Established in 2019, Howth Roots and Blues Festival is now a firm favourite on the International music festival circuit. This rootsy festival, set in the picturesque fishing village of Howth just outside Dublin, celebrates the finest Irish roots and blues artists, along with some international talent. Expect an eclectic mix for fans of Blues, Blues Rock, Country, Bluegrass, and Americana.

Past festivals have even included Latin, Reggae and Ska while this year we are including some Afrobeat. Experience the charm of wandering from gig to gig along the free gig pub trail, much like at Electric Picnic, but without the need for a ticket.

With more than 30 free gigs across 5 unique venues around the village and the scenic hill of Howth and ticketed headline shows at the historic Abbey Tavern and Summit Inn, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience.

Our Headliners at The Abbey Tavern include internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter ‘Mundy’, the young blues sensation from Ballybofey ‘Muireann Bradley’, (Star of the Jools Holland Hootenanny), the wonderful singer Susan O’Neill with special guest Seamus Harty, soul legend Rob Strong and a Country Music Night featuring The Rye River Band and Tom Horan’s legends of country.

We are also creating 2 mini festivals in the new venue at The Summit Inn. On Sat Aug 9th its “The Guitar legends” with performances by Mal O’Brien, Mik Pyro with Dublin Blues Cartel and Brush Shiels. On Sun Aug 10th its “Women in Blues” with performances by the legendary Bree Harris, Blues rock goddess Grainne Duffy and the queen of the festival Mary Stokes and her amazing band.

FREE gigs:
Boye Papagee & Colours Afrobeat, Ben Reel, Dublin Soul, The Stonecold Hobo, The Susan Tomelty Band, Crazycrow, Frank (Fr), Sonic Saliva (DK), Jukedom Ft Dubh Lee, The Dead Letter Devils, Christy O’Hanlon, EEFFAA, Chief Keegan, The Backbone Blues Band, Winter Wilson (UK), The Ciaran Wynn Band, Ben Prevo, The Jam Tarts, Green Onions Experience (RO), Doc MacLean (USA), The Big Four, The Colm Skwirbat Band, Dermot Byrne & Danny Tobin, Garry Cogdell (USA), Luke Howard, Andres Roots (EE), Mark Delgado (USA), Darren A Flynn, Paddy Smith Band, Lighting Phil and the Sinisters,The Pan Handlers, Paul’s Festival Rootenanny

The festival venues include The Summit Inn, McNeills, The Bloody Stream, The Harbour Bar, Findlaters, O’Connells and The Abbey Tavern. Some of the venues have created outdoor spaces for summer gigs. O’Connells will have the East Pier Stage, The Bloody Stream has the well known Phil Lynott Stage in their tented beer garden. The Harbour Bar has the Garden Stage, an intimate outdoor performance space in their