Rhi McPhelimEvery year as the Summer bids adieu, Monaghan Town transforms into a buzzing hub of blues music during the first weekend of September.
Running since 1990, the Harvest Time Blues Festival boasts a rich history of legendary performers. Van Morrison, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, ex-The Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, Johnny Gallagher and the Boxty Band, Dom Martin and many more have all graced the town’s stages.
Recent headliners have included Bronagh Gallagher, Hothouse Flowers, FRANK, Gráinne Duffy, Band of Friends, Anthony Gomes and Rob Strong.
With over 40 acts to see, the festival is a melting pot of talent year-on-year. It draws in everything from local talent to internationally acclaimed performers from the UK, mainland Europe, and the USA.
With the exception of the headline shows, everything is also free.
2026’s Lineup
This year’s lineup was slowly revealed between April and August. Headliners were revealed first, with the daytime/early evening gig trail across the town soon following.
FRIDAY HEADLINERS
A Donegal double-whammy: Rising traditional blues star Muireann Bradley followed by seasoned Bundoran blues-rocker Johnny Gallagher.
SATURDAY HEADLINERS
Saturday usually sees at least one international headliner. This year, we were treated to two: Powerful vocalist Rebecca Downes and Earl Thomas, both from the UK.
SUNDAY HEADLINER
“The Commitments” star and soul artist Andrew Strong.
THE GIG TRAIL LINEUP
The Revolutionaires (UK), Santiago and The Soulmovers (ARG), Clara Rose (IE), Niamh Strong (IE), Villers & The Villains (NI), Austin Walkin’ Cane (USA), The Two Five Ones (IE), Eric Bell (formerly Thin Lizzy, IE), Ben Reel (NI), Ronnie Greer & Special Guests (NI) and more:
Poc The Blues – A Festival Within A Festival
There is also a second blues festival that runs simultaneously on the same weekend in the town. Held in The Poc Fada pub, it’s only a stone’s throw away from the Harvest Time Blues stages. Called ‘Poc The Blues’, the pub split from the Harvest Time Blues group years ago to host their own event.
Their line-up for 2026 included renowned blues guitarist Paul Sherry, gypsy jazz, Balkan and rock fusion band Sun Merchant (the new project from Stephen McGrath of Crow Black Chicken), the legendary Pat McManus and more.
Review – Muireann Bradley
Kicking off Friday night’s Harvest Time Blues Festival line-up was Donegal blues-guitarist and singer-songwriter Muireann Bradley. Her first appearance in Monaghan, the gig sold out on the afternoon of show day. The venue was quickly upgraded to the nightclub next door. A last-minute panic for tickets, clearly!
Muireann appeared onstage at 8pm on the dot, with two guitars on stands to her left and right. Soft-spoken, polite and perhaps a bit shy, she warmed up the crowd instantly with her rendition of “Candyman”. This was the song that brought her to international recognition in 2023, when she performed it on Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny.
With a warm Ballybofey accent, she introduced her second song – an original single released in June titled “Not Going Back’”. Though I was well-engaged after “Candyman”, I perked up to the opportunity to hear her original work shine early in the set. In a word, it was stunning.
A second original, released just that day, titled “Dancing On My Grave”, came later. It too leaned into a dark, somewhat gothic blues style and was equally as captivating. With her dark hair, light eyes and fair natural skin, she delivers the style beautifully through look and sound.
Firing out back to back renditions of classic blues repertoire, “Black Horse Blues” was a standout pick. I found myself studying her fingerpicking – an incredible separate entity to her powerful voice, which at times she could pull back to a bright, soft head voice. More often though, she let her belt sweep through the audience. Those songs always ended in rapturous applause.
The second-half of the set included a crystal-clear rendition of “Jolene” from the late Dolly Parton. Tapping into a few Mississippi John Hurt and Memphis Minnie songs, she wore her influences proudly throughout the night.
Ending with an original – “No Name Blues”, which she penned with her father – it was a firecracker finish. Though her set time stated “strictly 8-9pm”, the thunderous cheer after her finale convinced her quickly to come back out and perform a final encore.
Verdict
At only nineteen, Muireann Bradley is undeniably devoted to her craft. Decades of challenging herself and improving her dexterity and tempo will fall into place as she continues to sing with the passion and wisdom of the greats that have come before her.
Her original work matched the quality of her renditions. I was just as eager to hear the next original as I was to see her fingerpick the fastest of blues licks from hundred-year-old songs.
If you’re searching for a small-scale festival with high-quality music around every corner, consider picking up a very fairly-priced weekend ticket for next year’s Harvest Time Blues festival.
Favourites typically return every three to five years to headline (e.g. Johnny Gallagher, Band of Friends, Clara Rose, Dom Martin). Monaghan will only wish that Muireann Bradley makes her return sooner rather than later.
