Howth Roots and Blues Festival

Lover of the Blues? Howth Roots and Blues Festival is back on this August 8th to 10th! The festival is mostly free, with venues scattered all over Howth and over 40 acts set to play over the weekend.

Established in 2019, this festival celebrates the finest Irish roots and blues artists, along with some international talent, and offers an eclectic mix for fans of Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Americana, and Reggae. Experience the charm of wandering from gig to gig, much like at Electric Picnic, but without the need for a ticket.

Past festivals have even included Latin, Reggae and Ska while this year we are including some Afrobeat. Experience the charm of wandering from gig to gig along the free gig pub trail, much like at Electric Picnic, but without the need for a ticket.

With more than 30 free gigs across 5 unique venues around the village and the scenic hill of Howth and ticketed headline shows at the historic Abbey Tavern and Summit Inn, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience.

The Headliners at The Abbey Tavern include internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter ‘Mundy’, the young blues sensation from Ballybofey ‘Muireann Bradley’, (Star of the Jools Holland Hootenanny), the wonderful singer Susan O’Neill with special guest Seamus Harty, soul legend Rob Strong and a Country Music Night featuring The Rye River Band and Tom Horan’s legends of country.

They are also creating 2 mini festivals in the new venue at The Summit Inn. On Sat Aug 9th its “The Guitar legends” with performances by Mal O’Brien, Mik Pyro with Dublin Blues Cartel and Brush Shiels. On Sun Aug 10th its “Women in Blues” with performances by the legendary Bree Harris, Blues rock goddess Grainne Duffy and the queen of the festival Mary Stokes and her amazing band.

Full Lineup of Free gigs:

Boye Papagee & Colours Afrobeat, Ben Reel, Dublin Soul, The Stonecold Hobo, The Susan Tomelty Band, Crazycrow, Frank (Fr), Sonic Saliva (DK), Jukedom Ft Dubh Lee, The Dead Letter Devils, Christy O’Hanlon, EEFFAA, Chief Keegan, The Backbone Blues Band, Winter Wilson (UK), The Ciaran Wynn Band, Ben Prevo, The Jam Tarts, Green Onions Experience (RO), Doc MacLean (USA), The Big Four, The Colm Skwirbat Band, Dermot Byrne & Danny Tobin, Garry Cogdell (USA), Luke Howard, Andres Roots (EE), Mark Delgado (USA), Darren A Flynn, Paddy Smith Band, Lighting Phil and the Sinisters,The Pan Handlers, Paul’s Festival Rootenanny.

Festival Venues

The festival venues include The Summit Inn, McNeills, The Bloody Stream, The Harbour Bar, Findlaters, O’Connells and The Abbey Tavern. Some of the venues have created outdoor spaces for summer gigs. O’Connells will have the East Pier Stage, The Bloody Stream has the well known Phil Lynott Stage in their tented beer garden. The Harbour Bar has the Garden Stage, an intimate outdoor performance space in their

Additional Information

The festival is set to run from the August 8th – 10th, and you can find additional information re tickets and paid acts on the official festival website here.