The rumble of music echoed and bounced off the pretty houses carrying swirls of dancing, laughing crowds through the streets of the bright town.

Close your eyes and you actually believe you are taking part in a real life version of the Floral Dance.

But we are over the sea and a million musical miles from Cornwall instead read The Summerfest, Killarney, Southern Ireland.

When this spectacular musical extravaganza was launched last year, critics shook their heads and warned the sparkling line-up would be a really hard act to follow.

And no wonder, because the crowds who flooded into this stunningly beautiful part of Ireland witnessed fine performances by Elton John, homeboys Westlife and the legendary Tom Jones.

But here we were again chilling out to the cool sounds of David Gray and chart-denting bands Counting Crows, The Cranberries and Fun Lovin' Criminals.

But this remarkable Summerfest to be staged from June 25 to July 4 isn't just for fans of headline pop bands.

Don't forget, this IS Ireland and just about everything goes. In fact, think of a sound you thought you'd forgotten and I promise you it's here!

Every bar in town to numerous to mention in my hazy perambulations oozes riveting musical entertainment.

And where else could you witness a riotous, spontaneous outburst of communal dancing in a car park?

But then again, if you are sharing a musical interlude with local accordionist Liam O'Connor, you'd have to be wrapped in bandages not to be compelled to join in the fun.

Everyone from a silver-haired, smiling 80-year-old lady to a tiny four-year-old rocked and rolled under the high sun.

Standing and watching, as I discovered, is just not an option. I was suddenly grabbed by a hundred friendly hands and pushed, pulled and stirred into the vast mix of joyous folk.

We sashayed past bars crowded with musicians playing guitars, the Uileann pipes, bodhran drums, fiddles, banjos, washboards and yes, even the spoons.

But away from the folk, rock and dance music, there were stirring, if sobering, classical concerts at picturesque Muckross House on the outskirts of the town.

But you can't fail to be drawn to the main outdoor concert arena at the Fitzgerald Stadium, home of Killarney's Gaelic Football team, with a comfortable capacity of 26,000.

However, there is more to Summerfest that just the compelling music.

The event organisers have arranged an exciting range of indoor and outdoor activities with face-painting, balloon-modelling, puppets, art exhibitions, clowns and workshops for magic, circus skills and even belly-dancing!

And, of course, this being Ireland, there's even a storyteller to help weave an ongoing spell of mystery and magic.

For visitors who like to make their own entertainment, Killarney holds stacks of options that are bound to please.

Walkers will enjoy the breathtaking views of Lough Leane and the mountain range with the intriguing name of Macgillycuddy's Reeks.

Or, to really get back to Ireland's roots, take a trip on a jaunting cart, which costs just £8 each and is pulled by Irish draught horses, specially bred for their strength and speed. So watch out!

I found a guided tour round Muckross House a relaxing break from the wild dancing.

Completed in 1843, the house is a magnificent example of early Victorian splendour and must have pleased Queen Victoria and Prince Albert when they visited 20 years later.

But I was drawn to the Dingle Peninsular, tucked some distance away around rocky headlands, and the location for the Oscar-winning film Ryan's Daughter, with Robert Mitchum.

More recently, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman showed the world just how beautiful Ireland's west coast can be when they shot the hit movie Far And Away at Dingle.

And where else but County Kerry could you take a six-hour coach ride where every twist and turn in the road brings a new, hear-lifting vista?

Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville and Sneem. Villages and towns packed with houses painted in pastel hues and vivid pinks and purples.

But what's this I hear? The merry, cascading sound of a lone penny-whistler time to put on my dancing legs again!

Summerfest is scheduled to take place again this summer. For more information, ring 00353-6471560 during normal office hours or click oninfo@killarneysummerfest.com The cost of accommodation varies from humble B&Bs at around £18 a night, to the magnificent Aghados Heights Hotel, a palatial five-star overlooking the lower lake at Lough Leane.

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) has return flights to Kerry from Stansted with British Airways flights from Manchester to Cork. Car rental is also available.

Ireland is gearing up for a major year of fantastic festivals and parties and Killarney, widely accepted at the birthplace of Irish tourism, is also celebrating its 250th birthday. For more information, visit: www.killarney250.com.

For further information on holidays in Ireland, visit the Tourism Ireland website at: www.tourismireland.com