This May Bank Holiday weekend, the village of Ballydehob will once again burst into life as the Ballydehob Jazz Festival returns for its 20th edition, welcoming an estimated 8,000 visitors to the tiny seaside village of only 345 residents.

From April 30th to May 4th, Ballydehob will fill with music, street performances, dance, circus, puppetry and creativity, welcoming visitors from across Ireland and beyond to experience what has become one of the most colourful and joyful festivals on the Irish cultural calendar.

Festival director Joseph O’Leary says the anniversary edition is both a celebration and a homecoming. ‘It’s all about the friendships formed in this artistic and creative community. Over 20 festivals we’ve seen musicians, artists and audiences come together in Ballydehob to create something very special. This year is a gathering of the best of what has come before - a celebration of the music, the creativity and the people who made it all happen.’

Highlights include The Paul Dunlea Quintet, composer Benji Bower, Stephanie Nilles and Tom Deakin, and late night sessions with Canibal Dandies and the Blue Mockingbirds, Donal Dineen, and guest DJs. 

More information next week.