The Howth Roots and Blues Festival, scheduled for 8 to 10 August offers a three-day programme of music across multiple venues. Visitors can expect a mix of free and ticketed performances, with around 30 free gigs across six venues, including The Summit Inn, McNeills, The Bloody Stream, The Harbour Bar, Findlaters, and O’Connells, alongside seven ticketed headline shows at the Abbey Tavern and Howth Angling Centre.
The 2025 lineup includes artists such as Mundy, Muireann Bradley, Rob Strong, Bree Harris, Mary Stokes, Gráinne Duffy, Mik Pyro’s Dublin Blues Cartel, Brush Shiels, and Mal O’Brien, with additional free performances by Eamonn Flynn & Dublin Soul, Seamus Harty, Frank, Sonic Saliva, and The Susan Tomelty Band.
The festival spans genres like blues, country, bluegrass, Americana, and reggae, catering to a wide audience. Venues feature outdoor stages, such as the Phil Lynott Stage at The Bloody Stream’s tented beer garden, the Tramline Stage at The Summit Inn, and the East Pier Stage at O’Connells, enhancing the open-air experience.
Family-friendly elements include free entry for all ages to most gigs, and campervan parking is available at Suttonians RFC, a short DART ride away, with extended late-night DART services for festivalgoers. Visitors can explore Howth’s seafood restaurants, scenic cliff walks, and Ireland’s Eye via ferry, with accommodation options like the Marine Hotel or local guesthouses.
Initiated in 2018 by Paul Byrne, drummer of the Irish band In Tua Nua, the festival built on earlier local events, including a jazz festival and a 2017 music initiative by The Summit and McNeills pubs. Byrne restructured the event to focus on roots and blues, aiming for an accessible, community-driven experience. Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event, attracting thousands with its mostly free format, supported by sponsors like Guinness and Fingal County Council. Paul Byrne remains the director, curating a blend of Irish and international talent while maintaining the festival’s intimate, village atmosphere. The 2024 event featured 36 free gigs and five headline shows, a model likely to continue in 2025, with artists like Mary Coughlan and Crow Black Chicken having performed previously.
The festival’s setting in Howth’s picturesque fishing village, with its coastal charm and vibrant culinary scene, complements the music, offering visitors a chance to enjoy local fish and chips or craft beers between gigs. The 2025 edition will uphold its commitment to accessibility, with most performances free and a focus on fostering connections between artists and audiences. Visitors are advised to check www.howthrootsandblues.com for the full programme and ticket details, expected closer to the event, and to book accommodation early due to high demand.
