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Golf and music mix at this year's Irish Open in Portstewart

English pop-rock stars Scouting For Girls will perform at the closing ceremony of the Irish Open on July 9
English pop-rock stars Scouting For Girls will perform at the closing ceremony of the Irish Open on July 9 English pop-rock stars Scouting For Girls will perform at the closing ceremony of the Irish Open on July 9

IT won't be just golf that is on show during this year's Irish Open as Portstewart gears up to host a music festival to coincide with the world class golf competition.

More than 30 of Northern Ireland's finest musicians will be performing live in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and bars around the Co Derry town as part of the Midsummer Sessions.

Visitors will have the chance to see musicians in an intimate setting, with each artist playing their own music for one hour on the hour across Portstewart from July 6 to 9, with all admission free.

Joan Baird, mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens borough council, said: "With huge numbers of visitors expected in the area for the Irish Open it provides an exciting showcase for our home-grown musical talent.

"World class golf coupled with this fantastic line-up of entertainment means Portstewart is tee-ing up for a memorable start to the summer season."

Carolyn Mathers from the festival said: "Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its artistic talent and Midsummer Sessions is a perfect opportunity to showcase our creative energy to international audiences, who will have an opportunity to witness our finest singer-songwriters and bands play live in intimate environments".

It has also been revealed that English pop-rock stars Scouting For Girls will perform at the closing ceremony of the Irish Open on July 9, while indie rock stars Two Door Cinema Club, who hail from Co Down, will play a special homecoming gig at the opening ceremony on July 5.

For the first time at the event, a showstage in the championship village at Portstewart Golf Club will play host to the headline acts as well as a number of local singers and musicians.