Every August, I look forward to covering the Pairc Festival, Birmingham's annual celebration of Irish music and culture. As always, there was a great atmosphere as the crowds descended upon King's Heath and it was great to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. 

This year's line up contained a wide variety of artists and this was exemplified by the top of the bill performers, with the contrast of Riverdance on the first night and Bob Geldof on the second.  The music on both days ranged from the raucous to the reflective and it was particularly interesting to hear the different interpretations of standards such as "The Fields Of Athenry," "Galway Girl," "Las Vegas In The Hills Of Donegal" and "N17."  As well as the headliners, we had The Whistlin Donkeys, Mike Denver, All Folk'd Up, Ruaile Buaile, Kiera Dignam and The Bible Code Sundays for Saturday entertainment, with Nathan Carter, The Tumbling Paddies, The Sharon Shannon, Frances Black and Mary Coughlan Trio, Boyzlife, George Murphy And The Rising Sons and Sean Magee on the Sunday. With so much happening on the main stage, it was difficult to take everything in, but I could also hear some good music from the second stage (no indoor stage this year due to the closure of the Irish Centre). 

 All in all, a great weekend, with some really enjoyable sets and I am looking forward already to Pairc 2025. Thanks as always to the organisers for putting on such a great show and especially to Ciaran, for organising my visit. Long may this excellent weekend of music and celebration continue!