MONAGHAN COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL MAKES RECORD-BREAKING RETURN

Last weekend’s Country Music Festival in Monaghan Town lit up the county with four days of unforgettable performances, community spirit, and dancing under the stars. Organised and brilliantly stewarded by an incredible team of volunteers, this festival was a testament to the power of unity and passion. Day One kicked off with a bang as the Tumbling Paddies took the stage. Massive crowds gathered, and the infectious energy had everyone dancing the night away, setting the tone for the thrilling days to come. Night Two featured the charismatic Jimmy Buckley. Even a touch of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic crowd, who danced into the early hours, proving that a little drizzle only added to the magical atmosphere.

On Saturday afternoon, Monaghan Town was graced with a dazzling display of line dancing by the awardwinning Shufflin’ Boots. Their precision and flair captivated the audience and brought an extra sparkle to the festival. Night Three belonged to the magnificent Mike Denver, who drew near-capacity crowds to the Diamond area. His magnetic performance had everyone singing along and swaying to the rhythm, making it a truly unforgettable evening. Sunday saw the much-anticipated return of the Jiving Competition, drawing 31 dynamic dancing couples from Malin Head to Mizen Head . Ireland’s most competitive jiving contest was a whirlwind of twirls and kicks on the bespoke dance floor sponsored by Kingspan Century. The winners were: 1st Place: Jamie Larkin from Armagh, partnered with Robert Irvine from Down 2nd Place: Michelle Doherty from Donegal, partnered with Greg Bradley from Donegal 3rd Place: Megan Byrne from Wexford, partnered with Pauric West from….