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heritage · Sunday 16 August 2026 · 10:00am 
Bluegrass BBQ: Cool Hand String Band and Ian Alexander
At Ulster American Folk Park · 2 Mellon Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, BT78 5QU
At Ulster American Folk Park · 2 Mellon Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, BT78 5QU
The Ulster American Folk Park has run its summer Bluegrass BBQ series as a way to bring the music of the Ulster-Scots emigrant tradition back to where it started - and this August afternoon is the final one of the season. It is a full day out rather than just a gig: live music across two outdoor sets, a food and drink stall serving American BBQ, and free run of the park’s acclaimed Stories of Us exhibition. It suits families, anyone with an interest in how Irish emigration shaped American music, and people who simply want a relaxed Sunday afternoon with good food and something worth listening to.
The headline act is Cool Hand String Band, four musicians from Omagh itself - Conor Conway on bass guitar, Nevin Colton on guitar and vocals, Bronagh Broderick on violin and vocals, and Gary McAleer on five-string banjo. They play two sets across the afternoon and are well known locally for a sound that takes classic bluegrass and puts its own stamp on it. Supporting them is Ian Alexander, who has played sessions across the southern United States and studied under figures including Bill Monroe and Doc Watson - his playing is both technically precise and unusually warm.
Both acts perform under a stretch tent, so the day runs whatever the weather. Between sets there is a family games field with cornhole, draughts and tin can alley. If you play yourself, there is an open mic stage running from noon to 5pm; book a 30-minute slot in advance by emailing [email protected]. The food stall offers low-and-slow American BBQ alongside bourbon, rye whiskey and American beer. Picnics are welcome; outside alcohol is not permitted, and bags are checked on entry.
Your ticket also covers the Stories of Us exhibition, the park’s main indoor experience, which traces the journeys of Ulster emigrants to North America through personal objects and reconstructed spaces.
The Ulster American Folk Park sits on the A5 roughly 3 km north of Omagh town centre on Mellon Road, Omagh, BT78 5QU. There is a large free car park at the entrance, well able to handle a busy Sunday. By bus, the Translink 273 Metrobus runs between Omagh and the park, but frequency is limited - check timetables on translink.co.uk before you go. A taxi from the town centre costs roughly £10 to £12 each way. From Belfast, take the M1 and A4 west, joining the A5 south of Omagh; the journey is around 90 minutes.
Omagh is a solid base for a day in mid-Tyrone, with good cafes and pubs in the town centre a short drive from the park. There is more to see in Omagh and across Co. Tyrone.
Heading to Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh? Tyrone has plenty more to see. Read the Omagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.