Clon strikes up the band as hundreds of musicians head to town

Visitor accommodation is at a premium as a West Cork town gears up for the arrival of some 1,500 musicians and hundreds more friends, guests and fans of the popular South of Ireland Band Championships.

A loud and very colourful weekend is promised as Clonakilty’s Old-Time Fair also takes place this coming weekend.

A record number of bands, at 33, including the Tacoma Concert Band from Washington State, feature in the 39th Championships which run in the community hall and the local Gaelscoil, with rehearsals in the Clonakilty Community College.