Two thousand ukulele players to take part in Big Jam as part of the annual Ukulele Hooley

Two thousand ukulele players, both amateur and professional, will be in tune for the Big Jam at the world-famous Ukulele Hooley, which is back in Dún Laoghaire in August for its 15th year.

And the organisers will be hoping for the usual sunshine as the theme of the Big Jam this year is weather, which will see ukulele players take on songs such as 'You Are My Sunshine' and 'Rainy Night in Soho'.

The Ukulele Hooley will feature home-grown and international ukulele players on stage for a free concert in the People's Park, Dún Laoghaire, on Sunday, 23 August.

The Hooley will run from Saturday, 22 August, to Sunday, 23 August, with the usual popular features such as the Bus Busk, Flash Mob, Open Mic, UKE Factor Competition and workshops, ending with the Big Concert in the People's Park on Sunday afternoon.

The longest-running ukulele festival in Europe, which is supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, will see ukulele performers from the UK, Italy and Germany, alongside a host of home-grown players.

The exciting line-up includes Zoë Bestel (Scotland), Lorenzo Vignando ('Ukulollo') (Italy), Larissa Leaves (Germany), and Ukeristic Congress, Dublin Ukulele Collective, Cool Hand Ukes, Ukulele Tuesday, RUGS and Ukuhooligans, all from Ireland.

An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor Barry Saul, added:

"We are delighted to welcome the return of the Ukulele Hooley to Dún Laoghaire this August. Now in its 15th year, the festival has become a vibrant celebration of music, community and creativity that draws visitors from all over the world. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to support this joyful and inclusive event, which brings such positive energy and international attention to our beautiful town."

The Hooley organiser, Niall Carty, said:

"I can promise a bigger and better festival this year. It's a very unique music event that brings people together through the sheer joy that the ukulele brings. We want everyone to be a part of this extraordinary experience! This is a free, family-focused, fun event that has grown into an internationally recognised celebration of the humble ukulele, which is now one of the most popular instruments in Ireland."

The annual event, now Europe's oldest ukulele festival, will mean a financial bonanza for the south Dublin seaside town as fans enjoy a weekend of entertainment and fun.