Ukulele Hooley in Dún Laoghaire to host 2000 ukulele players

2000 ukulele players are expected to perform in the “Big Jam” at the Ukulele Hooley, back in Dún Laoghaire for its 15^thyear.

The event will host both amateurs and professionals, homegrown musicians and international artists, for a free festival in the People’s Park on August 22 and 23.

The “Big Jam” is the final performance of the Ukulele Hooley, with massive crowd-participation. Artists gather to play and sing together, following a thematic songbook released by the festival.

According to organisers, this year's theme is "weather." Players will perform songs such as ‘You are my Sunshine’ and ‘A Rainy Night in Soho’ by The Pogues. Past themes have included “transport,” “dance,” “blues” and “the sea.”

The lineup of ukulele artists includes Zoe Bestel from Scotland, Ukulollo (Lorenzo Vignando) from Italy and Larissa Leaves from Germany, as well as many Irish artists like Ukueristic Congress, Cool Hand Ukes and Dublin Ukulele Collective.

Supporting activities such as a flash mob, an open mic event, competitions, several workshops and a trip through south Dublin on an open double-decker bus filled with ukulele-playing artists will also take place during the festival.

“I  can promise a bigger and better festival this year," said Ukulele Hooley organiser, Niall Carty. "It’s a very unique music event that brings people together through the sheer joy that the ukulele brings."

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to support this joyful and inclusive event, which brings such positive energy and international attention to our beautiful town,” added Barry Saul, the current Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The full programme for the event is available to view here.