Tipperary players stop off in Kilkenny to enjoy Smithwick's Roots Festival

An exciting four days of music when the Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival is underway with music lovers coming from near and far.

Among those to sample what the Marble City has to offer this weekend, were the Tipperary Camogie team who stopped off in Christy's Bar on Saturday.

There are over 90 shows scheduled, with the big finale in Kyteler’s on Monday night featuring New Yorker Carsie Blanton and her band. The ‘sold out’ signs have already gone up on many events, but there is still plenty to enjoy on the ticketed and free events programme in venues throughout city.

A late addition to the festival programme is a gig proposed by Willy Vlautin of The Delines, who plan to raise a toast to festival founder member John Cleere.

"Join us and John’s friends at this special event for our old friend in the pub that bears his name,” Willie says. “Kilkenny has always been one of our favourite festivals and a lot of that is due to John Cleere.

"He’s been a great pal to the Delines and he’s also a cool hombre. So we wanted to do a show for him, to thank him for all his years of running the festival."

The festival has a strong record of introducing acts that are new to Irish audiences. Music fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of acts such as Ryan Davis and The Roadhouse Band, The Courettes, Jennie Don’t and the Spurs, and Lizzie No.

CHECK OUT WHAT'S ON AT THE KILKENNY ROOTS FESTIVAL HERE

TICKETS
Tickets for the individual shows are available through the festival website.

In addition to the ticketed shows, there will be over 70 gigs on the free Smithwick’s Music Trail in venues throughout Kilkenny City.

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