As months go, January, in all its frugal, funless glory, seems to go on for so long that it’s nice to know there is, in fact, an end in sight.

We can’t think of a better way to see out its last bleak days than seated at the cosy bar of Levi’s Corner House in Ballydehob, sipping a pint and listening to the smooth strains of American bluegrass.

As luck would have it, Levi’s is hosting ‘Heart & Home’ – A Celebration of Old Time, Good Times & Bluegrass Music at the end of the month… and not a moment too soon.

Taking place in the village of Ballydehob from Friday, January 26th to Sunday, 28th, the get-together will see an unbelievable line-up of bluegrass musicians descend on the coastal town to perform in its various atmospheric venues.

Heart & Home will be made up of two main events; The Showdown Concert (this will take place in Ballydehob Hall) and The Hoedown Music Trail featuring The Propane Brothers and The Hubert Murray Group (this runs in venues throughout the village, free-of-charge).

Headlining the weekend are the Greg Blake Bluegrass Band. Greg previously performed with the Jeff Scroggins Band in a sold-out show at Levis Corner House and returns with a steller line-up of some of the most highly regarded bluegrass musicians in America today – including two Grammy Award winners – John Reishchman and Sally Van Meter.

Joining them will be Mark Schatz on bass (twice winner of The International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year), Elaine Sprouse on fiddle and Keith Reid on the banjo.

The Showdown Concert take place in the Ballydehob Hall and tickets (€20) can be purchased directly from Levis Corner House, Post Office, Rosie’s Bar and online here. If you’re keen to make a weekend of it, a list of local cottages and apartments for rent is available here.

The fun draws to a close on Sunday with a lunchtime session at Levi’s for all the family.

And then, just a few days later, it’ll be February at last.