Harvest Time Blues (also referred to as the Monaghan Rhythm and Blues Festival) is an annual music festival held in Monaghan town, in Ireland. Since its launch in 1990, it has been described as "one of Ireland's leading live music festivals".[2] Performers appearing at the festival have included Van Morrison, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, and ex-The Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.[3]

Harvest Time Blues
Harvest Time Blues 2010
Flyer for 2010 event
GenreBlues, Funk, Soul, Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Reggae.
DatesFirst weekend of September (3/4 days)[1]
Location(s)Monaghan, Ireland
Years active1990–2001, 2007–present
FoundersSomhairle MacConghail, Seamus McKenna
Websiteharvestblues.ie

Location

edit

54°14′52″N 6°58′15″W / 54.2479°N 6.9708°W / 54.2479; -6.9708 The festival takes place in Monaghan town, with venues located across the town, and a main stage typically located in a large marquee in the New Road/Glen Road car park. Pubs across the town play host to smaller gigs in what is collectively known as the "Blues Trail".[4]

History

edit

The first Harvest Time Blues festival took place in 1990, to "promote and enrich the cultural life of Monaghan, the North-East and Ireland".[weasel words][citation needed] The festival was an initiative between Somhairle MacConghail, the Arts Officer for County Monaghan, and local publican and blues enthusiast Seamus McKenna.[citation needed] The festival has taken place every September since, except between the years of 2001 and 2006, and was originally sponsored by Heineken.[citation needed] Performers who have appeared at the festival over the years have included Van Morrison in 1998, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, and ex-The Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.[3]

 
Tommy Castro at Harvest Time Blues 2007

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "> Press release 2010". Harvestblues.ie. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  2. ^ "GulliverIreland.com". Goireland.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Towns and Villages in County Monaghan – Monaghan". Monaghantourism.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Take a break at one of Ireland's many autumn festivals". Galway Advertiser. 5 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
edit