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Moville's DylanFest is on

Posted Thursday, June 4, 2009

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DylanFest

Moville's DylanFest will take place from July 2nd to 5th this year.

All the pubs who were in it last year, and that are still open, will be in it again this year. They are Rosatos, Rawdons, Caiseal Mara, Town Clock and Maguires. Sadly The Waterfront, which burned down, and The Foyle Hotel, which closed its doors, won't be able to take part this year.

Moville's DylanFest is the only one in Ireland and it is now in its third year. It is one of only seven DylanFests in the world. The others are in upstate New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Berlin, near Milan in Italy and Manchester.

Manchester DylanFest

Said organiser Gerry McLaughlin "One may think that Moville is a bit out of place compared to the others but the Manchester DylanFest, which is in its second year and will take place in late August, actually got the idea from Moville. Indeed, as least one of Moville's own will be playing a set there this year.

"Last year the organisers of the Berlin DylanFest, Germany's top Dylan band, PetTommy and The Heartbeats played Moville's DylanFest as did the Slow Train Band who topped the bill in Italy.

"Moville's DylanFest is the only multi-venue DylanFest in the world and the only one that takes place in both the pubs and streets and the only one which takes place over four days. The majority of the rest take place in on pub over one or two days.

Booking Acts

"It is early stages as far as booking acts are concerned but we are talking to some of the acts that played last year such as Steph Buhe from France who played both Rawdons and Rosatos as well as Donegal's top band The Plea from Ballyliffin who were such a huge success last year in Caiseal Mara.

"Other acts have been added since last year and it will now be down to the pubs to see who they want to book.

"It is not known yet if the pubs want to book an act for the streets or the main square. We will know soon".

Last year Moville's Gulladuff Hostel was full to the rafters and had the Full Up signs as early as the Friday afternoon of the DylanFest. It wasn't just the hostel itself but there were lots of campers and people in camper vans staying there for the duration. Said hostel owner Seamus Canavan "That's the most tents I've seen since the days of Geronimo. There were people playing Dylan sonsg on guitars everywhere, up trees, round corners etc. It was like a the sixties again - a mini Woodstock".

Official Festival Location

Indeed, the Gulladuff hostel is now looking to become part of the official festival and are involved in talks with the organisers to put some acts on there this year. With the wooded setting and the oldset bridge in Ireland in the grounds it would make a magnificent setting and young Dylan fans could experience a touch of the sixties there this year.

For further information and accommodation at the DylanFest see www.CraicOn.com/moville