Country fans in County Down will be heading North on Saturday 4th June.
Top country and western star Jimmy Buckley is headlining the Smyth’s Barn Dance in Dungiven in aid of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
The annual event, organised by the Smyth family, attracts country music lovers from as far afield as Omagh, Enniskillen and Ballycastle and so far has raised an impressive £62,000 for the charity over the last eight years. Around 1,500 country music fans are expected to attend.
Cancer Focus NI will use the money raised by this year’s dance for cutting-edge research into breast cancer which it funds at Queen’s University Belfast.
The doors open from 9pm to 11pm and DJ for the evening is Stephen Doherty. The tickets cost £15 and western dress is optional.
Local farmer Andy Smyth, who is the driving force behind the charity barn dance, said: “I chose to support Cancer Focus NI because of the support it gives to ground-breaking research being carried out at Queen’s.
“Cancer has affected by family a lot over the years. My mum survived bowel cancer, her sister had a mastectomy and all three of her brothers died from cancer. We wanted to support a charity that funds research into this terrible disease and Cancer Focus NI fitted the bill perfectly.
Anne Eakin, Chair of the Claudy Cancer Focus Group, said: “Our local Cancer Focus NI fundraising group is delighted to work with Andy and his family at the barn dances and happy to assist with the finances at the event.
“The money raised from local events like this is so important to help ensure that Cancer Focus NI can continue with its good work. We congratulate the family for their hard work and dedication raising such a magnificent sum over the past eight years.”
Tickets for the barn dance can be bought from Andy Smyth, call 07740 531 070.
They are also available from a variety of local outlets including: Evan’s Music Shop, Magherafelt, Cool Discs , L’derry, Cameron’s Music Shop, Ballymena, Stewart’s Music Shop, Dungannon, Bell’s Mobile Chippy, Fintona, Patterson’s Chippy, Limavady, DW Printhouse, Maydown, Jean’s Country Store, Omagh, Grey Gables, Dungiven, Beaufort Hotel, Claudy, Belfray Country Inn, Glenshane Road, Roe Park Resort, Limavady, and Killunaght House B & B and Edenroe B&B, both Dungiven.
Anyone who has any concerns about cancer can call the Cancer Focus NI free helpline on 0800 783 3339, or visit:
for more information about the charity.
