Reviving the Castlebar Blues Festival in style

Ciara Moynihan

Castlebar was once known internationally for its annual blues festival, and many are of a mind that it's high time the renowned music event returned. With the aim of reviving the festival proper in 2017, the town will play host a range of blues gigs this weekend, May 13-15. All the gigs are taking place under the Castlebar Blues Revival banner.
Two names familiar to many from Castlebar Blues Festivals back in the day will be among those performing – James Fraher, who will play in Prendergast's on Friday night, and Peter Price, who will perform in Mulroy's on Saturday.
Fans can catch David King in the Irish House on May 13 and 14. No stranger to Castlebar, King has played numerous gigs over the last few months, building up a strong following with his acoustic blues.
Strange Brew, a three-piece from Longford, will bring their own unique take on blues and rock’n’Roll to Johnny McHale’s on Saturday night, while Drogheda’s StoneCold Hobo will see Bosh reverberate with blues, R&B and blues/rock on Friday night.
Crow Black Chicken, regulars in the west, are set to round off the Castlebar Blues Revival with a grand finale gig in Rocky’s Bar on Sunday, May 15.
The organisers say they are hoping to ‘tickle the Castlebar Blues Festival back into life’ by 2017. With this weekend’s line-up, they look guaranteed to do just that.