Harvest Time Blues
| Harvest Time Blues | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Blues, Funk, Soul, Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Reggae. |
| Dates | First weekend of September (3/4 days)[1] |
| Location(s) | Monaghan, Ireland |
| Years active | 1990–2001, 2007-present |
| Founded by | Somhairle MacConghail, Seamus McKenna |
| Website | |
| harvestblues.com | |
Harvest Time Blues (also referred to as the Monaghan Rhythm and Blues Festival) is an annual music festival held in Monaghan town, in Ireland. Since its launch in 1990, it has become one of the "one of Ireland's leading live music festivals".[2] Several noted performers have appeared at the festival, including Van Morrison, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, and ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.[3]
Location
Coordinates: 54°14′52″N 6°58′15″W / 54.2479°N 6.9708°W
The festival takes place in Monaghan town, which is located in the north of the Republic of Ireland, 90 minutes drive north-west of Dublin.
Festival venues are located across the town, though the main stage is typically located in a large marquee in the New Road/Glen Road car park. Pubs across the town play host to smaller gigs in what is collectively known as the Blues Trail.[4]
History
The first Harvest Time Blues festival took place in 1990, to "promote and enrich the cultural life of Monaghan, the North-East and Ireland". The festival was an initiative between Somhairle MacConghail, the Arts Officer for County Monaghan, and local publican and blues enthusiast Seamus McKenna. The festival has taken place every September since, except between the years of 2001 and 2006, and was originally sponsored by Heineken. Several noted performers have appeared at the festival over the years, including Van Morrison in 1998, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, and ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.[3]
