There will be anxious sky-gazing this weekend in the midlands when the fourth Portlick Inn Music Festival gets under way on the shores of Lough Ree.
What makes the Portlick event unique is that it is held in what is possibly one of the most beautiful places in the country, and without the aid of any major sponsorship.
Portlick, near Glasson, Co Westmeath, has already held four festivals.
The first was unusual as it is said there were more musicians than punters because of the bad weather.
It took a great act of faith then for the two men behind the event, Mr Paddy Kilmartin, a publican, and the festival director, Mr Ambrose Judge, to proceed where many would have given up.
As work was being completed on the four-acre site earlier this week, Mr Judge explained the background to the event, which runs from June 5th to 7th inclusive.
"The Portlick Inn and the land around it were acquired by Paddy in 1997 with a view to establishing a cultural centre in the midlands which would incorporate music workshops, art exhibitions and space for other cultural activities," he said.
"We thought the best way to do this was to hold a festival and we started in 1997.
"We would prefer to forget about that one because it rained and rained and it was a disaster. However, the musicians enjoyed it."
He said it was the commitment from musicians like Sean and Dolores Keane, Nomos, Davey Arthur, Kierna Goss, Frankie Gavin and others which gave the duo the impetus to continue.
The weather was kinder last year, and they managed to squeeze in a blues festival in September, but this bank holiday weekend looks likely to put the event on the map for all the right reasons.
"We have a secure four-acre site with free camping and parking which is secure and we also have a marquee which will cater for 1,000 people," said Mr Judge.
"We may be small but we claim to be the most beautiful event in the country because the site overlooks the two islands of Inisbofin and Inisturk on Lough Ree.
"We are also putting on music to suit all tastes, and overall more than 120 artists will be coming to our village this weekend," he said with obvious pride.
"We are also proud that we are able to provide a venue so people in this area can see top musicians in their own area, which is part of our philosophy.
"I suppose the group Picture House will be the biggest draw of the weekend because they have just completed a tour with Meatloaf and they are off very soon with the Corrs," he said.
He said that, in addition to Picture House, other artists appearing over the weekend would include Davey Arthur, Sean Keane, Rob Strong, Mick Crehan and an old friend of the festival, the former Wings guitarist, Henry McCullough.
"We just want to ensure that the people of the midlands can get to see such groups and musicians, and in the future we want to have a series of workshops running alongside the event," said Mr Judge.
"We have plans to build a series of traditional round houses, like Comhaltas built in Athlone, so these workshops can be held and musical activity can continue on a year-round basis."
Tickets for the event are available nationwide through usual outlets or at the gates.
They cost £25 for the weekend or £15 for a daily ticket.
The organisers can be contacted at (0902) 85512.