THE Midlands Music Festival on July 28-29 is an enterprising project bringing together a spectacular array of country music.

Taking place at Ballinlough Castle, Athboy, Co.Meath, in Ireland it promises to be a spectacular two-day event with afternoon and evening performances.

There will be a main stage area and two smaller indoor tented stages accommodating around 15,000 people.

Although it means a trip to the Emerald Isle, the venue is only 45 minutes drive from Dublin. It's the brainchild of Pod Concerts and Rag Lane Entertainment, who promote the Dixie Chicks and Jackson Browne. Camping is available or you can contact the Co.Meath Tourist Information service for hotels, B&B etc (+353 46 9247840).

Tickets are priced at £44.95 for Friday and £48.50 for Saturday, plus a two-day ticket at £83. Box Office: 0870 2434455 or www. ticketmaster. ie. Artists booked so far include: Van Morrison, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Yoakum, EmmyLou Harris, Loudon Wainwright111, Nanci Griffith, Don McLean, Glen Campbell with daughter Debby, Guy Clark, Albert Lee, The Saw Doctors, The HillBilly Allstars, Tony Joe White, Hacienda Brothers, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ricky Warwick, Charlie Landsborough, Hayseed Dixie, Darden Smith, and Prison Love.