World record attempt at banjo festival

The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival will bring a range of events to multiple venues in and around Tullamore - including a world record attempt for the largest number of floating banjo players! The record bid is being organised by the Ballycommon Canal Renewal Group and the Offaly branch of the Inland Waterways Association, in association with the banjo festival. It's hoped that in the region of 250 banjo players will gather on barges on Saturday afternoon, September 22. Those interested in taking part are asked to come to Tullamore Harbour (opposite the priest's house) at 2.30pm, for registration ahead of the 3pm record attempt. Running from September 20 to 23, the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival will see nightly concerts and workshops at the Tullamore Court Hotel. There will be numerous other events around the town, such as craft stalls and free open air concerts in O'Connor Square on the Saturday and Sunday (from 1-5pm), live music sessions in 18 of Tullamore's pubs, and a busking competition. While it is the 11th year of the festival, it is the first time for Tullamore to host it. Performers lined up to play at the festival's nightly concerts include the Barcelona Bluegrass Band, Suzy Bogguss and Don Rigsby & Charlie Sizemore as well as Ireland's own Paul Brady and Offaly's own Mundy. Further information is available by logging on to www.johnnykeenan.com