The scenic town of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland plays host to the 22nd Irish Country Music Festival from 7th to 12th September 2014 with performances from leading country music bands at The Gleneagle Hotel.

Situated by the world-famous Killarney National Park and Lakes, The Gleneagle Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for the six-day festival of country and folk music, with artists including Michael English and band, Louise Morrisey, The Shaun Michael Band, Curtis Magee, Jimmy Buckley and Stephen Smyth performing in the grand ballroom.

The annual festival will appeal to country music enthusiasts who can enjoy bespoke packages of five nights' accommodation including dinner, breakfast and entertainment for just £416 per person, based on two sharing.

Optional airport transfers are available and visitors can fly direct to Kerry from London with Ryanair from just £87.98 return* or to Cork from 11 UK departure airports with a choice of airlines.

Ferry-inclusive packages by coach cost just £629 per person for a week, which includes travel, dinner, breakfast, entertainment and day trips, with coaches departing from Devon, Somerset or South Wales.

Festival guests will also enjoy a gala dinner, cabaret and dancing, as well as the many hotel facilities which include a choice of restaurants and bars, swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness centre, pitch and putt, free WiFi and free residents' parking.

To book visit www.shaunmichael.co.uk/killarney.html or call 01984 629257.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dee Gallagher or Dawn Comber at Spice PR on 0845 0940 396 or email: dee.gallagher@spicepr.co.uk or dawn.comber@spicepr.co.uk  

Notes to editor

The festival is arranged by S&J Promotions in Somerset; specialists in music holidays.

Find out more about The Gleneagle Hotel at www.gleneaglehotel.com

*Based on departure from London Stansted 7/9/14 returning 12/9/14. See www.ryanair.com
Ferry crossings provided with StenaLine from Fishguard to Rosslare

More about the artists:

Michael English – acclaimed artist Michael has been the recipient of numerous awards during his career including International Entertainer of the Year (2012) the Irish Entertainment Awards Best Album of the Year (2010), Number One Selling Album (2008, 2009), Solo Artist of the Year (2009) and many more. See www.michaelenglish.ie

Louise Morrisey – one of Ireland's best loved singers and entertainers, Louise has achieved great success in both Ireland and the UK, and has brought her easy style of country and folk to many other countries, including the USA, Canada and the Middle East. She has also toured Australia and worked with her band in Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Switzerland. See www.louisemorrissey.com

Shaun  Michael – country singer Shaun is well known for his ballads, having performed in the UK and Ireland for over 25 years but his repertoire also includes traditional Irish songs, country music and sixties favourites. See www.shaunmichael.co.uk/about.html

Curtis Magee - leading solo entertainer Curtis' broad repertoire includes Irish ballads, country, gospel, singalongs and music of the fifties and sixties. He performs regularly in the UK and Ireland as well as further afield in Spain, Portugal, America and Australia. See www.curtismagee.com

Jimmy Buckley - citing his musical influences as Elvis and Buddy Holly, Jimmy Buckley is already renowned in Ireland, with a growing UK audience. In 2007 his first DVD won the Irish World DVD of the Year award. He released a second DVD the following year and is currently working on a new album. See www.jimmy-buckley.com

Stephen Smyth - with regular tour dates in the UK and Ireland, Stephen Smyth has recently released Classic Country; his eighth album to date. Find out more at www.stephensmythband.co.uk