Mr Ó Caollaí having only arrived in Australia earlier this month was recently appointed the Ambassador of Australia in January this year. 

Organiser of Turning Wave festival Jan Scanes said it was a huge honour to have him accept the invitation. 

“We are very grateful to have him agree to attend, I think it just goes to show how much the festival has an ever growing reputation,” she said. 

“It is through these connects that we are able to build upon our profile and hopefully gain more momentum next year, not just with visiting spectators, but with high profile musicians.”

The official opening took place at the Yazzbar where Mr Ó Caollaí and Incumbent Mayor Rowena Abbey opened the festival. 

“The Turning Wave Festival is a huge draw card for the Yass Valley, it brings thousands of people to the heart of the Yass and gives a wonderful cultural experience for those visiting,” she said. 

“Each year it attracts many interesting visitors, including this years Irish Consular who has come out to support the wonderful festival.

“The festival has got stronger year after year. We are proud of the fact that the organisers choose Yass Valley, and continue to chose us, as the area to host the festival.”

Running from Friday until Sunday, the festival is a celebration of Irish and Australian music and arts.

The performances this year will be an acclectic range of acoustic, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Celtic, and country, and will showcase some of the Yass Valley’s most inspiring musicians, bands, poets, and dance groups in concerts, workshops, exhibitions and events. 

Performers will include special guest from Ireland, Lydia Warnock, playing the fiddle, guitarist and singer-songwriter Daniel Clark, Bridget Breen, Michael Green, Judy Pinder, Daniel Kelly, the Green Shoe on a Bender quartet, Twice the Spice, the Jacqueline Hansson and Derryth Nash duo, guitarist and singer-songwriter Lugh Damen and the Good Vibes Choir. The Celtic markets will be at Banjo Paterson Park all weekend with a stage for interested performers to register and perform.

Tickets are available at the back door of the Yass Memorial Hall, down the laneway.