Craic On

Culdaff DylanFest

After a meeting in Culdaff this week, the three pubs and restaurants in Culdaff have agreed to join Moville in putting on the DylanFest on the Lough. It will run, the same as Moville, from August 22nd to 26th.

The three venues will be McGrory’s Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, the Bonner Inn Culdaff Arms and McGuinness’ Bar.

Said organiser Gerry McLaughlin “I’m very excited by the enthusiasm of the bars there for the Dylan festival and in the way they are all able to work together. Culdaff is a fantastic location for a music festival with its fantastic beaches and scenery”.

Music Every Night

The venues will put on music on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. They will also put music acts on in the late afternoon / early evening on the Saturday and Sunday.

According to Bar Manager of McGrory’s, Colm Harkin “the population of Culdaff is only 267 according to the 2016 census, however, in summer it goes up to 1,500 – around the same as Moville’s population”.

The way that the festival came about was that organiser, Gerry Mclaughlin was in McGrory’s Bar last year with a couple of companions when Colm asked him if he had any acts for the Saturday might of the DylanFest. Colm was in luck as star act Al Diesan was available for the Saturday night.

Al Diesan from Sardinia

Unfortunately Al had to call off late due to ill health. However, local Dylan musician, Shaun Hiboy, was able to deputise successfully for Al. So much so that McGrory’s wanted to be in for the whole festival this year and got the other pubs on board.

All it needed was a meeting of all the pubs with the organiser Gerry, which took place this week and it was all systems go.

I should imagine many people will enjoy the beach during the day and then stay on for the Open Mic sessions and music acts in the late afternoon / early evening before taking on some acts at night.

I can’t wait!