For the first time, the festival will kick off with a live video cross from the Koroit Theatre to The Cobblestone pub in Dublin.

Festival president Chris Evans said it was exciting to be aligned with one of Dublin's famous pubs. 

“This is just so exciting, we are thrilled The Cobblestone has come on board,” he said.

“The link will allow us to have a chat with our new friends in Dublin and The Cobblestone will also have live Irish music going so we will take a couple of songs and send a couple back.

“We are taking Koroit to Ireland and bringing Ireland to Koroit, whichever way you look at it, it’s very exciting."   

Mr Evans said it was a great opportunity for those with Irish roots to connect with the country. 

“There will be people in the Koroit Theatre on the Friday night who are so proud of their Irish history but haven’t yet, or may never get the chance, to go to Ireland," he said.

“We are just over the moon to think through this link to Dublin that we can do the next best thing to putting them on a plane and sending them there.”  

Mr Evans said there would be a big call out for people to get involved in the live cross.

“That might be people from Koroit and district or who have been to the festival who are in Ireland at the time and can make it to The Cobblestone to celebrate and say hello,” he said.

“We are also hoping to get families of Irish people at our festival to drop in and take the chance to see their loved ones on the screen.”   

Plenty of people will be able to see the video conversation as it will be on the old full-sized movie screen at the Koroit Theatre.

The festival has also announced its first batch of performers. 

Celtic band The Borderers will play on the opening night.

Festival new-comer The Rummagers will bring some mean tunes and feature former Koroit man and Kilmurphys member Michael Murphy.

Irish rock band Old Melbourne Road will bring the classics and Knot O’ The Gate are set to get feet tapping.

Meanwhile, festival favourite Maria Forde is back and so is Melbourne-based Irish band Zeon. 

The festival will be held on the weekend of April 26 to 28.