TG4, Ireland’s Irish-language television station, and Power Pictures, have announced a new four-part series, Blas Bluegrass, which explores the Irish bluegrass scene, and the deep-rooted connections between Irish traditional music and American old-time and bluegrass music.
People in the US have long noted the important contributions that Celtic and British Isles folk music in general had made to the string music developed in the Appalachian regions, as the artists who first played it were of UK descent. It will be quite interesting to see the same story told from the old county perspective.
Blas Bluegrass will be hosted by Enda Scahill, founder of We Banjo 3, and a celebrated four-string banjoist from Galway.
Live performance footage was captured during the 2025 Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, held each year in County Mayo in the town of Westport. Enda interviews both Irish and American artists on the topic of the program, and we also get to see jam sessions that involve Celtic, bluegrass, and old time musicians playing together.
Over the course of the four episodes, music will be shared by The Cox Family, The Burnett Sisters Band, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Sylamore Special, and several others.
The first episode airs this Sunday, June 4, at 9:30 p.m. (Irish time), and can be viewed worldwide using the TG4 video player.
Here’s a preview.
Should be a fun one to watch!
