They are already gearing up for the fourth South East Music Festival down in Wexford. This year’s event will be held on July 28 at the Bannow-Rathangan Show Grounds at Killag and will feature six hours of music from 1-7pm.

Stretching back to the showband era, there has long been a great fondness for music around Wexford and all the top bands of former times played the various dancehalls and marquees around the county, especially in the showband days of the 1960s and the country music boom of the 1970s.

That fondness for country music has endured and finds a ready home in the hearts of many in the southeast. This is reflected in the popularity of shows such as Tony Kehoe’s on South East Radio where new releases and country classics blend well to capture a very loyal clientele not just in Wexford but in neighbouring counties.

Matt Reville, who is chair of the organising committee, says they are hoping to attract many new people from Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wicklow this time. “We will be expanding our advertising base in that regard and we are confident we have a fine line up to deliver another top class show this year.

“Our local community are so helpful and encouraging and so many people are delighted to be able to lend a helping hand on the door and extend a warm welcome to all who come to visit us.”

Michael English and his band will open the show at 1pm and they will be followed by Jimmy Buckley and Cliona Hagan who will perform with the acclaimed Conquerors Band. It is around 25 years since Jimmy launched on the country scene in the mid-90s and the Limerick native also tours as part of The Three Amigos.

Derek Ryan and his band will perform from 5-7pm and send the folks home with smiling faces before the curtains fall on a July day down in Wexford.

Tony Kehoe will once again be hosting the show and he is assured of warm and ready help from the very supportive committee.

Tickets are on sale at €25 from the usual outlets and can also be booked online at eventbrite.ie. Children under 12 are free to attend if accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Further details in relation to tickets can be had by calling 089 2029871.

Regular updates can also be had by checking the South East Country Music Festival web and Facebook page.