1,000 Free Pints Up for Grabs at Cowboys and Heroes
Ireland’s biggest country music festival returns to Ballinamore
Country music fans heading to Ballinamore for this year’s Cowboys and Heroes festival could be in for an extra treat — with organisers announcing they will give away 1,000 free pints over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
The hugely popular festival returns on May 30 and 31, with organisers confirming free pint vouchers will be handed out across Ballinamore on both Saturday and Sunday. The vouchers will be valid before 8pm, with strictly one per customer.
Festival organiser Simon Power said the event has grown massively since its early beginnings over a decade ago.
“We started with a Garth Brooks tribute act 12 years ago and we have grown into one of the biggest country events on the calendar,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see so many young people getting involved, especially in the jiving scene. We have our challenges every year to overcome but when we see those crowds having such an amazing time it makes it all worth it.”
He added: “There are few jobs I can think of that give such satisfaction when you can pull off a great festival weekend.”
This year’s line-up is one of the strongest yet, featuring some of the biggest names in Irish country music including The Tumbling Paddies, Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Michael English, Johnny Brady, Cliona Hagan, Clodagh Lawlor, Gavin Gribben, Paul Kelly and Mick Flavin.
Festival-goers can also look forward to a packed schedule of entertainment beyond the music, including a Country Star Competition, line dancing competitions and barrel racing events, with €1,000 prize money up for grabs.
Mr Power said country music continues to grow in popularity across Ireland.
“I feel like country music has never been more popular in Ireland,” he said.
The festival has also become well known for its lively jiving scene, with Declan Flannagan returning as the event’s dance teacher.
“Declan Flannagan is our amazing dancing teacher,” Mr Power added.
Cowboys and Heroes has become one of the biggest annual events in the north west, drawing thousands of country music fans to Ballinamore every June Bank Holiday weekend.