Crana Country Sessions to bring music, dancing and entertainment

Crana Country Sessions is set to bring big country music to Buncrana this Friday night

Buncrana is set to come alive with country music, jiving and all types of dancing this Friday night, September 18, as the inaugural Crana Country Sessions takes over The Plaza from 8.30 pm as part of the town’s Culture Night celebrations.

Organised by McMyler Events, the event is funded by the Buncrana Night-Time Economy Initiative through Donegal County Council and promises a lively night of music, dancing and community spirit in the heart of Buncrana.

The night will feature live performances from Jack Larry and Jason McCahill, two popular names on Donegal’s country music scene who regularly perform at venues and festivals across Ireland.

There will also be plenty happening on the dance floor, with jiving and line dancing, waltzing and quickstep throughout the night and a special Jiving Competition.

Adding to the excitement, 2025 All-Ireland Jiving Champion Niamh Doyle will attend as a special guest and judge — and organisers say the audience may even get the chance to see the All-Ireland champion herself take to the floor.

The event forms part of a packed programme for Culture Night in Buncrana, with more than ten events taking place across the town from 6 pm until late.

For McMyler Events Director Adrian McMyler, Friday night will also mark his first event since returning home from Australia and relaunching his events, tourism and promotions business.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s event, Adrian said: “I’m really looking forward to finally bringing Crana Country Sessions to The Plaza this Friday night. Country music, jiving and line dancing are such a massive part of Irish culture and community life, particularly here in Donegal, so Culture Night is the perfect night to launch it.

“We want people to come out, enjoy themselves and make a night of it. Whether you’re a serious jiver, love line dancing, are a country music fan or just fancy a brilliant night out, everyone is welcome.

“This is only the beginning for Crana Country Sessions. We have ambitious plans for 2027 and beyond, and I’d love to see Buncrana develop into a real destination for country music events while supporting our local artists, businesses and night-time economy.”

As part of the Buncrana Night-Time Economy Initiative, a late-night bus service will operate after Friday night’s Culture Night celebrations, giving people from across Inishowen another option for getting home safely.

The service will depart Buncrana at 1.00 am, travelling through Clonmany, Ballyliffin, Carndonagh, Drumaville, Culdaff, Gleneely, Moville and Greencastle.

Sophie Gallagher of Donegal County Council said: “We are delighted to support Crana Country Sessions through the Buncrana Night-Time Economy Initiative. This is one of more than ten events taking place in Buncrana on Culture Night from 6 pm.

“The late-night bus service will also be available on Culture Night, allowing people from across Inishowen to enjoy the evening knowing they have a safe and reliable way to get home afterwards. Supporting events like this helps strengthen Buncrana’s evening economy, showcases local talent and creates memorable experiences for both local people and visitors.”

The Plaza manager Ursula McDaid said the venue is looking forward to welcoming country music fans through its doors on Friday night.

“We are delighted to host the inaugural Crana Country Sessions at The Plaza,” she said. “Country music has an incredible following across Ireland, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from throughout Donegal and beyond for what promises to be a fantastic evening of music, dancing and entertainment. We wish Adrian and the McMyler Events team every success with this exciting new venture.”

Adrian also thanked those who have helped make Friday’s event possible: “I’d like to sincerely thank Sophie Gallagher and Donegal County Council for their fantastic support through the Buncrana Night-Time Economy Initiative, Ursula McDaid and everyone at The Plaza, our special guest Niamh Doyle, and Barbara Doherty and Mary Crawford from The Right Angle for their outstanding promotional support. Their encouragement and belief in the event have been greatly appreciated.”

Doors open at The Plaza at 8.30 pm this Friday, with dancing getting underway from 9.00 pm. Admission is €12. Pay at the door: cash only, or get your tickets online. Tickets are in huge demand and are selling fast!

With Friday night fast approaching, organisers are encouraging country music fans to get their dancing shoes ready and come along for the first-ever Crana Country Sessions.

So dust off the cowboy boots, grab the cowboy hat and get ready for a Crana Country Showdown this Friday night!

Whether you’re a seasoned jiver, a line-dancing waltzer, quick stepper, regular, or simply love a great country night out, The Plaza is the place to be this Culture Night — for what organisers hope will be the first of many Crana Country Sessions in Buncrana.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.