A popular local band who play Irish music are to perform their first gig since December 2022 at a St Patrick's Day event.

The Fountaineers have reformed after a break and will play at Coldharbour Field Kitchen on Saturday, March 16.

The band originally formed in 2016 at the Fountainhead pub in Branscombe, enjoying playing Irish music and songs during informal sessions in the bar. They then decided to start playing gigs, performing at pubs in Ottery, Sidmouth, Whimple, Seaton and even Somerset.

They went on to play at local festivals including Goren, River Cottage, Exeter Respect, and the Sidmouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis folk festivals. But after their last gig in Bridport in December 2022 they 'ground to a halt' when their guitarist-vocalist moved away and their fiddler became ill.

The Fountaineers, now a four-piece band, are looking forward to performing again at the Coldharbour Field Kitchen event. They said: "We still serve up a heady mix of toe-tapping jigs and reels and rowdy favourites, but also some beautiful airs and mournful songs, occasionally slipping out of Irish mode into wider folk genres.

"We hope to see you in what we hope will be a busy 2024 now the band is alive again!"

The St Patrick's event at the Coldharbour Field Kitchen costs £35 per person for a three-course meal with an Irish flavour, and the live music. Tickets must be booked in advance by calling 07379 873 911.