Calendar archive 2015-18

JANUARY 2015

Fri. 2nd: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: Christmas Special, 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 9th: The Special Consensus (USA) on the John Murray show, RTE Radio 1, shortly after 9.00 a.m.
The Special Consensus (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 10th: The Special Consensus (USA), Market Place Theatre, Armagh city, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 11th: The Special Consensus (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway, 4.00 p.m.

Mon. 12th: The Special Consensus (USA), the Anvil Inn, Portarlington, Co. Laois

Tues. 13th: The Special Consensus (USA), JJ Smyth's, 12 Aungier St., Dublin 2

Wed. 14th: The Special Consensus (USA), Barry's Public House, Grange, Co. Sligo, 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 15th: The Special Consensus (USA), Black Box, Belfast (Out To Lunch Festival), 1.00 p.m.
The Special Consensus (USA), Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 15th-Mon. 19th: 16th Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, Sixmilebride and Bunratty, Co. Clare: Special Consensus (USA) (Sun.), Niall Toner, Down and Out Bluegrass Band, many more

Thurs. 15th-Sun. 1 Feb.: Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow, Scotland; complete list of artists

Fri. 16th: The Special Consensus (USA), Errigle Inn, Belfast, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 17th: The Special Consensus (USA), Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary), 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 18th: The Special Consensus (USA), Winter Music Weekend, Bunratty/Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, all day

Wed. 21st: Punch Brothers (USA), National Concert Hall, Dublin 2: performance workshop 3.00 p.m.; concert (support by Caoimhin O Raghallaigh & Dan Trueman: Laghdú) 8.00 p.m., €25

Fri. 23rd: Fish & Bird (CAN), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m., €16 / €13

Sun. 25th: The Special Consensus (USA), The Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.
Songwriting workshop (11.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.) with Niall Toner, at Crowley's Musician Centre, the Oliver Plunkett, 116 Oliver Plunkett St., Cork city; entry fee €70, includes free dinner; for bookings 'phone Sheena (087 9023080) or book through the Centre's website

Mon. 26th: The Special Consensus (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 27th: The Special Consensus (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 28th: Cathal Cusack (guitar), Tim Hawkins (fiddle), Richard Hawkins (banjo): old-time tunes run-through, upstairs at the Glenside, Landscape Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14 (details here)

Thurs. 29th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew (Spats Davenport, gtr; Con Butler, bs; Gerry Fitzpatrick, dob; Cathy McEvoy, fdl; Christian Volkmann, hca; Dave Hardy, sax/clt; plus Richard Hawkins, bjo); special guests Laura Slattery (contemporary), the Flukey Ukes (ukulele ensemble), Jak Jones (contemporary); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 31st: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon


FEBRUARY 2015

Tues. 3rd: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 5th-Sun. 8th: SPBGMA 41st Anniversary Bluegrass Awards Show & 32nd Annual Convention, Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

Fri. 6th: KingBlue, Market Place Theatre, Armagh city, 8.00 p.m., £11.00

Fri. 13th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 13th-Sun. 15th: FOAOTMAD old-time music festival, Gainsborough, Lincs., England

Sat. 14th: I Draw Slow, Whelan's, Dublin 2; doors open 8.00 p.m., €15
Launch of new Niall Toner album, Working on love

Sun. 22nd: Sacred Harp group singing session, Megaw Room, Newtownbreda (St John’s) Presbyterian Church Hall, 374-8 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, 7.30-9.30 p.m.; adm. free (donation of £1 suggested); presented by Belfast Sacred Harp and Open House Festival

Wed. 25th: Cathal Cusack (guitar), Tim Hawkins (fiddle), Richard Hawkins (banjo), John Heaney (bass): old-time tunes run-through, upstairs at the Glenside, Landscape Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14 (details here) [scrubbed because of day-job pressures]

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew (Spats Davenport, gtr; Con Butler, bs; Gerry Fitzpatrick, dob; Cathy McEvoy, fdl; Christian Volkmann, hca; plus Richard Hawkins, bjo); special guests Tom Horan (country/folk), Davie Fury (contemporary folk), and Damien Browning (contemporary). 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 28th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon
Watery Hill Boys, The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; SOLD OUT


MARCH 2015

Tues. 3rd: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.; €13.50 (€12.00 + €1.50 booking fee). Bookings: e-mail or tel. 042 9352697
Jim Lauderdale (USA), solo show at Whelan's, Dublin 2, presented by Ubangi Stomp Club; tickets €15, available in advance from WAV tickets (1890 200 078)

Wed. 4th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, 8.00 p.m.; all tickets £10 (incl. complimentary interval refreshments). Bookings: 0044 (0) 28 7083 1400
Old Town Rounders on Galway Bay FM Radio

Wed. 4th-Sun. 8th: 11th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival

Thurs. 5th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.; £12 (£10 concs). Bookings: 0044 (0)28 9250 9509

Fri. 6th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8.00 p.m.; €15. Bookings: 071 9855 833 or e-mail

Sat. 7th: Well Enough Alone, Arthurs, 28 Thomas St., Dublin, 4.00-7.00 p.m.; with acoustic duo Carron (3.00-4.00 p.m.)
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; €15 on door, €12 early bird tickets available. Bookings: 0504 90204
Old Town Rounders, the Gig Room, Community Centre, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 8.30 p.m.; tickets €10/€8 at door

Sat. 7th-Sun. 8th: Country To Country 2015, Dublin (also locations at different dates in Britain, Sweden, and Norway)

Sun. 8th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Upstairs at Whelan’s, Dublin, doors 8.00 p.m.; €12 adv. or €14 on door. Bookings: WaV box office, tel. 1890 200 078

Thurs. 12th: New Breadwinners, Annesley House, 70 North Strand Rd, Dublin, 8.30 p.m.; advance booking at www.eventbrite.ie, €12 (part of Five Lamps Arts Festival)

Fri. 13th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 13th-Sun. 15th: European Bluegrass Gathering, Schwere Reiter Strasse 15, 80637 Munich, Germany (combined with 5th Munich Bluegrass Festival, 3rd European Bluegrass Pioneer Awards, and EBMA Annual General Meeting)

Mon. 16th: Woodbine, Tuohy's, Pound St., Rathdowney, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m.

Tues. 17th: Woody Pines (USA), Rising Sons Brewery, Cork

Wed. 18th: Woody Pines (USA), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
The Devil Makes Three (USA), Whelan's, Camden St., Dublin 2

Thurs. 19th: Woody Pines (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
The Devil Makes Three (USA), Members' Bar, Ballyholme Yacht Club, Seacliffe Road, Bangor, Co. Down BT20 5HQ; doors open 8.00 p.m.; tickets £16.50 + £1 booked online in advance, £20 on the door (Open House Festival production)

Fri. 20th: Woody Pines (USA), Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow

Sat. 21st: Woody Pines (USA), The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
KingBlue, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.; SOLD OUT

Sun. 22nd: Janet Dowd and band, Scarva Visitor Centre, Main St., Scarva, Co. Down, 2.00 p.m.
Woody Pines (USA), Ubangi Stomp Club event (upstairs at Whelan's), Dublin 2

Mon. 23rd: Woody Pines (USA), Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew; special guests Martha Keenan (folk), Dublin City Rounders (alt. country/swing), and The Dorians featuring Lynda Lucas (Americana); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 27th: Harpers Hollow Bluegrass Band, upstairs at the Four Trees, Moira, Co. Down, 8.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 28th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon
Harpers Hollow Bluegrass Band, Edenmore Golf and Country Club, near Moira, Co. Down, 8.30 p.m., adm. free
Black Bottle String Band, Ocean Hotel, Dock Rd, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford


APRIL 2015

Wed. 1st: Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, Kaleidoscope Night, Odessa Club, Dublin 2

Thurs. 2nd: Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Sat. 4th: Bog Standard Stringband, Pennsylvania Log Barn, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 2.00 and 4.00 p.m.
Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, 'The House Presents', Annesley House, 70 North Strand, Dublin

Sun. 5th: Bog Standard Stringband, Pennsylvania Log Barn, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 2.00 and 4.00 p.m.
Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Woodbine, Leech's Bar, Wolfhill, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m.

Mon. 6th: Bog Standard Stringband, Pennsylvania Log Barn, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 2.00 and 4.00 p.m.

Mon. 6th-Fri. 10th: 20th Sore Fingers Week, England

Tues. 7th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Tues. 7th-Wed. 8th: Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, teaching residency, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick

Thurs. 9th: Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, Co. Clare

Fri. 10th: Nic Gareiss and Maeve Gilchrist, workshop (3.00 p.m.) and concert (8.30 p.m.) at Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin [POSTPONED]
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 24th: Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly, DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m.; €15 (€13 booked in advance) (Musiclee.ie production)

Sat. 25th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo tuition by Howard Walker
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Dublin Bluegrass Collective, open bluegrass session, McLoughlin's Bar, 73 Upper George's St., Dun Laoghaire, from 9.00 p.m. (monthly series; next on 23 May)

Thurs. 30th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew; special guests Liam & Mary (Americana), Clare Dunne (contemporary), and DK Tuesdays (acoustic rock); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Thurs. 30th-Sun. 10th May: Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast


MAY 2015

Rayna Gellert (with Jeff Keith) in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, May-June; details TBA

Fri. 1st: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan (2015 'I'm With Her' tour), St George's church, Belfast (part of Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in association with Real Music Club); doors open 7.45 p.m. for 8.00 p.m., £12.00 (seating unreserved)
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Keane's Bar, Carrigaholt, Co. Clare, 10.00 p.m.; tel. 087 8886820

Fri. 1st-Mon. 4th: 18th Kilkenny Roots Festival, Kilkenny city: Woodbine at Breathnach's, John St. (Fri.), 10.00 p.m.; at Ormonde Hotel, Ormonde St. (Sat.), 10.00 p.m.; and at Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Rd. (Sun.), 10.00 p.m.

Fri. 1st-Mon. 4th: Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Weekend (presented by Teacht Thar Sáile Folk Club), Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry: Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Dizzy Blues Band, New Breadwinners

Sat. 2nd: Sacred Harp Singers of Dublin, all-day singing (10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.), Franciscan Friary, Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8; pot-luck lunch; all welcome
Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan (2015 'I'm With Her' tour), Culturlann Ui Chanain, Derry city
Woodbine, Ormonde Hotel, Ormonde St., Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Festival, Co. Kerry; tel. 087 7069935

Sun. 3rd: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan (2015 'I'm With Her' tour), Watergate Theatre, Parliament St., Kilkenny city, 7.30 p.m. (Kilkenny Roots Festival)
Woodbine, Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Rd., Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Festival, Co. Kerry; tel. 087 7069935

Mon. 4th: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan (2015 'I'm With Her' tour), Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo town
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.; tel. 087 2296018

Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.
Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan (2015 'I'm With Her' tour), Whelan's, Dublin 2
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 086 8464509 (Sixmilebridge Folk Club Concert)

Wed. 6th: April Verch Band (CAN), The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, 8.30 p.m., €15/€12; 071 9650828
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.30 p.m.; tel. 087 4153285
Foghorn Stringband (USA), Whelan's Upstairs, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 7th: April Verch Band (CAN), St John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m., €12/€10; 068 22566
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Blackrock GAA Club, Church Rd, Cork City, 9.30 p.m.; tel. 087 2944821
Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Local, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 7th-Sun. 10th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork (Foghorn Stringband (USA), 8-10 May; April Verch Band (CAN), 10 May)

Fri. 8th: April Verch Band (CAN), Wexford Opera House, Wexford town, 8.00 p.m., €16/€14; 053 9122144
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Copper Mine Museum, Allihies, Beara, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 027 73218
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.; monies collected on this night will go to Nepal appeal

Fri. 8th-Sun. 10th: 3rd Clarinbridge Banjo Gathering, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway: Mick Moloney, JigJam, many others; 5-string workshops by Bill Forster, 2.00-5.00 p.m. Sat.; full programme here

Sat. 9th: April Verch Band (CAN), Triskel Christchurch, Cork city, 8.00 p.m., €15/€12; 021 4272022
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Tigh an Cheoil, Baile na nGall, Ring, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 9.30 p.m.; tel. 087 9898560

Sun. 10th: April Verch Band (CAN), Glebe Gardens Amphitheatre, Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork, 3.00 p.m., €20 (tickets from Fiddle Fair); 086 3753380 (info only)
Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771; support by Jacob's Ladder

Mon. 11th: Martin Gilmore Trio (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771; support by New Breadwinners

Tues. 12th: April Verch Band (CAN), Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway, 8.00 p.m., €12/€10, tickets on the door; 095 21699 (info only) (Promoted by Clifden Arts Society)
Foghorn Stringband (USA), Siopa Ceoil an Daingin / Dingle Music & Coffee Shop, 7.30 p.m.; John Benny's, 9.00 p.m., Dingle, Co. Kerry

Wed. 13th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Linenhall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.
April Verch Band (CAN), The Sugar Club, Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m., €18/€13; 01 4750224 (Promoted by Music Network)

Thurs. 14th: April Verch Band (CAN), Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 8.00 p.m., €16/€14; 01 2724030
Foghorn Stringband (USA), Crane Bar, Galway city

Thurs. 14th-Sat. 16th: 15th European World of Bluegrass Festival (EWOB), Voorthuizen, the Netherlands: Cup O' Joe (Fri.), JigJam (Sat.), many others

Fri. 15th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8.00 p.m.
April Verch Band (CAN), Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 9.00 p.m., €16/€14; 041 9833946

Fri. 15th-Sat. 16th: 13th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, Bühl/Baden, Germany

Sat. 16th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m. [SOLD OUT!]
World Fiddle Day

Tues. 19th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA) and The Petersens (USA), the Grain Store, Ballymaloe, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 021 4651511 & 021 4651555

Wed. 20th: April Verch Band (CAN), Black Box, Belfast; doors 8.00 p.m., £12/£10

Thurs. 21st: April Verch Band (CAN), Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry
The Petersens (USA), Kanturk Library, Kanturk, Co. Cork, 11.00 a.m.; tel. 029 51384
The Petersens (USA), Millstreet Library, Millstreet, Co. Cork, 3.00 p.m.; tel. 029 21970
The Petersens (USA) and Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 2530955, 063 8184

Fri. 22nd: April Verch Band (CAN), Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA) and The Petersens (USA), Christ Church, Main St., Innishannon, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 021 4775361, 087 7921771

Fri. 22nd-Tues. 26th: Elizabeth LaPrelle and Anna Roberts-Gevalt (USA) in Ireland: at Baltimore, Co. Cork, 22 May, other details TBA; contact by e-mail

Sat. 23rd: A Family Music Day - 'The Families That Play Together': The Petersens (USA), and the Kelleher Family, from Dripsey, Co. Cork (Pat, banjo, guitar, vocals; Lorna, guitar, vocals; Ricky, guitar, bass, vocals), Mallow Library, Mallow, Co. Cork, 3.00 p.m.
and
Christ Church Church of Ireland, Ballyhooly Castle Grounds, Ballyhooly, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 2659496

Sun. 24th: The Petersens (USA), St Mary's Church of Ireland, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 3.00 p.m.; concert in aid of Hope Foundation and Church Repair Fund; tel. 087 225 7983
Robirohi (EST), Temple Christian Fellowship, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim (morning); Maghaberry Elim Church, Co. Antrim (evening); all welcome; ring Tommy Vance (07834243009) for info/bookings

Mon. 25th: Robirohi (EST), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.; all welcome; ring 07736837779 (after 6.00 p.m.)
J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), Ubangi Stomp Club, Dublin

Tues. 26th: J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 27th: J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city
Harpers Hollow Bluegrass Band, Halfway House, Ballygally, Co. Antrim, 8.00-9.00 p.m. (Cairncastle Ulster Scots monthly soiree)

Thurs. 28th: J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew (house band) plus special guests Helene (France), Rhapsody (male choir), Seanie Vaughan (contemporary); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 29th: J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), High Tide Club, Castletown Bearhaven, Co. Cork

Fri. 29th-Sun. 31st: Coastline Bluegrass Music Event (Facebook; Twitter), Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, North Wales

Sat. 30th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon
J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Main St., Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Sun. 31st: J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.


JUNE 2015

Tues. 2nd: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Tues. 9th: Flats and Sharps (GB), the Red Room (Ireland's premier house concert venue), Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: Flats and Sharps (GB), 'Beer and Bluegrass' evening, the Empire, Belfast

Fri. 12th: House Devils (GB), DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m.; €15 (€13 reserved)
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Westport, Co. Mayo (as part of Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival)

Fri. 12th-Sun. 14th: 9th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo; full lineup

Sat. 13th: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Monroe's Live, Galway city
House Devils (GB) (at Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival)

Sun. 14th: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Shoot the Crows, Sligo town
Flats and Sharps (GB), Monroe's Live, Galway city
House Devils (GB), Roisin Dubh, Galway city

Mon. 15th: House Devils (GB), 'Welcome Home To Enniscrone', Enniscrone, Co. Sligo

Tues. 16th: The Railsplitters (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Flats and Sharps (GB), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city

Thurs. 18th: The Railsplitters (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music series)

Fri. 19th: The Railsplitters (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Tech Amergin Arts Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry
Niall Toner, DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2 (CD launch celebration); tickets via e-mail

Sat. 20th: The Railsplitters (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), The Cobblestone, 77 North King St., Dublin; supported by the Dublin Bluegrass Collective

Sun. 21st: The Railsplitters (USA), The Green Room, Black Box, 18-22 Hill St., Belfast BT1 2LA

Wed. 24th: Thirtieth anniversary of the start of a meeting in Nashville (June 1985) that resulted in the formation of the IBMA

Wed. 24th-Sat. 27th: International Bluegrass Music Museum's ROMP Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival, Yellow Creek Park, Owensboro, KY

Thurs. 25th: I Draw Slow, Whelans, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2, €15; doors 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 27th: Dublin Bluegrass Collective, Secret Garden Music Festival, Kilpoole Hill, Wicklow town

Sun. 28th: Niall Toner Band, The Bailey, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, 4.00 p.m. (part of Strawberry, Culture, & Food Fest); relaunch of We Dig Roots! agency at interval
Dublin Bluegrass Collective, McLoughlin's, Dun Laoghaire, 5.00-8.00 p.m. (open bluegrass session)

JULY 2015

Thurs. 2nd-Sun. 5th: 27th International North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Conwy, North Wales

Fri. 3rd: Woodbine, private party, Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois

Fri. 3rd-Sun. 5th: American Independence Weekend at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone: Gordie MacKeeman & his Rhythm Boys (CAN)

Sat. 4th: Drummartin Country Market official opening, Drummartin, Co. Sligo , 10.30 a.m.-12.30; features 'American country and bluegrass music'

The Green Grass Hooley Boys, Eugene’s Bar, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 10.00 p.m.
Dublin Bluegrass Collective, McLoughlin's, Dun Laoghaire, 2.00 p.m.
Dublin Bluegrass Collective, My Meat Wagon, Smithfield, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 5th: The Green Grass Hooley Boys, Durty Nelly's, Bunratty, Co. Clare, 10.00 p.m.

Tues. 7th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 10th-Sun. 12th: 25th Athy Bluegrass Festival, Athy, Co. Kildare (Facebook); 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/B), Patuxent Partners (USA), The Plough (AUS), KingBlue, Woodbine

Mon. 13th: Patuxent Partners (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 14th: Hillfolk Noir (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Patuxent Partners (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 15th: Hillfolk Noir (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Letterkenny
Patuxent Partners (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.

Thurs. 16th: Hillfolk Noir (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Letterkenny

Fri. 17th: Old Town Rounders, the Fringe Hub, Mechanics Institute, Middle St., Galway city, 9.00-11.00 p.m., €10 (as part of Galway Fringe Festival)

Fri. 17th-Sun. 19th: 8th Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal (contact Patsy McGill, +353 (0)74-9537949, 087-6900714): Patuxent Partners (USA), KingBlue, Woodbine

Sun. 19th: House band performs at Raftery's Rest, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, from 11.30 a.m.

Tues. July 21st: Vincent Cross, Abner Brown's Barber Shop, 6 Rathgar Rd, Dublin 6

Wed. 22nd: Vincent Cross, the Sitting Room Session, De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
New Breadwinners, Chancery Inn, Inn's Quay, Dublin 1, 9.00 p.m. (Facebook)

Thurs. 23rd: Vincent Cross, De Burgo's, Galway city (Galway Fringe Festival)

Fri. 24-Sat. 25th: Dublin Bluegrass Collective, Knockanstockan Festival, Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow

Fri. 24th-Sun. 26th: Blue Grass Weekend, Rafterys Rest, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway: Martin Gross Band (Germany), others TBA; all-day dobro tuition on Sat. 25th; for schedule of tuition, costs, and bookings, contact Peter Larkin (087 995 3555; e-mail)

Sat. 25th: New Breadwinners, The Little Blue Room, John Browne's Bar, Market Square, Longford town; support from Vincent Cross; doors 9.45 p.m. 10.00 p.m.; €5 at the door (part of Longford Cruthu Arts Festival)

Sun. 26th: Vincent Cross, McGing's, Westport, Co. Mayo

Tues. 28th: Eilidh Patterson, upstairs at the Breffni, 49 Main St., Arklow, Co. Wicklow, 8.30 p.m. (Arklow Roots Music)

Wed. 29th: Vincent Cross, Anchorage Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Wed. 29th-Sun. 2nd Aug.: Tenth La Roche Bluegrass Festival, La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, France

Thurs. 30th: Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival Bluegrass Evening, Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, near Larne. Co. Antrim; 7.30 p.m.: Broken String Band, Watery Hill Boys, KingBlue
Vincent Cross, the Lansdowne Session, Belfast
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew (featuring Cathy McEvoy, fdl; Christian Volkmann, hca; Dave Hardy, sax/clt; Richard Hawkins, bjo); special guests Alice Jago, Michael Lawlor, Anne & Tony Preston; 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 31st: Vincent Cross, supported by the Dublin Bluegrass Collective, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin


AUGUST 2015

Sat. 1st: Vincent Cross, Americana Music Workshop, Athlone
Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival soiree, Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, Co. Antrim, 7.30 p.m.: Harpers Hollow Bluegrass Band

Sat. 1st-Sun. 2nd: Bluegrass section of Maiden City Festival, Derry city - 'Bluegrass on the Walls' (Sat. 1.00-4.00 p.m.), KingBlue, SAY WHAT, Down and Out Bluegrass Band, The White Mansions, Cool Hand String Band; 'Oldtime Bluegrass Concert' (Sat. 8.30-11.30 p.m.), Memorial Hall, Society St.; 'Bluegrass Brunch' (Sun. 1.00-6.00 p.m.), Craft Village Square

Sun. 2nd: Vincent Cross, house concert, Galway city

Mon. 3rd: Well Enough Alone, Mannion's, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m. till late

Tues. 4th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 5th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), DC Music Club, Dublin 2

Thurs. 6th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), McCrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal

Fri. 7th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Tim Eriksen (USA), DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m., €15/13
Willie Watson (USA), Queens Parade Methodist Church, 4 Queens Parade, Bangor, Co. Down
Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo

Fri. 7th-Sun. 9th: Mohill Bluegrass Festival, Mohill, Co. Leitrim: Down & Out Bluegrass Band, JigJam, The Cat's Meow; grand concert Sat. 10.00 p.m., Planxty Maguire's, €10; gospel services, sessions

Sat. 8th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), High Tide Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Willie Watson (USA), Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, 8/9.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Community Centre, Clare Island, Co. Mayo

Sun. 9th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Crockets on the Quay, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Co. Down
Willie Watson (USA), Coughlan’s Live, 7 Douglas St., Cork city

Mon. 10th-Sun. 16th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Fleadh Ceoil, 5th on Teeling, Sligo

Thurs. 13th: JigJam, Hugh Lynch's bar, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m. (supporting the Wolfe Tones as part of the Canal Quarter Festival)

Fri. 14th: 55th anniversary of Don Owens's 'Blue Grass Day', Watermelon Park, Berryville, VA: first one-day all-bluegrass event
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 15th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Sun. 16th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Pine Lodge, Myrtleville, Co. Cork

Mon. 17th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city

Tues. 18th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 19th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Greyhound Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare

Thurs. 20th: Viper Central (CAN), Bronte Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Cleere’s Bar, Kilkenny city

Fri. 21st: Viper Central (CAN), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Rackhouse Pilfer, Jester's, Westport, Co. Mayo
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Sat. 22nd: Rackhouse Pilfer, Sugar Beat Festival, Tuam, Co. Galway (3.00 p.m.); the Strand, Strandhill, Co. Sligo (evening)
The Stray Birds (USA), the Black Box, Belfast
Viper Central (CAN), Beehive Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Open House Festival, Bangor, Co. Down

Sun. 23rd: Viper Central (CAN), Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo
Rackhouse Pilfer, Sligo Abbey Heritage Day, Sligo, 3.00 p.m.; Drury's, Monasteraden, Co. Sligo (evening)
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), The Sky and The Ground, Wexford town

Mon. 24th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Rodden's Bar, Buncrana, Co. Donegal

Tues. 25th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Patsy Dan’s, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal
Wookalily, BBC concert (details TBA)

Tues. 25th-Mon. 14 Sept.: Whiskey Deaf (USA: John Kael, Annie Staninec) in Ireland; available for fiddle workshops and other events

Wed. 26th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), The Shamrock, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal

Thurs. 27th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Crusoe's, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Keady Clachan, Limavady, Co. Londonderry
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with Spats Davenport, Con Butler, and Gerry Fitzpatrick, featuring Cathy McEvoy (fdl), Christian Volkmann (hca), Richard Hawkins (bjo), Dave Hardy (sax/clt); special guests Martha Keenan (contemporary), Lands End (bluegrass); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Thurs. 27th-Sun. 30th: 21st Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford: Claire Lynch Band (USA; Sun., €15), Whiskey Deaf (USA), Demolition String Band (USA), New Section (CZ), Land’s End (UK/Ire), Cup O' Joe, Jigjam, Mons Wheeler Band, Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Barefoot; fiddle, mandolin, and banjo workshops

Fri. 28th: Demolition String Band (USA), Levi’s, Corner House, Main St., Ballydehob, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Kiwi's, the Playhouse, Portrush, Co. Londonderry
Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), Craft Village, Shipquay St., Derry city

Sat. 29th: Morgan O’Kane Trio (USA), The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Wookalily, EastSide Arts Festival, Belfast
Demolition String Band (USA), Blackrock 'Rockies' Hurling Club, Church Rd, Blackrock, Cork city, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 29th-Sun. 30th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Hilden Brewery Festival, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Sun. 30th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Ward Park, Bangor, Co. Down, 2.30 p.m. (as part of Open House Festival)
Wookalily, Festival of Speed, Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Mon. 31st: Demolition String Band (USA), Charlie’s Bar, 2 Union Quay, Cork city, 9.00 p.m.; 00353 21 496 5272 (Hank Wedel and friends session)


SEPTEMBER 2015

Tues. 1st: Demolition String Band (USA), Matt Molloy’s, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Wed. 2nd: Claire Lynch Band (USA), DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2; 8.30 p.m. start; €16/€14
Demolition String Band (USA), McGing's, High St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 3rd: Demolition String Band (USA), Beehive Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 3rd-Sat. 5th: 50th anniversary of Carlton Haney's 'First Annual Roanoke Blue Grass Festival', Fincastle, VA: first multi-day all-bluegrass event, and first to be billed as a 'festival'

Fri. 4th: Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly, DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m.; €15 (€13 reserved)

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: 24th Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone: Claire Lynch Band (USA), Demolition String Band (USA), Viper Central (CAN), CC Smugglers (GB), Bill Faster (SK), Niall Toner Band, KingBlue, Geordie McAdam & Friends, Wookalily, Broken String Band, Northern Exposure, Tom Sweeney, 'Songs for all the family', Prison Love, Watery Hill Boys, Bluegrass Festival Choir; full weekend pass £35.00 (online booking)

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England (Facebook)

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: Sweet Sunny South American Oldtime Music Festival, Fairlight Lodge Hotel, Hastings, Sussex, England

Fri. 11th: Wookalily, No Alibis Bookstore, Belfast (book launch)

Sat. 12th: Petunia & Nathan Godfrey (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Niall Toner Band, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Wookalily, Queen's University Open Day, Belfast

Tues. 15th: Betty and the Boy (USA), Ireland (venue tbc)

Wed. 16th: Betty and the Boy (USA), Ireland (venue tbc)

Thurs. 17th: Betty and the Boy (USA), McCrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal

Fri. 18th: Betty and the Boy (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Sat. 19th: Betty and the Boy (USA), High Tide Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Woodbine, Timahoe Heritage Centre, Co. Laois

Sat. 19th-Sun. 20th: 20th UK Sacred Harp Convention, Henry Wood Hall, Trinity Church Square, London SE1 4HU, England, 10.30 a.m.–4.00 p.m.

Sun. 20th: Betty and the Boy (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
Woodbine, Tuohy's Bar, Rathdowney, Co. Laois

Thurs. 24th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew (Spats Davenport, Con Butler, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Enda O'Connor), featuring Cathy McEvoy (fdl), Christian Volkmann (hca), Richard Hawkins (bjo), Dave Hardy (sax/clt); special guests Mark Lysaght & Joe Toolan (trad), Emma Butler (contemporary), Jak Jones (contemporary); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 25th-Sun. 27th: 7th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, Scotland: Bluedust (I), Corn Potato String Band (USA), Red Herring (NL), Dude Coopers, Daddy Naggins, Okenfenokee, North Atlantic Project

Sat. 26th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; 5-string banjo instruction for beginners by Howard Walker

Sat. 26th-Sat. 3 Oct.: Autumn old-time-music workshop week, La Fuente, south-eastern Spain; tutors Beverly Smith, John Grimm, Kate Lissauer, others

Sat. 26th-Sun. 4th Oct.: Package tour of bluegrass heartland (TN, KY, NC), visiting IBMM, IBMA WOB, many other locations; from Dublin; compere Niall Toner [rescheduled for 2016]

Tues. 29th-Sat. 3rd Oct.: International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass, Raleigh, NC, USA


OCTOBER 2015

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 4th: Cork Folk Festival: New Rope String Band (GB), Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly, Richie Foley & Paddy Kiernan, many others

Fri. 2nd: Burns Sisters Band (USA), The Hotspot, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Pilgrim St, Beggy's, 15 Bridge St., Navan, Co. Meath, 10.00 p.m.

Sat. 3rd: Burns Sisters Band (USA), Conary Community Hall, Avoca, Co. Wicklow

Sun. 4th: Burns Sisters Band (USA), The Rowan Tree Cafe, Ennis, Co. Clare

Mon. 5th: Burns Sisters Band (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork

Tues. 6th: Corn Potato String Band (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Burns Sisters Band (USA), Clonmel Folk Club, The Main Guard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 7th: Corn Potato String Band (USA), Myles K. McCann’s, 7 John St., Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.30 p.m.; adm. free; +44 28 8224 8900

Thurs. 8th: Corn Potato String Band (USA), Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m. (doors open 8.30 p.m.); €10

Fri. 9th: Wookalily, Winterfell, Castle Ward, Co. Down
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 9th-Sun. 11th: 1st Bunratty Bluegrass Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare: Maple Tree Circus (CH), Corn Potato String Band (USA), The Grove Bluegrass Band (UK), New Breadwinners, JigJam, Oldtown Rounders; 35 sessions/ gigs/ concerts; concert tickets €10; contact Brendan, 086 8464509

Fri. 9th-Sun. 11th: Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN (too many artists, acts, and attractions to mention)

Sat. 10th: Burns Sisters Band (USA), Teach Cheoil, Kilrush, Co. Clare

Sun. 11th: Corn Potato String Band (USA), Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 9.45 p.m.; adm. free; +353 (0)65 707 4084

Wed. 14th: Corn Potato String Band (USA), The Grand Social, Dublin 1, €12

Fri. 16th: 30th anniversary of first public meeting of International Bluegrass Music Association, at the Blair School of Music auditorium, Nashville, TN, 16 Oct. 1985

Sat. 17th: I Draw Slow, Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 14

Sat. 17th-Sun. 18th: Irish Steel Guitar Festival 2015, Green Isle Hotel, Newland's Cross, Dublin

Fri. 23rd: Cup O'Joe, Ards Arts Centre, 8.00 p.m., £6; BYOB
Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley (USA/GB), The Front Bar, McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal, 9.30 p.m.; tel. Rory, 0044 7926971125

Fri. 23rd-Mon. 26th: 7th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Balla, Co. Mayo: New Breadwinners, Cup O'Joe, Watery Hill Boys, Woodbine, Colonel Bullshot Rides Again, Hubert Murray Band

Sat. 24th-Sun. 25th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley (USA/GB), South Roscommon Singers Festival, Knockcrogherty, Co. Roscommon; tel. Declan Coyne, 087 966 7029; e-mail

Mon. 26th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley (USA/GB), Roadside Tavern, Kincora Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; tel. Peter Curtin, 087 830 0069

Tues. 27th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley (USA/GB), The Hall, Mercy Day Centre, Buttevant, Co. Cork; tel. John Nyhan, 087 792 1771

Wed. 28th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley (USA/GB), Tigh an Cheoil pub, Ring, Co. Waterford; tel. John Nyhan, 087 792 1771

Thurs. 29th: Milan Miller with Kay & Patrick Crouch, Sirius Arts Centre, the Old Yacht Club, Lower Road, Cobh, Co. Cork; 8.00 p.m., €12.00
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: Americana Special night with the Cabin Crew - Spats Davenport (gtr), Aisling Davenport (voc), Con Butler (bs), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dob), Cathy McEvoy (fdl), Christian Volkmann (hca), Richard Hawkins (bjo), Dave Hardy (sax/clt); special guests Spirit Riders; 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 30th: Cup O'Joe, Bennigan's Jazz Club, 13 John St., Derry city, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 31st: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon


NOVEMBER 2015

Sun. 1st: Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 7.00-9.00 p.m.

Tues. 3rd: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 6th: Rackhouse Pilfer, the Blue Devon, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim

Fri. 6th-Sun. 8th: Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Camp, taught by Larry Kernagis (USA), Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork

Sat. 7th: Annual Banjo Event at Eagle Music Shop, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, West Yorks., England: Kruger Brothers, JigJam, Greg and Janet Deering; full details and online booking
Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town

Sun. 8th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo Venue, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Thurs. 12th: Cup O' Joe, New York Inn, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, 9.00 p.m. (part of Atlantic Sessions festival)
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Mercantile, Dame St., Dublin 2; doors 7.30 p.m.; €10.00 (special guest Fia Rua)

Fri. 13th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 14th: Old Hannah, Portstewart Arms, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, 8.00 p.m.; Quays Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim, 10.30 p.m. (part of Atlantic Sessions festival)

Tues. 17th: The Grahams (USA), Levi's Cornerhouse, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

Wed. 18th: Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, plus guest; Whelan's, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2; doors 8.00 p.m.; €35.00
The Grahams (USA), Dolan's, Limerick city

Thurs. 19th: The Grahams (USA), Monroe's Live, Galway city

Fri. 20th: The Grahams (USA), The Errigle Inn, Ormeau Rd, Belfast

Sat. 21st: The Grahams (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; doors 8.00 p.m., show 8.30; tickets in advance €13 / €10; on the door €15 / €12

Sat. 21st: The BIB is ten years old today

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew - Spats Davenport (gtr), Aisling Davenport (voc), Con Butler (bs), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dob), Cathy McEvoy (fdl), Christian Volkmann (hca), Dave Hardy (sax/clt); special guests Andrew Basquille (singer/songwriter), Elga Fox (folk), Dublin City Rounders (contemporary); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 28th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, St George's Market, Belfast, noon to 3.00 p.m.


DECEMBER 2015

Tues. 1st: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session (fifth anniversary edition), upstairs, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.
Deadline for applications to play at European World of Bluegrass Festival 2016 / EXTENDED TO 15 DECEMBER!

Sat. 5th: Wookalily, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Gorse Fire, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
New season of 'Roots Freeway', RTÉ Radio 1, 11.00 p.m.; host Niall Toner

Sun. 6th: Pilgrim St, Whelan's, Dublin 2, with Declan O'Rourke

Thurs. 10th: Fund-raising concert for Médecins Sans Frontières, Triskel Christchurch Arts Centre, Cork city: Lee Valley String Band, Stargazers; reception 7.30 p.m., concert (8.00 p.m.); €20

Fri. 11th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sun. 13th: Pilgrim St, Lobinstown, Co. Meath, church concert 7.00 p.m.

Tues. 15th: New extended deadline for applications to play at European World of Bluegrass Festival 2016

Thurs. 17th: Rackhouse Pilfer, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m. [SOLD OUT]

Sat. 19th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo instruction by Howard Walker
Pilgrim St, Beggy's, Navan, Co. Meath
Two Time Polka, Blackrock Hurling Club, Church Rd., Blackrock, Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4357377

Sun. 20th: Pilgrim St, INEC, Killarney, Co. Kerry, with Declan O'Rourke

Mon. 21st: Pilgrim St, Dolan's, Limerick city, with Declan O'Rourke

Sun. 27th: Two Time Polka, Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, Cork, 9.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4318342

Thurs. 31st: Two Time Polka, Masterson's Steakhouse, Main St., Swords, Co. Dublin; 01 8903855


JANUARY 2016

Fri. 1st: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: Holiday Special with the Cabin Crew, Spats Davenport (voc, gtr), Con Butler (bs), Gerry Fitz (dob), Aisling Davenport (voc), Cathy McEvoy (fid), Christian Volkmann (hca), Richard Hawkins (bjo), Enda O'Connor (cajon); special guests Michael Lawlor (folk), Lynda Lucas (Americana); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE

Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Thurs. 14th-Sun. 31st: Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow, Scotland: Abigail Washburn & Béla Fleck, Rayna Gellert, Rhiannon Giddens, many more

Fri. 15th: Wookalily, the Limelight, Belfast

Sat. 16th: Niall Toner, Pensacola State College, Pensacola, Florida

Sun. 17th: Tim O'Brien (USA) and Arty McGlynn, Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo town

Mon. 18th: Tim O'Brien (USA) and Arty McGlynn, Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway; support by the Whileaways, 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 20th: Tim O'Brien (USA) and Arty McGlynn, The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Thurs. 21st: Tim O'Brien (USA) and Arty McGlynn, Kenny's Bar, Lahinch, Co. Clare

Thurs. 21st-Mon. 25th: Shannonside Winter Music Festival (Facebook); 80 events at 20 venues in Sixmilebridge and Bunratty, Co. Clare; Brendan Walsh, 086 8464509: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Martin Gilmore with Nick Amodeo (USA), Rackhouse Pilfer, many more

Fri. 22nd: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), live on Ray D'Arcy show, RTÉ Radio 1, between 3.00 and 4.30 p.m.

Mon. 25th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m., tel. 087 7921771; support act: Martin Gilmore & Nick Amodeo (USA)

Tues. 26th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Radio Special, live at 8.30 p.m.; tune in online
Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane (CAN), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Wed. 27th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m., tel. 087 1804870; support act: Martin Gilmore & Nick Amodeo (USA)
Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane (CAN), Balor Arts Centre, Main St., Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 28th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m., tel. 068 22566
Martin Gilmore and Nick Amodeo (USA), Tigh an Cheoil, Ring, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 9.30 p.m.; 087 9898560
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Tom Horan (country/folk) and We Went Down (contemporary); Con Butler features his own compositions; 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE
The Whileaways, St Werburgh's church, Dublin 8
Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane (CAN), Monroe's Live, Dominick St., Galway city, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 29th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.; box office 01 8020898; online booking
Martin Gilmore and Nick Amodeo (USA), O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.30 p.m., with folk/old-time duo Gordon & Rosie; 087 6723156
Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane (CAN), An Tain Arts Centre, Dundalk, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 30th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo instruction by Howard Walker
Wookalily, Market Place Theatre, Armagh city
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Pikers Lodge Hotel, Lough Gowna, Co. Cavan, 9.00 p.m., tel. 086 2628567
Martin Gilmore and Nick Amodeo (USA), O'Neill's Bar, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 9.30 p.m.; 087 8168692
Two Time Polka, White Horse Winter Music Festival, Ballincollig, Co. Cork; from 11.45 p.m., adm. free; 021 4871388
Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane (CAN), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 31st: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Beehive Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal, 8.30 p.m., tel. 087 6900714


FEBRUARY 2016

Mon. 1st: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; €15

Tues. 2nd: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), the Main Guard, Sarsfield St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m., tel. 085 8502289 (Clonmel Folk Club presentation)
Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Wed. 3rd: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Sunflower Pub, 65 Union St., Belfast; doors 8.00 p.m., tel. 07779 721643 (Belfast Bluegrass)
Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), Space Theatre, SERC, Bangor, Co. Down

Thurs. 4th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Colfers Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 9.00 p.m., tel. 051 561159
Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), Holywood Yacht Club, Holywood, Co. Down
The Whileaways, Matt Molloy's yard bar, Westport, Co. Mayo; doors 8.30 p.m., €10

Thurs. 4th-Sun. 7th: SPBGMA 42nd Anniversary Bluegrass Awards Show & 33rd Annual Convention, Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

Fri. 5th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), the Brown Trout Inn, Aghadowey, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry
The Whileaways, Kilkishen Cultural Centre, Kilkishen, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m.; bookings at 086 846 4509
Horsenecks (USA/GB), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 6th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), the Arcadia, East Strand, Portrush, Co. Antrim
Horsenecks (USA/GB), The Greyhound Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m.
2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sun. 7th: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (USA), the Tap Room, Hilden Brewery, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Horsenecks (USA/GB), Levis Corner House, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, 7.30 p.m.

Mon. 8th: Horsenecks (USA/GB), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Tues. 9th: Horsenecks (USA/GB), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Wed. 10th: Horsenecks (USA/GB), Myles K. McCann's, 6 Bridge St., Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.00 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: The Whileaways, Coughlans Bar, 7 Douglas St., Cork city, 9.00 p.m.
Cup O'Joe, Mahon's Hotel, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh (as part of 'An Evening of Music and Praise')
I Draw Slow, Whelans, Dublin 2, €15

Fri. 12th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 12th-Sun. 14th: FOAOTMAD Old-Time Music Festival, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England: Evie Ladin & Keith Terry, Sunny Mountain Serenaders, Adam Hurt & Beth Williams Hartness, the Horsenecks (USA); Old Roustabouts, Roger Jackson, Cath & Phil Tyler, Paul & Clare Sheridan (UK)

Sat. 13th: The Whileaways, Galway Youth Alliance Workshop, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 14th: Booking opens for concerts by Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley at Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival (Sat. 27th, Sun. 28th Aug.), €20 (bookable by e-mail)

Thurs. 18th: Greasy Coat Stringband, supporting The Black Feathers (GB), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 19th: The Whileaways, The Tearoom Sessions, Brewery Lane Theatre & Arts Centre, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary, 9.00 p.m.
Knotty Pine String Band with Drunken Lullabies in 'Both sides now', Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; 8.00 p.m., £12.00
Rackhouse Pilfer, Gilroy's, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, 10.30 p.m.

Sat. 20th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Percy Whelan's, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 21st: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, St George's Market, Belfast, from 11.30 a.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, !0.30 p.m.

Thurs. 25th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Pat Killalea (guitar), Jo Jo O & the Woods (contemporary); Mary Hennesy (country/Americana); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE

Fri. 26th: The Whileaways, Cleeres, Kilkenny city, 8.30 p.m.
Pilgrim St, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, 7.30-9.30 p.m., €14/12
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Grand, Killarney, Co. Kerry, !0.30 p.m.

Fri. 26th-Sun. 28th: Sugarloaf Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Greystones, Co. Wicklow: New Breadwinners, Pine Marten (Fri. 9.00 p.m., €8); The Cujo Family (Sat., €10); Folk & Bluegrass Session (Sun. 4.00 p.m., free); HueGrass, Second Wind, Gabby Brady & Eileen McLane, Dublin Bluegrass Collective; 'Jumble Rock Sale' (Sat. 1.00-5.00 p.m.) for CDs, books, records, and magazines

Sat. 27th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo instruction by Howard Walker
Old Hannah, The Model, Sligo town, 8.00 p.m., €7.50
Rackhouse Pilfer, Campbell's, Headford, Co. Galway, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 28th: Rackhouse Pilfer, TedFest, Inis Mor, Aran Islands, 10.00 p.m.

Mon. 29th: Deadline for applications to perform in IBMA World of Bluegrass showcase programme: details here


MARCH 2016

Tues. 1st: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Wed. 2nd: GorseFire and Cup O' Joe in 'Bluegrass Songwriters' concert, Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast (opening of 12th United Airlines Belfast Nashville Festival and Convention, 2-6 Mar.)

Fri. 4th: Brendan Taaffe, solo concert, Ship Gallery, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 7.30 p.m., £5
Rackhouse Pilfer, Monroes Live, Galway city

Sat. 5th: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
Brendan Taaffe, singing workshop, Ship Gallery, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. £20. Contact Val by e-mail to register
Rackhouse Pilfer, Coach House, Ballymoate, Co. Sligo

Sat. 5th-Sun. 6th: 6th Ireland Sacred Harp Convention, St Marie's of the Isles primary school, Bishop St., Cork; registration 10.00 a.m., singing from 10.30 a.m. (singing school on Fri. 4th, 6.00-8.00 p.m.; other weekend events, see Sacred Harp Singers of Cork website)

Sun. 6th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Crockets on the Quay, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Wed. 9th: Woody Pines (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Thurs. 10th: Woody Pines (USA), Crusoe’s, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Fri. 11th: Woody Pines (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Wookalily, Voodoo Belfast, 9-11 Fountain St., BT1 5EA Belfast (part of Women's Work Festival)
Pilgrim St, McGings, Westport, Co. Mayo
Blood Red Mountain Band, McPhail's, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 9.00 p.m.
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 12th: Brendan Taaffe, singing workshop, Wisdom Centre, 25 Cork St., Dublin, 10.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m., €65 for the day. Contact Mary by e-mail to register
Woody Pines (USA), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Pilgrim St, Keary's Bar, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Sun. 13th: Brendan Taaffe, singing workshop, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow, 10.00 a.m.
Woody Pines (USA), Sarah Walker Gallery, Castletown Bearhaven, Co. Cork

Wed. 16th: Pilgrim St, Beggys, Navan, Co. Meath

Thurs. 17th: Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town, 3.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford town; start 1.00 p.m., adm. free; tel. 053 9122303

Fri. 18th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Gilroy's, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo

Sat. 19th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon
Two Time Polka, Grand Parade, Cork (open-air); start 12.15-1.30 p.m., adm. free (part of Cork St Patrick's Festival)
Rackhouse Pilfer, John The Miners, Carrick

Sun. 20th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo Venue, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Mon. 21st: Locust Honey (USA), McCann's, Main St., Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Tues. 22nd: Locust Honey (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Wed. 23rd: Locust Honey (USA), Róisín Dubh, Lr Dominick St., Galway city

Thurs. 24th: Locust Honey (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
I Draw Slow, Coughlan's Live, Douglas St., Cork; SOLD OUT

Sat. 26th: Locust Honey (USA), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Rackhouse Pilfer, Main St. Venue, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Broken String Band and Cup O' Joe, Brontë Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down

Sun. 27th: Locust Honey (USA), JJ Harlow's, Roscommon town
Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town

Mon. 28th: Locust Honey (USA), the Greyhound, Kilkee, Co. Clare

Mon. 28th-Fri. 1 Apr.: Sore Fingers Week, Kingham Hill School, England

Tues. 29th: Locust Honey (USA), Sixmilebridge Folk Club, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare

Thurs. 31st: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Shane Hennessy, Pat Burgess, and Kate Dineen


APRIL 2016

Sat. 2nd: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sun. 3rd: I Draw Slow, Old Hannah, Lisa O'Neill, Mundy, plus others, the Grand Social, 35 Lower Liffey St., Dublin 1, 8.00 p.m., €15
Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome
Tickets for IBMA's World of Bluegrass (27 Sept.-1 Oct.) go on sale

Fri. 8th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 15th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), album launch, Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57-65 Upper English St., Armagh city, BT61 7LB, 8.00 p.m., £12
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Today Show, RTÉ One, 4.10 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Gilroy's Bar, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, 10.30 p.m.

Sat. 16th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), The Meeting Place, Poyntzpass Community Centre, 16-18 Church St., Poyntzpass, Co. Armagh BT35 6SW, 8.00 p.m., £10
Cool Hand String Band, Myles K. McCann's Bar, 7 John St., Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.30 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Weigh Inn Bar Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.00 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
The Whileaways, Caring 4 Cillian Fundraising Event, Gibbons's, Shrule, Co. Mayo
Wookalily, Belfast Underground Record Store Day; Game of Thrones Tour Winterfell Set, Strangford, Co. Down

Sun. 17th: Tennessee Hennessees, Duncairn Cultural Arts Centre, Belfast, 11.00 a.m.
Cool Hand String Band, Sallys Of Omagh, 33-35 John St., Co. Tyrone, 10.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo Venue, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 10.30 p.m.

Mon. 18th: Mile Twelve (USA), The Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 086 8464509​​ (​a Sixmilebridge Folk Club Presentation)
'Mean Mary' James (USA), The Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Markethill, Co. Armagh BT60 1PH, 8.00 p.m., £10

Tues​. 19th: Mile Twelve (USA), Radio Special Live, 8.30 p.m.; tune in at C103.ie

Wed. 20th: Mile Twelve (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 068 22566​​

Thurs. 21st: Mile Twelve (USA), Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 051 561159​​
Wookalily, Voodoo Belfast

Fri. 22nd: Mile Twelve (USA), Coast Guard Cultural Centre, Tramore, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; support act Gerry Madden and Friends (bluegrass); tel. 051 391656​​
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, The John Hewitt, Bridge St., Belfast, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 23rd: Mile Twelve (USA), Tigh An Cheoil, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, ​9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 9898560​

Sun. 24th: Mile Twelve (USA), Griffin's Garden Centre, Dripsey, Co. Cork, 2.00 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771
'Mean Mary' James (USA), Enler Delta Blues Club @ Comber Rec., Park Way, Comber, Belfast BT23 5, 07866687177; 8.00 p.m., £10
Old Drake - Traditional Stringband Music from Virginia: Back Room, the Cobblestone, 77 King St North, Smithfield, Dublin 7; 8.00 p.m., €10
'Music Rising' concert, Stephens St. Car Park, Sligo town: Rackhouse Pilfer, many others

Mon. 25th: Mile Twelve (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771​
Old-time fiddle and mandolin workshops, Thomas House, Thomas St., Dublin 8, 7.00 p.m. (followed by the regular weekly old-time jam from 8.00 p.m.); 087 2726007 for details

Tues. 26th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), Royal Hotel, Coagh St., Cookstown, Co. Tyrone BT80 8NG, 8.00 p.m., £12

Wed. 27th: Mile Twelve (USA), The Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 6881650​​

Thurs. 28th: Mile Twelve (USA), Nosh and Coffee, Unit 27, Ballincollig Shopping Centre, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 2600684​​
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests

Thurs. 28th-Sun. 1st May: MerleFest, Wilkes, NC

Fri. 29th: Pilgrim St, The Glens Arts Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Woodbine, Clubhouse, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m. (part of Kilkenny Roots Festival)

Fri. 29th-Mon. 2 May: 3rd Mountain Roots Music Weekend, Cahirsiveen, Co. Kerry: Dizzy Blues Band, Two Time Polka, Mile Twelve (USA); tel. 087 1715949

Sat. 30th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo instruction by Howard Walker
Wookalily, Lord Mayor's Big City Picnic, Belfast, 3.20 p.m.
Woodbine, Hotel Kilkenny, Kilkenny city, 4.00 p.m. (part of Kilkenny Roots Festival)


MAY 2016

Sun. 1st: Landsend, Pumphouse, 4.00 p.m.; Breathnach's, 10.00 p.m.; Woodbine, Springhill Court, 10.00 p.m. (all part of Kilkenny Roots Festival)
Mile Twelve (USA), Mountain Roots Music Weekend, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry
John Denby, Luke Coffey, Lily Sheehan, Leeson Lounge, 148 Leeson St. Upper, Dublin 4, 6.00 p.m.

Mon. 2nd: Cup O' Joe, Vegstock CQAF, Belfast, 1.00–1.45 p.m.; adults £4.00, under 12s £2.00
Mile Twelve (USA), Mannion's Bar, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo, 7.30 p.m.; tel. 087 2296018​​
The Whileaways, O'Flaherty's, Dingle, Co. Kerry (part of Feile na Bealtaine)

Wed. 4th: ​​Mile Twelve (USA), Mallow Library​​​, Mallow, Co. Cork, 3.30 p.m.; ​tel. 087 7921771​
Mile Twelve (USA), O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m., with Gordon and Rosie (old-time/bluegrass); tel. 087 6723156​​

Thurs. 5th: Mile Twelve (USA), Mitchelstown Library, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, 11.00 a.m.
Mile Twelve (USA), Millstreet Library, ​​​​Millstreet, Co. Cork, 3.00 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771​​
Russell de Carle (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)

Thurs. 5th-Sun. 8th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork; Dirk Powell, many more

Thurs. 5th-Sat. 7th: 19th European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival, ‘t Trefpunt, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands: schedule and lineup

Fri. 6th: Mile Twelve (USA), Charleville Library, Charleville, Co. Cork, 11.00 a.m.
Mile Twelve (USA), Kanturk Library​​​, Kanturk, Co. Cork, ​3.00 p.m.​
​Mile Twelve (USA), Thomas Fitzgerald Centre​​, Bruff, Co. Limerick, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 3027976​​
Russell de Carle (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Rackhouse Pilfer, Monroes Live, Galway city

Sat. 7th: Mile Twelve (USA), Rory Gallagher Music Library, Grand Parade, Cork city, 1.00 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771​
Russell de Carle (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
Pilgrim St, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford town

Sun. 8th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Thurs. 12th: Murder Murder (CAN), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Fri. 13th: The Whileaways, Unitarian Church, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, 8.30 p.m.
The Henry Girls, Whelan's Live, Wexford St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.
Murder Murder (CAN), Whelan’s, Dublin 2

Fri. 13th-Sat. 14th: 14th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, Bühl/Baden, Germany

Sat. 14th: Murder Murder (CAN), JJ Harlow's, Roscommon town

Sun. 15th: Murder Murder (CAN), Brontë Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Grand, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Mon. 16th: Skip Gorman and Connie Dover (USA), supported by Woodbine, GAA Centre, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.; adm. €5, spot prizes on the night

Tues. 17th:
Tickets go on online sale for 10th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival

Wed. 18th: The Whileaways, The Roots Room, Strand Bar, Sligo town

Fri. 20th: Wookalily, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Official launch of 10th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival (10-12 June)

Sat. 21st: World Fiddle Day
Shawbrook Forest Festival, Co. Longford: Barn Dance Beech Party with Bianca Fachel, St Simeon & the Stylites, and Prison Love; gates open 6.00 p.m., music from 7.00 p.m.
Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m., adm. free
Skip Gorman and Connie Dover (USA), Scartaglin Heritage Centre, Co. Kerry, 3.00 p.m.; recording by RTE, 7.30 p.m.

Sun. 22nd: Woodbine with Evan & Amy Lyons, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 5.00 p.m., adm. free

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests including Roni Stoneman (USA)
Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), Sunflower Folk Club, 65 Union St., Belfast

Fri. 27th: Auction night in aid of Cancer Research, the Purty Loft, Old Dunleary Rd, Monkstown, Co. Dublin: I Draw Slow, Eileen Gogan, Larkfield 4
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Empire, Belfast

Sat. 28th: DanGem Bluegrass monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Lisburn Island Arts Centre, Co. Antrim, 10.00 a.m. to noon; banjo instruction by Howard Walker
Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co, Tyrone
Rackhouse Pilfer, Frank Owens Bar, Limavady, Co. Londonderry

Sat. 28th-Sun. 29th: 4th Clarinbridge Banjo Gathering, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway: Roni Stoneman (USA), in concert at Clarinbridge Parish Hall with Oldtown Rounders (Sat., 8.30 p.m.)

Sun. 29th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Nancy Blakes, Limerick city
Skip Gorman and Connie Dover (USA), The Gables, Carland, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m., adm. free

Tues. 31st: Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), The Roots Room, Strand Bar, Strandhill, Co. Sligo


JUNE 2016

Thurs. 2nd: Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), Monroe’s Live, Dominick St., Galway city
Hubert Murray Band, the Square Box, Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone

Thurs. 2nd-Mon. 6th: K-Fest, Killorglin, Co. Kerry; Oldtown Rounders (Sat. 4th), many others

Fri. 3rd: Roni Stoneman (USA), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m. [cancelled]
The Whileaways, Inisbofin Festival, Co. Galway
Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), Tutty’s Pub, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow
Rackhouse Pilfer, John The Miners, Carrick, Co. Donegal
Hubert Murray Band, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town
Wookalily, in BBC4 TV's 'UK's Best Part-Time Band', 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 3rd-Sun. 5th: Coastline Bluegrass Music Event, Llangollen Pavilion, North Wales LL20 8SW: Sunny Side (CZ), Cup O' Joe (NI), Flats & Sharps, Tilter Wheel, Rip Roaring Success, Biggin Hillbillies, Stompin' Dave Allen, Appalachian dance teams

Sat. 4th: Wookalily, in BBC4 TV's 'UK's Best Part-Time Band', 1.30 a.m.
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Cloughmills June Fair, Cloughmills, Co. Antrim, 2.00 p.m.
2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free [moved to 11 June]
Woodbine, Crocanoir, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary
Roni Stoneman (USA), guest spot, Carberry's (Tí Chairbre), 11 North Strand, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (USA), Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 14
Rackhouse Pilfer, Vintage Day, Riverstown, Co. Sligo
Rackhouse Pilfer, Percy Whelans, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
New season of 'Roots Freeway' begins, RTÉ Radio 1, 11.00 p.m.; host Niall Toner
Hubert Murray Band, Private function, Dublin

Sun. 5th: Pilgrim St, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath
Rackhouse Pilfer, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Hubert Murray Band, Mannions Bar, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo
Woodbine, Cowboys & Heroes Country Music & Americana Festival, Drumcoura City, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Mon. 6th: Hubert Murray Band, Kenny's, Lahinch, Co. Clare
Kentucky Cow Tippers (GB), Cowboys & Heroes Country Music & Americana Festival, Drumcoura City, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Tues. 7th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Hubert Murray Band, Kilkee, Co. Clare, venue TBA
'Belfast Bluegrass Bash': Kentucky Cow Tippers (GB)  with Cup O'Joe, Sunflower Public House, 65 Union St., Belfast, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 8th: Kentucky Cow Tippers (UK), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Foghorn Stringband (USA), the Cobblestone, 77 King St. North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, 9.30 p.m., €15; 01 8721799
Wookalily, in BBC4 TV's 'UK's Best Part-Time Band', 10.00 p.m.

Thurs. 9th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Whelans, Dublin 2
Hubert Murray Band, Connemara Radio Station, 11.00 a.m.-12 noon
Hubert Murray Band, Mullarkeys, Clifden, Co. Galway
Kentucky Cow Tippers (GB), McKenna's Bar, 62 Dublin St., Monaghan town

Fri. 10th: Knotty Pine String Band, Drumquin Social Centre, Co. Tyrone
Rackhouse Pilfer, Galway Roast, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 10th-Sun. 12th: 10th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo: Roni Stoneman (USA), Foghorn Stringband (USA), Red Wine (I), Kentucky Cow Tippers (UK), Dana Sipos (CAN), Old Hannah, Tim Rogers, Hubie & Sarah MacEvilly, Prairie Jaywalkers, Hubert Murray Band, Ruth Dillon and band, Cup O’ Joe, Pat & Ricky Kelleher, Richard Hawkins & Friends

Sat. 11th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Lukers, Shannonbridge, Co. Clare

Sun. 12th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Doolin Folk Festival, Doolin, Co. Clare
Kentucky Cow Tippers (GB), Mannion's, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo

Fri. 17th: Roni Stoneman (USA), 'Bluegrass evening', Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, Co. Antrim (presented by the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Cultural Group; all welcome)

Sat. 18th: Rackhouse Pilfer, The Strand, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

Sun. 19th: Roni Stoneman (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m., £10

Wed. 22nd: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Ryan’s Bar, Kilkenny city, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 23rd: Roni Stoneman (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry (with Hank Wedel and Ray Barron)
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Pine Marten launch debut EP, the Cobblestone, 77 North King St., Smithfield, Dublin, 8.30 p.m.; €10 (€12 with CD)

Fri. 24th: Rackhouse Pilfer, The Grand, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Tech Amergin Arts Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.
The Cat's Meow, the Oarsman, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
The Whileaways, Canavan's, Tuam, Co. Galway, 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 25th: Roni Stoneman (USA), private party at Rockies GAA Club, Blackrock, Cork city
Wookalily, Our Back Yard Festival, Portadown, Co. Armagh, 8.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Greyhound, Kilkee, Co. Clare
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Sin È, Cork city, 10.00 p.m.
Old Hannah, Thomas Connolly, Markievicz Rd, Sligo town
The Whileaways, The Creel, Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 26th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Nancy Blakes, Limerick city
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), house concert, Shanahoe, Co. Laois, 8.00 p.m.

Mon. 27th: Roni Stoneman (USA), Charlies, 2 Union Quay, Cork city (with Hank Wedel and Ray Barron)

Thurs. 30th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests; 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE

Thurs. 30th-Sun. 3rd July: 28th North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Conwy, north Wales


JULY 2016

Fri. 1st: Blue Light Smugglers, The Merry Ploughboy, Rathfarnham, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Cup O' Joe, Mullaghfad Church, Mullynavale Road, Cooneen, Fivemiletown, Co. Fermanagh BT75 0NL, 8.30 p.m.
Knotty Pine String Band, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, 8.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town

Sat. 2nd: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sun. 3rd: Rackhouse Pilfer, Donegal Town Summer Festival, 9.00 p.m.

Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Thurs. 7th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Sunflower Folk Club, Belfast

Fri. 8th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, with Charlie McGettigan
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Parish Hall, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, 8.30 p.m.; 087 9762337
Rackhouse Pilfer, The Strand, Strandhill, Co. Sligo
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 8th-Sat. 9th: Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree (also on Facebook), GAA Centre, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare: Woodbine, Hamilton County Ramblers (USA) (Sat.), Chanders Family, Evan & Amy Lyons; picking session on Sat. afternoon; evening concerts (8.30 p.m.) Fri. €10, Sat €15; two nights €20

Sat. 9th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; bookings 068 22566
Rackhouse Pilfer, Percy Whelans, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Sun. 10th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Tech Amergin, Waterville, Co. Kerry
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Tigh an Cheoil, Ring, Co. Waterford, 8.30 p.m.; 087 921771/ 087 9898560
Rackhouse Pilfer, Crockets on the Quay, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Mon. 11th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Monroe’s Live, Galway city
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771

Tues. 12th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Matt Molloy’s Acoustic Yard, Westport, Co. Mayo
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), An Spailpin Fanach, 27-9 South Main St., Cork city, 9.00 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 021 4277949

Wed. 13th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, Roots Room, Sligo town
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 087 1804870
JigJam, Seapoint Ballroom, Salthill, Galway (part of Galway International Arts Festival)

Thurs. 14th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry, The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, with Roy Thompson
Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Durty Nelly's, Bunratty, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 061 361861

Fri. 15th: Rackhouse Pilfer, The Grand, Killarney, Co. Kerry
'Songwriters in the Round': Gary Ferguson, Roy Thompson, Shane Sullivan, Naas Arts and Culture Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare

Fri. 15th-Sun. 17th: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal; Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Woodbine, Janet Holmes & Colin Henry, plus many guest pickers; contact Pat at 087 6900714

Sat. 16th-Sun. 17th: Dalriada Festival, Glenarm Castle, Co. Antrim: Down and Out Bluegrass Band (both days)

Sun. 17th: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport, Co. Down, 2.00 p.m.
'Songwriters in the Round': Gary Ferguson, Roy Thompson, Shane Sullivan, Tutty's Bar, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow

Tues. 19th: Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Clonmel Folk Club, Main Guard, Sarsfield St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; 085 8502289

Wed. 20th: Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Sunflower Bar, 65 Union St., Belfast BT1 2JG, 8.30 p.m.; 0044 7779721643

Thurs. 21st: Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.; 0044 77797120659
The Whileaways, Monroe's, Galway city, 1.00 p.m. (part of Galway Arts Festival)

Fri. 22nd: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, The John Hewitt, Bridge St., Belfast, 9.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Rooskey Heritage Festival, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon
Niall Toner Band, Kilkieran Cottage Restaurant, Castletown, Co. Kilkenny; book seats in advance at 087 1556121

Fri. 22nd-Sun. 24th: First Bluegrass Camp Ireland, Headfort School, Kells, Co. Meath: faculty includes Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Luke Coffey, Paddy Kiernan, more TBA; 087 4110931

Fri. 22nd-Sat. 23rd: Beer and Bluegrass Festival, St Aldhelm's Hall and Gardens, Poole Rd, Branksome, Poole, Dorset BH12 1AD, England: Old Hannah, many others; weekend ticket £25.00

Sat. 23rd: Hamilton County Ramblers (USA), Phil Murphy Weekend, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 11.00 p.m. (concert starts at 9.00 p.m.); 0877928613/ 051 561159
Rackhouse Pilfer, Mary of Dungloe Festival, Dungloe, Co. Donegal
The Whileaways, Village Theatre, Carrabane, Co. Galway
Sun. 24th: Mass in memory of Vinny Baker (d. 2013), St Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan, Co. Westmeath, 10.30 a.m.
Niall Toner Band, St Enda's. Rathfarnham, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Woodbine, Scarecrow Festival, Durrow, Co. Laois, 4.00 p.m.

Mon. 25th: Dom Flemons (USA), Whelans, Dublin 2

Tues. 26th: Dom Flemons (USA), Coughlans, Cork city

Wed. 27th: Dom Flemons (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway

Thurs. 28th: Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival Bluegrass Evening, Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, near Larne, Co. Antrim; 7.30 p.m.: Dublin Bluegrass Collective, Watery Hill Boys, Down and Out Bluegrass Band
Dom Flemons (USA), Cleere's, Kilkenny city
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Paddy Kiernan (banjo), Mick McNally (accordion/Cajun), David Burke (contemporary), Tom Horan (country); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE

Fri. 29th: Dom Flemons (USA), Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary)
Two Time Polka, Tower Hotel, The Mall, Waterford city, 10.30 p.m. Adm. free; 051 870129 (Spraoi Festival)

Sat. 30th: The Whileaways, Foxford Woollen Mills, Foxford, Co. Mayo [deferred because of clash with sporting event]
Two Time Polka, Three Shippes, William St., Waterford city, 10.30 p.m. Adm. free; 051 843178 (Spraoi Festival)
Brugrass Music Festival, the Wiley Fox, Eden Quay, Dublin: Dublin Bluegrass Collective, Huegrass, craft beer launch; inter-band jam finale, doors 8.00 p.m., adm. free


AUGUST 2016

Thurs. 4th: The Whileaways, Oranmore Castle of Song, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Thurs. 4th-Sun. 7th: Eleventh La Roche Bluegrass Festival, La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, France

Sat. 6th: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
The Whileaways, Campbell's, Headfort, Co. Galway (part of Headfest)
Two Time Polka, Eldon Bar, Dillon St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 10.30 p.m. Adm. free; 052 6122961 (Clonmel Busking Festival)
Dublin Bluegrass Collective play at 10th Guth Gafa International Documentary Film Festival, Headfort School, Kells, Co. Meath (same place as the recent Bluegrass Camp Ireland), between and after films
The Cat's Meow, the Oarsman, Bridge St., Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Sat. 6th-Sun. 7th: 'Bluegrass on the Walls', Derry city: Tennessee Hennessees (Armagh), Cool Hand String Band (Tyrone), Cup O' Joe (Armagh), Erdini (Donegal), The Swilly Blue Boys (Donegal) (Des Crerand, leader); on walls (Sat.), in Foyleside Shopping Centre (Sun.)

Mon. 8th: Cleek Schrey (USA), Rothe House, Kilkenny city, 10.30 p.m. (part of Kilkenny Arts Festival)

Wed. 10th: Ricky Skaggs (USA) and friends, 'Those ancient airs' concert, St Canice's cathedral, Kilkenny city, 7.30 p.m. (part of Kilkenny Arts Festival)

Fri. 12th: Cup O' Joe, Q Main Stage, Stendhal Festival of Art, Ballyvelin Rd, Limavady, BT49 0NG, 6.30-7.15 p.m.
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Loft Bar, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, 10.30 p.m.
Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, Joe Mac's, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 7.00-9.00 p.m.

Fri. 12th-Sun. 14th: Loudon Wainwright III (USA), three 'Surviving twin' concerts, Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny city (part of Kilkenny Arts Festival)

Fri. 12th-Sun. 14th: 2nd Blues, Roots, & Brass Festival, Whelan's, Camden St., Dublin 2: lineup includes Bluegrass Collective (USA), Pine Marten (Fri., Sat.); Dublin Bluegrass Collective (Sat. 7.00-9.00 p.m.), Niall Toner Band (Sat.), adm. free

Sun. 14th: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Cockle View Cottages, Groomsport, Co. Down, 2.00 p.m.

Wed. 17th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), Riverside Cafe, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Fri. 19th: Two Time Polka, Ballydehob Summer Festival, Ballydehob, Co. Cork. Open air, 10.00 p.m. Adm. free.
Pilgrim St, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Greenshine, High Tide Club, Castletown Bearhaven, Co. Cork

Sat. 20th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Cobblestone, 77 King St. North, Smithfield, Dublin 7

Sun. 21st: Two Time Polka, Hugh Lynch's Bar, Kilbride St., Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m. Adm. free; 087 2505422 (Canal Quarter Festival)
Foghorn Stringband (USA), Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Co. Down

Mon. 22nd: Foghorn Stringband (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Tues. 23rd: Foghorn Stringband (USA), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo

Wed. 24th: Wookalily, Castleward Estate, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 24th-Sun. 28th: Hotspot to Harbour Roots Revival Festival at the Hot Spot, Greystones, and Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow; many acts

Thurs. 25th: Elizabeth LaPrelle and Anna Roberts-Gevalt (USA), Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 25th-Sun. 28th: 22nd Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley in concert (Sat., Sun.), €20 (bookable by e-mail from 14 Feb. 2016); Foghorn Stringband (USA), Betse & Clarke (USA) (Fri.-Sat.); Lands End, Dr Bluegrass & the Illbilly 8 (UK), Mons Wheeler Band, Cup O’ Joe, One Horse Pony, Rackhouse Pilfer, Barefoot, New Breadwinners, Dublin Bluegrass Collective with Evan Lyons

Fri. 26th: Foghorn Stringband (USA), Five Glens Arts Festival, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Niall Toner Band with special guests Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly (part of Hotspot to Harbour Roots Revival Festival), Hot Spot Music Club, Greystones, Co. Wicklow); doors open 8.45 p.m.; tickets €13/€15

Fri. 26th-Sat. 27th: Sacred Harp Singers of Cork Sacred Harp Weekend: beginners workshop, Coughlan's, Douglas St., Cork city (Fri. 7.00-9.00 p.m.); all-day singing from The Sacred Harp, St Fin Barre's Hall, Dean St., Cork city (Sat. 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.)

Fri. 26th-Sun. 28th: Doolin Craft Beer and Roots Festival, Doolin, Co. Clare: I Draw Slow, The Whileaways, Tom Portman Trio, many others
Hilden Beer & Music Festival, Lisburn, Co. Antrim: Rackhouse Pilfer Sat., Sun.), Dr Bluegrass & the Illbilly 8 (UK), many others

Sun. 28th: Niall Toner (solo), Cavan, venue TBC

Wed. 31st: Betse & Clarke (USA), Bronte Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Niall Toner (solo), Stockhouse, Trim, Co. Meath


SEPTEMBER 2016

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 4th: 25th Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone: Band of Ruhks (USA), Corn Potato String Band (USA), Betse & Clarke (USA), Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL), Sunny Side (CZ), Red Wine (I), Dr Bluegrass & the Illbilly 8 (UK), Two Time Polka, Erdini, Broken String Band, Knotty Pine String Band, Northern Exposure, Geordie McAdam, Woodbine

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 4th: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Kemble Airfield, Glos. GL7 6BQ, England

Sat. 3rd: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free

Mon. 5th: Talk by Alister McReynolds, 'History of bluegrass', Comber Library, Co. Down 7.30-8.30 p.m.
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, McBride's on the Square, Comber, Co. Down, 9.00 p.m. (part of Ards and North Down Ulster Scots Festival)

Tues. 6th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Wed. 7th: Cup O’ Joe, Jonny the Jig, Holywood, Co. Down, 9.00 p.m. (part of Ards and North Down Ulster Scots Festival)

Thurs. 8th: Betse & Clarke (USA), Belfast American Folk and Roots Club, Black Box Green Room, Hill St., Belfast
Cup O’ Joe, Hop House, High St., Bangor, Co. Down, 9.00 p.m. (part of Ards and North Down Ulster Scots Festival)

Fri. 9th: Twentieth anniversary of the death of the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe
Betse & Clarke (USA), Beehive Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Wookalily, the Square Box, Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m., £8
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Hillsborough Scout & Community Hall, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.; £5 (part of Jolly Rooks Festival)
Two Time Polka, Sandino's Bar, Water St., Derry city; start 10.00 p.m., adm. free, 02871 309297
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 10th: Betse & Clarke (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Cup O’ Joe, 'All the Little Lights' stage, Moira estate, Co. Down (part of Moira Calling festival)
Cup O’ Joe, 'Bread and Blues Night', Courthouse/Market House, Hillsborough, Co. Down, 7.30 p.m.; £10, includes supper (part of Jolly Rooks Festival)
Two Time Polka, Ronnie's, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal; start 9.00 p.m., adm. free, 074 9136101 (part of Dunfanaghy Jazz & Blues Festival)
I Draw Slow, the Milford Room, Seven Oaks Hotel, Athy Rd, Carlow, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 11th: Two Time Polka, Molly's Bar, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, 2.30-4.30 p.m., adm. free, 074 9100050 (part of Dunfanaghy Jazz & Blues Festival)

Thurs. 15th: The Whileaways, Shoreline Festival, Portumna, Co. Galway

Fri. 16th: Knotty Pine String Band, the Kevlin Suite, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, the Dark Horse, 30-34 Hill St., Belfast, from 7.00 p.m.
Erdini, Chasin Bull, Main St., Bundoran, Co. Donegal ('full electric set')
The Whileaways, Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, Connemara; doors 8.00 p.m., show starts 9.00 p.m., €15

Fri. 16th-Sun. 18th: 13th Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4NY; Cup O' Joe, many more

Mon. 19th: Greenshine, Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway (part of Clifden Arts Festival), 10.00 p.m.

Fri. 23rd: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, The John Hewitt, Bridge St., Belfast, 9.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Douglas St., Cork; start 10.00 p.m., adm. free, 021 4961751 (part of Coughlan's Live Music Festival)
Chanters and Strummers present Tennessee Hennessees, Janet Dowd, Mons Wheeler, Never Too Late, Harry Welling, Shades of Blue; compere Leonard Shields; Tandragee Golf Club, Co. Armagh, doors open 7.30 p.m.; tickets £12 (inc. light supper) from Scarva Rea Rooms; info from Denver (079 00343113) or Melvyn (077 71776545)

Fri. 23rd-Sat. 24th: EBMA Bluegrass Gathering, Haus der Kultur, Waldkraiburg, Germany (deferred till spring 2017)

Fri. 23rd-Sun. 25th: 8th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, Moniaive, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland: 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/B), New Essex Bluegrass Band (England), Kentucky Cow Tippers (England), Sweet River Band (France), Stonebones & Bad Spaghetti (Portugal), Seven Sons (Scotland)

Sat. 24th: [CANCELLED] Two Time Polka, Greyhound Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare; start 10.00 p.m., adm. free, 065 9056555 (part of Che do Bheatha Festival) [CANCELLED]
The Henry Girls, Railway Tavern, Fahan, Co. Donegal, special guest Charlie Roth; doors open 9.00 p.m., €10
Wookalily, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 24th-Sun. 2nd Oct.: Bluegrass Tour America with Niall Toner

Sun. 25th-Mon. 26th: Wookalily, Winterfell MiniFest, Strangford, Co. Down (Game of Thrones Visitor Attraction)

Tues. 27th: Greenshine, 'Attic Sessions', Cove Bar, Waterford city, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 27th-Sat. 1st Oct.: International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass, Raleigh, NC, USA

Thurs. 29th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Sean McComish (contemporary), Capo Two (folk), Charlie Roth (USA; Americana); 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. FREE

Fri. 30th: 10th anniversary of the death of Burkett Howard 'Josh'/'Buck' Graves


OCTOBER 2016

Sat. 1st: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
Pilgrim St, the Sally Gardens, Rathkenny, Co. Meath (fundraiser for Newtown United F.C.); 9.30 p.m., €15
Watery Hill Boys, Carberry's, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Sat. 1st-Sun. 2nd: Bruff Bluegrass Festival, Clancy's Bar, Bruff, Co. Limerick: Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Well Enough Alone, Tin Box Company

Sun. 2nd: Woodbine, Tuohy's, Pound St., Rathdowney, Co. Laois

Tues. 4th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Fri. 7th: Wookalily, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Watery Hill Boys, Carberry's, Drogheda
Rackhouse Pilfer, McGings, Westport, Co. Mayo
St. Beaufort (D/CAN/USA), Levis' pub, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

Sat. 8th: Wookalily, Crusoe's Coffee Shop, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, 8.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town
St. Beaufort (D/CAN/USA), sessions in Ballydehob area

Sun. 9th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
St. Beaufort (D/CAN/USA), McGing's, Westport, Co. Mayo

Fri. 14th: Peter Harrington presents 'Life and music of Cowboy Jack Clement - singer, songwriter, producer, Nashville legend', Rory Gallagher Music Library, Grand Parade, Cork city, 11.00 a.m.; all welcome, admission free
Freakwater (USA), Phil Grimes Pub, 60 Johnstown, Waterford city
Wookalily, 'Roots Fridays', Belfast Empire, 10.30 p.m.
Niall Toner (solo), Beggy's, Navan, Co. Meath
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 15th: Freakwater (USA), Cleere’s Bar and Theatre, 28 Parliament St., Kilkenny city
Wookalily, Spookalily at Brownlow Castle Halloween Party, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 15th-Sun. 16th: Irish Steel Guitar Festival, Green Isle Hotel, Dublin

Sun. 16th: Freakwater (USA), Whelan’s, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2

Mon. 17th-Fri. 21st: Guitar workshop on swing, improvisation, and composition, by Kai Heumann, the Lighthouse, Valentia, Co. Kerry; five hours daily

Wed. 19th: Furnace Mountain (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Demolition String Band (USA), Matt Molloy’s, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Thurs. 20th: Furnace Mountain (USA), Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; 068 22566
Demolition String Band (USA), Matt Molloy’s, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Fri. 21st: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), recital, Cork City Library, 11.00 a.m.
Furnace Mountain (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Fri. 21st-Sun. 23rd: Bunratty Bluegrass Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), Demolition String Band (USA), Monogram (CZ), Cup O’ Joe, Woodbine, Greenshine, John Nyhan & Friends, Leo Hayes & Bill Forster, Blue Country; full timetable

Sat. 22nd: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), private event, 12.00 noon; recital, St Michael’s church, Blackrock, Cork, 6.00 p.m.; concert at the Rockies Club, Blackrock, Cork, 9.30 p.m.; 087 2944821
Furnace Mountain (USA), Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, Belfast
Eagle Music Shop's 'Banjo 10' Anniversary Event, North Light Gallery, Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7NR, England: includes JigJam, Pat Kelleher, Bill Forster
Wookalily, The Tap Room, Newcastle, Co. Down, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 23rd: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), Bunratty Bluegrass Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare, 3.00 p.m.; 087 7921771
Demolition String Band (USA), Levis Corner House, Main St., Ballydehob, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.
Henry Girls, Seamus Heaney Home Place (45 Main St., Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry), 1.00 p.m. (with chef Emmett McCourt)

Mon. 24th: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), visit to Lord Mayor, City Hall, Cork; show at Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771
Demolition String Band (USA), Charlies, 2 Union Quay, Cork city, with Hank Wedel

Tues. 25th: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA): free
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Sugar Club, Leeson St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 26th: IMRO showcase in Dublin, 7.00-9.30 p.m.
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.
Demolition String Band (USA), The Crowe's Nest, Cong, Co. Mayo

Thurs. 27th: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), drive back to Cork
The Whileaways, The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.
Demolition String Band (USA), Blarney Castle Hotel, Co. Cork, with Hank Wedel
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Angel Hannigan (contemporary), Sacre Blues Band (French), New Breadwinners (bluegrass), also special appearance by the Gram International Dublin All-Stars, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 28th: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA), Spells Bar, Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Gilroys, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo
Two Time Polka, Hamlets Bar, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 6.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209
Two Time Polka, South County Bar, West Village, Douglas, Cork, 10.30 p.m., adm. free; 021 4891574

Fri. 28th-Mon. 31st: 8th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Balla, Co. Mayo: Fri. 28th, Mannion's, 8.00 pm: Demolition String Band (USA); The Olde Woods, 10.00 pm: The Raines; Sat. 29th, The Olde Woods, 8.00 pm: Demolition String Band (USA); Mannion's, 10.00 pm: Barry & Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA); Sun. 30th, The Olde Woods, 8.00 pm: Rockytop String Band; Mannion's, 10.00 pm: Woodbine; Mon. 31st, Mannion's, 8.00 pm: Colonel Bullshot Rides Again

Sat. 29th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 8.30 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Percy Whelans, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Two Time Polka, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209

Sun. 30th: Barry and Holly Tashian & the E-5 Band (USA): free
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Triskel Christchurch, Cork city, 2.30 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Kilglass GAA Club, Kilglass, Co. Sligo
Demolition String Band (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford, Co. Galway
The Cat's Meow, Ardcarne Garden Cafe, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, from 2.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.30 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209
Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork. Start 10.00 p.m., adm free; 021 4291686
Down and Out Bluegrass Band, playing on the street in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, and from 10.00 p.m. in O'Briens Tavern, Glebe St., Mohill (Mohill Bluegrass Mini-Festival)

Mon. 31st: Rackhouse Pilfer, Tricky's McGarrigles, 11 O'Connell St., Sligo town
Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd., Cork. Start 6.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4291686


NOVEMBER 2016

Tues. 1st: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 2nd: Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.
Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 7.00 p.m.
Underhill Rose (USA), The Ivy, 33 South Main St., Naas, Co. Kildare

Thurs. 3rd: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8.30 p.m.
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, 8.00 p.m.
Underhill Rose (USA), Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Thurs. 3rd-Sun. 6th: 19th Banjo Gathering, Charlottesville, VA

Fri. 4th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Coach House Hotel, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, 8.00 p.m., with Rackhouse Pilfer
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Old Courthouse Theatre, Antrim town, 7.30 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, Coach House Hotel, Ballymoate, Co. Sligo
Underhill Rose (USA), Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Sat. 5th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
Wookalily, The Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Bangor Castle, Bangor, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Underhill Rose (USA), Bronte Music Club, Church Hill Rd, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Two Time Polka, Henchys Bar, St Lukes, Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4507833 (Henchys 10th Art Exhibition in aid of Anitas Orphanage, Cambodia)

Sun. 6th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Athy Community Arts Centre, Athy, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), The Black Box, Belfast, 8.00 p.m.
Niall Toner Band, Myshall Community School, Myshall, Co. Carlow
Underhill Rose (USA), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Mon. 7th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.

Tues. 8th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), McGregors (upstairs), Main St., Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m. (Sixmilebridge Folk Club presentation)

Wed. 9th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 10th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music), 8.30 p.m.; 'phone Gerry on (086)3389619

Fri. 11th: Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly, Hot Spot Music Club, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, doors 8.00 p.m.; €14 (€12 booked in advance)
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare; musicians and listeners welcome; from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 11th-Sat. 12th: 15th Al Ras Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Red Wine (I), many others

Sat. 12th: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.
Rackhouse Pilfer, the Square Box, Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m., £12
The Whileaways, Gig Room, Kinvara Area Music, Kinvara, Co. Galway
JigJam, album launch of Hello world, Tullamore Rugby Club, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 18th: The Whileaways, Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8.30 p.m., €10/€15, 071 9855833
Greenshine, Corner House, Coburg St., Cork city, 8.00 p.m.

Mon. 21st: Blue Light Smugglers back at the Blue Light pub, Barnacullia, Co. Dublin, after gigs in Canada

Thurs. 24th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 25th: Prairie Dawgs launch third album, Time is, the Grand Social, Dublin, with special guests TBA; doors open 8.00 p.m.
The Whileaways, support for the Saw Doctors (SOLD OUT), Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.


DECEMBER 2016

Thurs. 1st: 50th anniversary of the death of Carter Stanley
Deadline for band applications to play at 20th European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands (25-7 May 2017)
The Whileaways release Christmas single 'Everyone'

Fri. 2nd: An evening of shape note singing, Rowing Club, Woodquay, Galway, 6.00-9.00 p.m. (with Sacred Harp Singers of Cork)
Rackhouse Pilfer, Weigh Inn, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (sold out)
Bundoran Church of Ireland Christmas Charity Concert, Erdini, Charlie McGettigan, Bel Canto Choir; Maura Logue of 'Ros na Rún' MC; Bundoran Church of Ireland, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.
Pete Lamb, Ardilaun Hotel, Galway city, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 3rd: 2 Stroke String Sessions (old-time), Mountpleasant Inn, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 10.30 p.m.; adm. free
Wookalily, Byrne's Bar, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, 10.00 p.m.
The Rockies Christmas Party, Blackrock GAA Club, Church Rd, Blackrock, Cork city: Rackhouse Pilfer
Factor One with Andrew Basquille: EP launch at the Unitarian Church, Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.
The Whileaways' Christmas special concert, Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway; tickets bookable online
Pete Lamb, Sexton's, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 10.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Mastersons Steakhouse, Main St., Swords, Co. Dublin. Start 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 01 8903855
Niall Toner brings 'Roots Freeway' back to RTE Radio One for another thirteen-week run, 11.00 p.m.

Sun. 4th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Nancy Blake's, Limerick city
Country/bluegrass session/jam, Cawley's Hotel, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, 3.30-5.30 p.m.

Mon. 5th: I Draw Slow, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare (Ballymore Acoustic Gigs production)

Tues. 6th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Fri. 9th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Southern Hotel, Sligo town (sold out)
Ballymore Acoustic Gigs, 6th Annual 'Vibe for Larry', Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 10th: 20th anniversary of the death of John Duffey
Rackhouse Pilfer, Southern Hotel, Sligo town
Benefit concert for Cork Simon Community, Mills Inn, Cork, 9.30 p.m.: Greenshine, many others
Pete Lamb, Tully's, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 9.00 p.m.

Mon. 12th: Rackhouse Pilfer, McGarrigles, Sligo town

Fri. 16th: Rackhouse Pilfer, The Empire, Belfast
The Henry Girls, Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, 8.00 p.m.; tickets (€20) online

Sat. 17th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Pete Lamb, Sexton's, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 18th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Woodbine, featuring Evan Lyons, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 8.30 p.m.

Mon. 19th: Rackhouse Pilfer, McGarrigles, Sligo town

Fri. 23rd: Rackhouse Pilfer, Gilroys, Inniscrone, Co. Sligo

Mon. 26th: Rackhouse Pilfer, 5th on Teeling, Sligo town
Two Time Polka, The Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd., Cork, 6.30-8.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686

Wed. 28th: Rackhouse Pilfer, McGings, Westport, Co. Mayo

Thurs. 29th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Emma Butler (contemporary), Tom Horan (Americana), Neal Ryan (contemporary), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free
Rackhouse Pilfer, Abbey Hotel, Donegal

Fri. 30th: Two Time Polka, DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m., €17 (€15)
Rackhouse Pilfer, Percy Whelans, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Sat. 31st: Rackhouse Pilfer, Strand Bar, Sligo town (ticketed)
Two Time Polka, The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Start 10.15 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4871388

Owing to what appears to have been some sort of cyber attack (culprit unknown), the calendar from the beginning of 2017 up to mid September 2017 has been lost.



SEPTEMBER 2017

Fri. 15th-Sun. 17th: 14th Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall

Sat. 16th: Two Time Polka, Ronnie's, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. Start 9.00 p.m., adm. free; 074 9136101 (part of Dunfanaghy Jazz & Blues Festival)

Sun. 17th: Two Time Polka, Arnold's Hotel, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. 2.00-4.00 p.m., adm. free; 074 9136208 (part of Dunfanaghy Jazz & Blues Festival

Tues. 19th: Laura Cortese (USA), De Barra's Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork (part of Clonakilty Guitar Festival)

Thurs. 21st: I Draw Slow, St Kevin's Church of Ireland, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, 8.00 p.m., €20.00 (part of Music under the Mountains 2017)

Fri. 22nd: Rackhouse Pilfer launch new album Solar/Lunar, Sixth on Teeling, Sligo town; doors open 9.00 p.m., €11

Sat. 23rd: The Henry Girls, Theatre Royal, Waterford city< Two Time Polka, O'Mara's Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare; 10.30 p.m., adm. free; 065 9056286 (part of Che do Bheatha Festival)

Fri. 22nd-Sun. 24th: 9th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, Moniaive, Scotland: Ballinger Family Band with Matt Flinner (USA), The Horsenecks (USA/ England), Dapper McDans (Scotland), The Reckless Abandoners (England), Hot Rock Pilgrims (England), François Vola Trio (France), Legs Levens Appalachian Clog Dancers (Cumbria), Wayward Jane (Scotland)

Sun. 24th: The Henry Girls, Ballymaloe Grainstore, Co. Cork

Tues. 26th-Sat. 30th: IBMA World of Bluegrass, Raleigh, NC

Wed. 27th: 90th anniversary of the birth of Burkett Howard 'Buck'/'Josh' Graves

Thurs. 28th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Kate Dineen, Joyce Murphy, and Ruth Egan (contemporary folk), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Thurs. 28th: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Sunflower Folk Club, Belfast

Fri. 29th: Two Time Polka, The Empire Bar, 42 Botanic Ave., Belfast, Co. Antrim; 10.30 p.m., adm. free
Old Hannah, Hard Working Class Heroes Festival, Tara Building, Tara St, Dublin 2
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), The Cobblestone, Dublin, with CUA

Sat. 30th: Fifth Italian Bluegrass Meeting, Acoustic Guitar Village, Cremona, Italy
Pilgrim St, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.,€15
Two Time Polka, upstairs in Oliver Plunkett Bar, Cork city; 11.30 p.m., adm. free; 021 4222779 (part of Cork Folk Festival)
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Tech Amergin, Waterville, Co. Kerry


OCTOBER 2017

Mon. 2nd: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Crane Lane, Cork city

Tues. 3rd: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Wed. 4th: Pine Marten, Kaleidoscope Night, Bello Bar, Dublin
Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Thurs. 5th-Sat. 7th: The Whileaways (northern tour with Moving on Music; details TBA)

Fri. 6th: Mala & Fyrmoon (CH), Moy River Folk Club, Cloonacool, Co. Sligo

Fri. 6th-Sun. 8th: Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN

Sat. 7th: Bluegrass session led by Mel Corry and Sean McKerr, Corner House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 2.00-6.00 p.m.
Pilgrim St, Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, Co. Meath, details TBA

Sun. 8th: Clew Bay Critters, An Bhunn Abhain, Bridge St., Clooncarrabaun, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Pine Marten, Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Thurs. 12th: Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2

Fri. 13th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.
Knotty Pine String Band with the Drunken Lullabies, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; 8.00 p.m., £15.00
'Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music: his life and music' - presentation by John Nyhan to the monthly Country Music Circle, City Library, Grand Parade, Cork, 11.00 a.m.

Sat. 14th: The Whileaways, Dingle Folk Festival, Co. Kerry

Sat. 14th-Sun. 15th: Irish Steel Guitar Festival, Green Isle Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin

Thurs. 19th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Crusoe’s, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Fri. 20th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Munich String Band (D), The Village Pump, Rathangan, Co. Kildare

Fri. 20th-Sun. 22nd: Bunratty Bluegrass Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare: Slocan Ramblers (CAN; Sat.), Malina Brothers (CZ), Munich String Band (D). Propane Brothers (UK), Roger Green (USA), Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Kevin & Neil Garratt (UK), John Nyhan, Leo Hayes, Bill Forster;
Fri., Sat. and Sun. concerts €15 each; combined tickets (all three nights) €30, book at 0868464509

Sat. 21st: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Bunratty, Co. Clare
Tom Chapin (USA), Unitarian Church, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2: family show 3.00 p.m., grown-up show 8.00 p.m.; tickets

Sun. 22nd: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, Belfast; doors 7.30 p.m., £13/£10

Mon. 23rd: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), The Stormy Teacup, Limerick city: doors open 8.00 p.m., support act 8.20, Brennen & Noel on stage 9.00 p.m., €7

Tues. 24th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Munich String Band (D), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city (midnight gig, free admission)
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Finn's Pub, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, 9.00 p.m.
Funeral of Tom Paley at Golders Green crematorium, north London, 3.00 p.m., followed by session at Cecil Sharp House (5.00-8.00 p.m.)

Wed. 25th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Munich String Band (D), Old Schoolhouse, Clashmore, Co. Waterford
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Thomas Connolly Bar, Sligo town, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 26th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
Munich String Band (D), Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, details TBA
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests George Kaye and Gerry Madigan, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Bridge St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m.

Fri. 27th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), Sligo Live (Hawk's Well Theatre), Sligo town
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Leafy Greens Cafe, James St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.30 p.m. (ticketed event with very small capacity; more info at the venue)
Two Time Polka, Hamlets Bar, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209

Fri. 27th-Mon. 30th: Balla Bluegrass Festival, Mannion's and The Olde Woods, Balla, Co. Mayo: Munich String Band (D), Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay (USA), Woodbine, Colonel Bullshot Rides Again, more TBA

Sat. 28th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), High Tide Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
George Kaye and Gerry Madigan, Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; doors 8.00 p.m., sh0w 8.30; €16/€13 (in advance), €18/€15 (at door)
Wookalily, Tap Room, The Donard, Newcastle, Co. Down
Two Time Polka, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209

Sun. 29th: Slocan Ramblers (CAN), The Sky and the Ground, Wexford town
The Henry Girls, Achill Harp Festival, Co. Mayo
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway, 4.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209; Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork, 10 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686.

Mon. 30th: Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork, 6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 429168


NOVEMBER 2017

Sat. 4th: Bluegrass session led by Mel Corry and Sean McKerr, Corner House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 2.00-6.00 p.m.
George Kaye and Gerry Madigan, Rockies GAA Club, Blackrock, Cork
Michael Miles (USA), concert, Paddy Burke's, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway; doors open 8.15 p.m., support by Brian McGrath (tenor banjo)

Sun. 5th: George Kaye and Gerry Madigan, DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2

Mon. 6th: George Kaye and Gerry Madigan, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Michael Miles (USA), concert, details TBA

Tues. 7th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Wed. 8th: Michael Miles (USA), 'From Senegal to Seeger', Athy Community Arts Centre, Co. Kildare

Fri. 10th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 11th: The Henry Girls, Allingham Arts Festival, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Michael Miles (USA), Al Ras Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival, Barcelona

Sun. 12th: Clew Bay Critters, An Bhunn Abhain, Bridge St., Clooncarrabaun, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo

Mon. 13th: The Paperboys (CAN), Black Box, 18-22 Hill St., Belfast; (028) 90 24 44 00

Tues. 14th: The Paperboys (CAN), Bronte Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down

Wed. 15th: The Paperboys (CAN), Raheen House Hotel, 10 Raheen Rd, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music); 052 6122140

Tues. 21st-Sat. 16th Dec.: 9th Bluegrass Jamboree: festival of bluegrass & Americana music, 24 venues in Germany and Austria (Facebook)

Sat. 25th: Rhiannon Giddens (USA), Vicar Street, 59 Thomas St., Dublin
Molsky's Mountain Drifters (USA), Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary), 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 26th: Molsky's Mountain Drifters (USA), Coughlan's, 7 Douglas St., Cork city, 9.00 p.m.

Mon. 27th: Molsky's Mountain Drifters (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 30th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free
I Draw Slow, the Cinema, Main St., Naas, Co. Kildare (in aid of Naas Food Bank)

DECEMBER 2017

Sat. 2nd: Bluegrass session led by Mel Corry and Sean McKerr, Corner House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 2.00-6.00 p.m.
Niall Toner presents a new series of 'Roots Freeway' on RTE 1, 11.00 p.m.

Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, upstairs at Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast, from 9.00 p.m.; all welcome

Fri. 8th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m. (CANCELLED because of weather conditions)

Sun. 10th: Clew Bay Critters, An Bhunn Abhain, Bridge St., Clooncarrabaun, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Wookalily, Tap Room, The Donard, Newcastle, Co. Down

Sun. 17th: I Draw Slow, the Grand Social, Dublin 1; doors 8.00 p.m., show 8.30; €15.00

Mon. 18th: Special jam session at McNeill's, Capel St., Dublin: US guests Julie Chiles (fiddle), Zeb Gambill (mandolin, guitar)

Thurs. 28th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Alfie Trebble Band (Americana), Michael Lawlor (folk), Tom Horan (Americana), Vicky Sargeant (contemporary), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free
Greenshine with Sean Ryan, guests Brendan Begley, Colm Murphy, Alec Finn, at Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary), 9.00 p.m.; 'phone or text 087 2238040 for reservations
'Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass': Georgia Canto Choir with Tim Sharp (banjo), LeAndra Douds (harp), St Mary's Church of Ireland, Tipperary town​, 7.30 p.m., in concert with local trad and jazz group The Badgers; free concert, with collection in support of Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre Tipperary Town

Fri. 29th: Two Time Polka, Greyhound Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare, 10.00 p.m.; adm. free

Sat. 30th: Two Time Polka, Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork. Start 10.00 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 021 4772209
'Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass': Georgia Canto Choir with Tim Sharp (banjo), LeAndra Douds (harp), Villierstown Church Hall, Villierstown, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, 7.30 p.m., in concert with members of Comeraghs Comhaltas – Cuil na Smear; tickets €10, all proceeds to Villierstown Church Hall Restoration Fund

Sun. 31st: Two Time Polka, White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Start 10.30 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 021 4871388


JANUARY 2018

Mon. 1st: Woodbine, Touhy's Bar, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, 9.30 p.m.

​Tues. 2nd: 'Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass': Georgia Canto Choir with Tim Sharp (banjo), LeAndra Douds (harp), ​Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, 8.00 p.m., in concert with Niall Hughes (double bass), Paul Kelly (fiddle), Luke Coffey (drums), Hugh Taggart (guitar); free concert
Fri. 12th: Dorris Paul Warren died, 1978

Mon. 15th: Peter Van Kuykendall born, 1938

Thurs. 18th-Mon. 22nd: 19th Shannonside Winter Music Festival, details TBA (Facebook)

Thurs. 18th-Sun. 4th Feb.: Celtic Connections, Glasgow, Scotland

Fri. 19th: Two Time Polka The Old House, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m.; adm. free (part of Shannonside Winter Music Festival)

Sat. 20th: Two Time Polka McGregor's Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 10.00 p.m.; adm. free (part of Shannonside Winter Music Festival)

Sun. 21st: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Ó Gliasáin's Concert Room (new venue), Sixmilebridge, 3.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka O'Gliasáin's Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 4.30 p.m.; adm. free (part of Shannonside Winter Music Festival)

Mon. 22nd: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.
Tues. 23rd: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

Thurs. 25th: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Rossmore Theatre, Rossmore, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 448 1086
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Aine Holland (contemporary), Aine Furey with N.C. Lawlor (contemporary folk), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 26th: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 029 56239
Ballydehob, Co. Cork: Propane Brothers (UK), Levis's Corner House Bar, 10.00 p.m.; Hubert Murray Bluegrass Band (IRL), Rosie's Bar, 10.00 p.m. (part of 'Heart & Home: a celebration of Old Times, Good Times & Bluegrass')

Sat. 27th: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), headline concert, Community Hall, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; Hubert Murray Bluegrass Band (IRL),, Levis's Corner House Bar, 10.00 p.m.; Propane Brothers (UK), Rosie's Bar, 10.00 p.m. (part of 'Heart & Home: a celebration of Old Times, Good Times & Bluegrass'); tel. 086 837 0518; e-mail
Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Two Time Polka, The Kasbah, White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, 11.00 p.m.; adm. free; 021 4871388 (part of Ballincollig Winter Music Festival)
Hayseed Dixie (USA), Roisin Dubh, Galway city

Sun. 28th: Levis's Corner House Bar, Ballydehob, Co. Cork: jam session, lunchtime (part of 'Heart & Home: a celebration of Old Times, Good Times & Bluegrass')
Martin Harley (UK) and Daniel Kimbro, the Printworks, Dublin Castle: 'Folk Gala' with Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer and I Draw Slow (part of Dublin Tradfest)
Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Old Schoolhouse, Clashmore, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 414 8651
Hayseed Dixie (USA), Dolan’s, Limerick city

Mon. 29th: Hayseed Dixie (USA), Cyprus Avenue, Caroline St., Cork city

Tues. 30th: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Clonmel Folk Club, Town Hall, Parnell St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 085 850 2289
Hayseed Dixie (USA), Whelan’s, Wexford St., Dublin 2

Wed. 31st: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 068 22566
Hayseed Dixie (USA), Empire Music Hall, Belfast


FEBRUARY 2018

Thurs. 1st: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Mannion's Pub, Balla, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 229 6018

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 4th: 44th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards & 35th National Convention & Band Championship. Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

Fri. 2nd: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 0044 7736 837779

Sat. 3rd: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Nesbitt Arms, Ardara, Co. Donegal, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 690 0714

Sun. 4th: Greg Blake Bluegrass Band (USA), Finn's Ale House, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 977 8347

Thurs. 8th-Sun. 11th: FOAOTMAD old-time music festival, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England (tickets available to general public from 1 Jan. 2018)

Fri. 9th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 16th: Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones (USA), The American Bar, 65 Dock St., Belfast
Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Mick Daly; Ballinderreen Community Centre, Co. Galway, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 16th-Sun. 18th: First Annual Irish Old Time Appalachian Music Gathering, Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare (Facebook)

Sat. 17th: Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Mick Daly; Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (between Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, and Birr), 9.00 p.m.
Chris Luquette and the Old American Folk Trio (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m. (doors open 8.00); tickets €16 / €13 (advance booking), €18 / €15 (door)

Sun. 18th: Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Mick Daly; Coughlan's, Cork city, 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sat. 24th: 'Banjo 11/ The Banjo Event of the Year', Eagle Music Shop, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, England: Greg, Janet, and Jamie Deering, Kruger Brothers, Pat Kelleher, Bill Forster, many others

Mon. 26th: Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones (USA), old-time workshops, concert, and jam in Sin E, Ormond Quay, Dublin, from 6.30 p.m., details here; contact Derek Copley, 087 2726007 or e-mail

Wed. 28th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone


MARCH 2018

Thurs. 1st: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo

Fri. 2nd: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Market Place Theatre, Armagh city
Henhouse Prowlers (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
The Whileaways, Gateway Hotel, Swinford, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 4th: Eighth Ireland Sacred Harp Convention, St Maries of the Isle N.S., Bishop St., Cork city; details on Sacred Harp Singers of Cork website

Sat. 3rd: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin [POSTPONED]
Henhouse Prowlers (USA), Leeson Lounge, 148 Leeson St. Upper, Dublin 4

Sun. 4th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork [CANCELLED because of inclement weather]
Henhouse Prowlers (USA), Enler Delta Blues Club, Newtownards, Co. Down

Mon. 5th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
I Draw Slow, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m., €15 (Ballymore Acoustic Gigs)
Sydney 'Syd' Nathan died, 1968

Tues. 6th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Sixmilebridge Folk Club, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
Don Stover born, 1928

Wed. 7th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Clayton Hotel, Belfast (part of Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival)

Wed. 7th-Sun. 11th: 14th Panarts Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and Convention, Belfast

Thurs. 8th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Fri. 9th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Empire Bar, 42 Botanic Ave., Belfast, 10.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 10th: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary)

Thurs. 15th: The Whileaways, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m. (Moving On Music)

Fri. 16th: The Whileaways, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m. (Moving On Music)

Sat. 17th: Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford town, 12.30 p.m., adm. free, 053 9122303; T. Morris, Monck St., Wexford town, 4.30 p.m., adm. free, 053 9124323

Sun. 18th: Woodbine, Finn's Ale House, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd: The Whileaways, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast, 8.00 p.m. (Moving On Music)

Fri. 23rd: The Whileaways, Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m. (Moving On Music)

Sat. 24th: The Whileaways, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh city, 8.00 p.m. (Moving On Music)

Mon. 26th: Greenshine, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m., €12 (Ballymore Acoustic Gigs)

Thurs. 29th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Liam Ora, Lucas Hennessy (Dave Hennessy & Lynda Lucas), and 'Bua', 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 30th: The Lowest Pair (USA), High Tide Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Two Time Polka, Greyhound Bar, Kilkee, Co. Clare, 10.00 p.m., adm. free
Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 31st: The Lowest Pair (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin


APRIL 2018

Fri. 6th: East of Monroe (USA), private engagement

Sat. 7th: East of Monroe (USA), Moy River B&B, Cloonacool, Co. Sligo, 8.00 p.m. (tickets 071 9121902)
Maria Levine with Gathering Time (USA), Old Schoolhouse, Clashmore, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 045 4458

Sun. 8th: East of Monroe (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Maria Levine with Gathering Time (USA), Muintir na Tire Hall, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 691 3980

Mon. 9th: Maria Levine with Gathering Time (USA), Village Arts Centre, The Square, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

Tues. 10th: Maria Levine with Gathering Time (USA), O Gliasain's Pub Concert Room, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 086 846 4509

Thurs. 12th: East of Monroe (USA), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 13th: East of Monroe (USA), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 14th: East of Monroe (USA), Blackrock National Hurling Club ('The Rockies'), Cork city

Mon. 16th: Musical tribute to Larry Roddy, Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin 2: I Draw Slow, Mick Hanly, Kevin Conneff, Paul Kelly, Frankie Lane, John Murphy, Niall Toner, John Spillane, Roy Thompson, Clive Barnes, Niamh Parsons, Caoimhe Hogarty; €15 (all proceeds to Dublin Simon Community)

Thurs. 19th: Sheesham, Lotus & Son (CAN), Marrowbone Bookstore, Dublin, 7.00 p.m.; Sin E (downstairs), Ormond Quay, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 20th: Sheesham, Lotus & Son (CAN), Levis Corner House, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

Sat. 21st: Sheesham, Lotus & Son (CAN), Shoot the Crows, Sligo town, 6.00 p.m.; The Strand Bar, Strandhill, Co. Sligo, 10.00 p.m.
Mules & Men, Horseman's Inn, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

Sun. 22nd: Mules & Men, Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Runah (contemporary), Pat McSweeney (Americana), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Thurs. 26th-Sun. 29th: 31st MerleFest, Wilkesboro, NC

Sat. 28th: Launch party for 12th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, McGing's, High St., Westport, Co. Mayo: Rosa Kinsella, Mules & Men, 9.30 p.m., adm. free


MAY 2018

Thurs. 3rd: Jimmy Bozeman and the Lazy Pigs (USA/CZ), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 792 1771

Fri. 4th: Jimmy Bozeman and the Lazy Pigs (USA/CZ), Finn's Ale House, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, 8.30 p.m.; 087 977 8347

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: 5th Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Weekend, Co. Kerry: Mules & Men, Jimmy Bozeman and the Lazy Pigs (USA/CZ), more

Fri. 4th-Mon. 7th: 21st Kilkenny Roots Festival, Kilkenny city

Fri. 4th-Mon. 7th: Crossover Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton, Cheshire, England: Molly Tuttle (USA), many more

Sun. 6th May: Molly Tuttle and Rachel Baiman (USA), JJ Harlow's, The Square, Roscommon town

Mon. 7th: Molly Tuttle and Rachel Baiman (USA), Cleere's Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny city (part of 21st Kilkenny Roots Festival) [SOLD OUT]

Tues. 8th: Molly Tuttle and Rachel Baiman (USA), Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
Benjamin Edward 'Benny' Martin born, 1928

Wed. 9th: Elizabeth LaPrelle and Anna Roberts-Gevalt (USA), Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 10th-Sat. 12th: European Bluegrass Festival Voorthuizen, NL; organised by Bluegrass Voorthuizen, details TBA

Thurs. 10th-Sun. 13th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork; details TBA

Fri. 11th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.
I'm With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan), Rosemary Street 1st Presbyterian Church, Belfast, 8.00 p.m. (part of Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival)
Brittany & Natalie Haas (USA), Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; doors 8.00 p.m., €13 / €10 (advance), €15 / €12 (on the door)

Fri. 11th-Sat. 12th: 16th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, Bühl/Baden, Germany

Sat. 12th: I'm With Her (USA), Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 12th-Sun. 13th: Bluegrass Weekend, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois: Prairie Jaywalkers (Sat., 9.00 p.m.); Woodbine (Sun., 9.00 p.m.); 'Early Bird' pickin' session, Sun. afternoon

Sun. 13th: Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.

Tues. 15th: Woody Pines (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Wed. 16th: Woody Pines (USA), Crusoe’s, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Thurs. 17th: Woody Pines (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
Dorris Paul Warren born, 1918

Fri. 18th: Woody Pines (USA), Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow

Fri. 18th-Sun. 20th: 'Albion to Appalachia' residential weekend commemorating Cecil Sharp & Maud Karpeles song-collecting in Appalachia, 1918; Halsway Manor, Somerset, England

Sat. 19th: World Fiddle Day
Woody Pines (USA), Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Sat. 19th-Sat. 26th: Old Time Music Week, La Fuente, Andalusia, southern Spain

Fri. 25th: Alec Somerville, Dalbeattie Acoustic Club, Maxwell Arms, Dalbeattie, Scotland, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 31st: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Mick Brady & Chris Burke, Mick McNally, Lucas & Hennessy, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free


JUNE 2018

Fri. 1st: Two Time Polka, the Harley Tent, Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry, 10.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Ireland BikeFest 2018)

Sat. 2nd: Two Time Polka, Holohan's Bar, Slaney Place, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, 10.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Strawberry Roots Festival)

Sun. 3rd: Two Time Polka, main stage (open air), Clashmore, Co. Waterford, 7.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Strings & Things Festival)
Two Time Polka, Treacy's Hotel, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, 11.30 p.m., adm. free (part of Enniscorthy Roots Festival)

Wed. 6th: The Small Glories (CAN), Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Thurs. 7th: Hot Rock Pilgrims, Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Gold Heart Sisters (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
The Small Glories (CAN), Coughlan's Bar, Cork city, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 8th: Two Time Polka, Lighthouse Bar, Allihies, Co. Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Michael Dwyer Festival)
Hot Rock Pilgrims, Cobblers Bar, Westport, Co. Mayo, doors 9.30 p.m. (part of Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival)
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.
The Small Glories (CAN), Cleere's Bar & Theatre, 28 Parliament St., Kilkenny city, 9.30 p.m., €15

Fri. 8th-Sun.10th: 12th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo: Gold Heart Sisters (USA), Buffalo Gals (UK),  G–runs ‘n’ Roses (CZ), Thunderbridge Bluegrass (UK), Hot Rock Pilgrims (UK), Brendan Butler Trio, The Big Muddy, more

Sat. 9th: Hot Rock Pilgrims, Town Hall Theatre, Westport, Co. Mayo (part of Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival)
The Small Glories (CAN), Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary)

Sun. 10th: Hot Rock Pilgrims, Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, doors 8.00 p.m.
The Small Glories (CAN), Monroe's Tavern, Galway city, 8.30 p.m.

Mon. 11th: Gold Heart Sisters (USA), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Tues. 12th: Hot Rock Pilgrims, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.

Wed. 13th: Mules & Men launch debut single 'Procrastination blues', American Bar, Belfast, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 14th: Two Time Polka, Kennedy’s Bar, Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 11, 80336 Munich, Germany, 10.00 p.m., adm. free
Hot Rock Pilgrims, The Secret Garden, Galway city, doors 7.00 p.m.

Fri. 15th: Two Time Polka, Kilians Bar, Frauenplatz 11, 80331 Munich, Germany, 9.00 p.m., adm. free
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), American Bar, Belfast
Hot Rock Pilgrims, Levis's Bar, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

Fri. 15th-Sat. 16th: 46th Banjo Jamboree, Čáslav, Czech Republic (oldest bluegrass festival in Europe)

Sat. 16th: Two Time Polka, main stage (open air), Rindermarkt, 80331 Munich, Germany, 9.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Irish Bayrisch Festival)
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Leo's Tavern, Meenaleck, Co. Donegal
Hot Rock Pilgrims, Strand Bar, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 17th: Two Time Polka, main stage (open air), Rindermarkt, 80331 Munich, Germany, 3.00-5.00 p.m., adm. free (part of Irish Bayrisch Festival)
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), house concert, Derry
Hot Rock Pilgrims, Blue Light, Sandyford, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 19th: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Finn's Bar, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary

Wed. 20th: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Bridge St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Thurs. 21st: Edward Windsor 'Eddie' Adcock born, 1938
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Fri. 22nd: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Levis', Ballydehob, Co. Cork

Fri. 22nd-Sun. 24th: 2nd BAND Festival, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal; Mules & Men, Two Time Polka, Erdini, Hillbilly Rednecks, Wookalily, Rye River Band, The Burying Ground, more

Sat. 23rd: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), house concert, Westport, Co. Mayo

Sun. 24th: Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway

Thurs. 28th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Elga Fox, Gillian Tuite, Blue Light Smugglers, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sat. 30th: Rye River Band, Brazen Head, 20 Bridge St. Lower, Dublin 8, 10.00 p.m.


JULY 2018

Tues. 3rd: Chris Jones, Sally Jones, and Joanna Jones (USA/CAN), Mallow Library, Thomas Davis St., Mallow, Co. Cork, 3.00 p.m., tel. 087 792 1771; house concert, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m. (places limited), tel. 087 792 1771; support at house concert by Pat Horgan of Dizzy Blues Band

Thurs. 5th: Mitchell Franklin 'Mitch' Jayne (the Dillards) born, 1928
Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Sunflower Folk Club, Belfast; £5.00; doors 8.30 p.m., show 9.00

Fri. 6th: James Wallace Lewis (Lewis Family) born, 1928
Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Moy River Folk Club house concert, Cloonacool, Co. Sligo; bookings 071 9121902; €20 (includes complimentary beer/wine and supper!)
Two Time Polka, Oliver Plunkett Bar, Cork city, upstairs, 10.00 p.m. Adm. free; 021 4222779

Sat. 7th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Mullarkeys, Clifden, Co. Galway

Sun. 8th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Tech Amergin Arts Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry; 8.00 p.m.; €15 / €12; prebooking essential, 066 9478956/ admin@techamergin.com
Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.

Sun. 8th-Wed. 18th: First leg of tour by California Feetwarmers (USA: ragtime, '20s jazz, swing)

Mon. 9th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, The Record Break, Lower Market St. Carpark, Ennis, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m.; +353 65 670 6817; €15
McLain Family Band (USA), Dungarvan Singers Club, Merry's Bar and Restaurant (upstairs), Lower Main St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 064 0542

Tues. 10th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, private party, Westport, Co. Mayo
Béla Fleck born, 1958
McLain Family Band (USA), Steamboat Music, 4 Steamboat Quay, Limerick city, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 165 2278

Wed. 11th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Roots Room, Kennedy's Bourbon Bar, Sligo town, 8.00-11.00 p.m.; +353 87 274 5389
McLain Family Band (USA), Spells Bar, Pound St., Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 086 191 4355

Thurs. 12th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, Sessions in the House, Castledawson, Co. Londonderry; recording session
McLain Family Band (USA), Clew Bay Hotel, James St., Westport, Co Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 757 0958

Fri. 13th: Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry, The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; 8.30 p.m., +44 7747 120659
Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 13th-Sat. 14th: Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree, Athy, Co. Kildare; Friday night: Evan & Amy Lyons (Tipperary), Prairie Jaywalkers (Cork), Woodbine (Athy); Saturday: Pat Kelleher (Cork) with Joe Zejac (USA), Gary Ferguson (USA), Colin Henry, James Henry (Belfast), Clem O'Brien Unit (Athy)

Sat. 14th: Rye River Band, Brazen Head, 20 Bridge St. Lower, Dublin 8, 10.00 p.m.
McLain Family Band (USA), The Merry Monk, Killala Rd, Kilmoremoy, Ballina, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 255 7188

Sun. 15th: 'Songwriters in the Round', DC Music Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 2: Gary Gene Ferguson (USA), Mary Greene, Roy Thompson, and Hank Wedel; 087 682 5306
McLain Family Band (USA), Church of Ireland, Bruff, Co. Limerick, 8.00 p.m., tel. 086 302 7976

Mon. 16th: McLain Family Band (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m., tel. 087 792 1771
Launch of Kevin Martin's A happy type of sadness: a journey through Irish country music (Mercier Press), Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.; all welcome

Tues. 17th: McLain Family Band (USA), O Gliasan's Pub (concert room), Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m., tel. 086 846 4509 (Sixmilebridge Folk Club Presentation)
California Feetwarmers (USA), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Wed. 18th: McLain Family Band (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m., tel. 068 22566
California Feetwarmers (USA), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 19th: McLain Family Band (USA), Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co .Clare, 9.00 p.m., tel. 087 688 1650
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Clashmore, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; outdoors or in the Old Schoolhouse. Tel. 087 414 8651

Fri. 20th: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Mannion's Pub, Balla, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m., tel. 087 229 6018

Fri. 20th-Sun. 22nd: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), McLain Family Band (USA), Mules & Men

Sun. 22nd: Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford town, open air, 3.30 p.m. Adm. free; 053 9122303

Wed. 25th: Raymond McLain, the Price Sisters, and students from Kentucky Center for Traditional Music: free concert, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, 2.00 p.m.; admission by advance booking only

Thurs. 26th: Raymond McLain, the Price Sisters, and students from Kentucky Center for Traditional Music: free concert, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, 7.00 p.m.; admission by advance booking only

Thurs. 26th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Susan Mary Ward, Future Fears, Aine Holland, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free
Rapidgrass (USA), TBA

Thurs. 26th-Sun. 29th: Second leg of tour by California Feetwarmers (USA: ragtime, '20s jazz, swing)

Fri. 27th: Cairncastle Ulster Scots Bluegrass & Folk Cross-Community Festival, Bluegrass Evening, Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, Co. Antrim: Mules & Men, Prairie Jaywalkers, 7.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Skibbereen Arts Festival: Bridge St., Skibbereen, Co. Cork, open air, 9.30 p.m. Adm. free.
Rapidgrass (USA), TBA

Fri. 27th-Sat. 28th: International Beer & Bluegrass Festival, Poole, Dorset, England

Sat. 28th: Rye River Band, Brazen Head, 20 Bridge St. Lower, Dublin 8, 10.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Mallow Arts Festival: Ocanas Bar, Bank Place, Mallow, Co. Cork, 10.00 p.m. Adm. free; 02258263
Rapidgrass (USA), TBA

Sun. 29th: Raymond McLain, Price Sisters, Woodsheep (USA): Summer Choral Concert at Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery, 121-2 James St., Dublin, 5.30 p.m.; free but ticketed
Two Time Polka, Phil Murphy Weekend: Colfer's Bar, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 3.30 p.m. Adm. TBC; 051 561159
Rapidgrass (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Mon. 30th-Fri. 3rd Aug.: Bluegrass fiddle and mandolin workshops by Heidi Carson-Hair (O'Connor Method approved teacher), White Park Bay Bothy, Co. Antrim, 4.00-5.30 daily; £60 for the week, £15 per session; for info phone 07739026811


AUGUST 2018

Wed. 1st-Sun. 5th: 13th La Roche Bluegrass Festival, La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, France: lineup includes Molly Tuttle, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Rapidgrass (USA), Red Wine (I), I Draw Slow, Pine Marten (IRL)

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 5th: Whelan's Trad & Folk Festival 2018, Wexford St., Dublin 2; I Draw Slow (Sat.), many others

Sat. 4th: Phantompickers, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, 2.00-3.30 p.m. (part of CoCo Markets Summer of Music)
Rye River Band, Brazen Head, 20 Bridge St. Lower, Dublin 8, 10.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Bailey's, New St., Waterford city; open air, 4.30-6.00 p.m., adm. free; Tully's Bar, O'Connell St., Waterford city, 11.30 p.m., adm. free; 051 301639 (part of Spraoi Festival)

Sun. 5th: Two Time Polka, The Three Shippes, William St., Waterford city, 10.30 p.m., adm. free; 051 843178 (part of Spraoi Festival)

Tues. 7th: Belfast Bluegrass Session, upstairs at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 10th: Two Time Polka, Mitchell St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary; open air, 2.00-2.45 p.m., adm. free; Moran's Bar, Parnell St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 052 6122294 (part of Clonmel Busking Festival)

Fri. 10th-Sat. 11th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), Limavady, Co. Londonderry (part of Stendhal Festival)

Sat. 11th: Two Time Polka, Charlemont Arms Hotel, Upper English St., Armagh city, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 0044 283752 2028 (part of 7 Hills Blues Festival)

Sun. 12th: Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Armagh City Hotel, Friary St., Armagh city, 9.00 p.m., adm. free; 0044 283751 8888 (part of 7 Hills Blues Festival)

Wed. 15th: Benjamin 'Ben' Eldridge born (Seldom Scene), 1938
'Mean Mary' James (USA), Bridge St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Thurs. 16th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Pat Burgess, Paddy Faughnan, Joe Thoma, Crowley’s Bar, Henry St., Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Fri. 17th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), Crusoe's Coffee Shop, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry

Fri. 17th-Sun. 19th: Dublin Blues, Roots & Brass Festival, Whelan's. Wexford St., Dublin 2; Mules & Men, many others

Sat. 18th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), Market Place Theatre, Armagh city

Sun. 19th: 'Mean Mary' James (USA), Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Thurs. 23rd: Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters (USA), Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
Demolition String Band (USA), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo

Thurs. 23rd-Sun. 26th: 24th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford: Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters (USA), the Brothers Parker (USA), Whiskey Deaf (4-piece) (USA), Demolition String Band (USA) (Sat., Sun.), Woodbine, Pilgrim St, Mons Wheeler Big Band, Backyard Band, Custer's Last Band (Paul Nolan), Bert & Henry (UK), Kiss My Grass, Charlie Reader, Vickers Vimy, Whistle

Fri. 24th: Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters (USA), High Tide Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Demolition String Band (USA), Moy River B&B, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Sat. 25th: Cork All-Day Sacred Harp Singing, St Fin Barre's Cathedral Hall, Dean St., Cork city, 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. (singing from the Shenandoah Harmony on Sun. 26th, see Sacred Harp Singers of Cork website)

Sun. 26th: Two Time Polka, Haven Hotel, Dock Rd., Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, 6.00 p.m., adm. free; 051 383150

Mon. 27th: Demolition String Band (USA), The Sky and the Ground, 112 South Main St., Wexford town, 8.00 p.m.
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

Tues. 28th: Demolition String Band (USA), Finn's Bar, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary

Wed. 29th: Demolition String Band (USA), Bridge Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Merry's Bar and Restaurant (upstairs), Lower Main St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 064 0542

Thurs. 30th: Demolition String Band (USA), Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo
Whiskey Deaf duet (USA), Sunflower Folk Club, Belfast
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Fleming's Bar, Scartaglen, Co. Kerry, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 781 4781
Marisa Anderson (USA), Black Box, Belfast; doors 7.45 p.m.; $14/ £10 (presented by Moving On Music)

Fri. 31st: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Spailpin Fanach Bar (upstairs), 29 South Main St., Cork city, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

Fri. 31st-Sun. 2nd Sept.: 27th Annual Bluegrass Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Castletown, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; Darin & Brooke Aldridge (USA), Mike Compton & Joe Newberry (USA), the Demolition String Band (USA), Whiskey Deaf (USA), Fellow Pynins (USA), the Allen Family Reunion (CAN), Old Salt Collective (BE), Midnight Skyracer (UK), Old Baby Mackerel (UK), Geordie McAdam, the Henrys (Colin, Janet, and James), Two Time Polka, Broken String Band, Northern Exposure, Bluegrass Festival Choir


SEPTEMBER 2018

Sat. 1st: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), E.J. Morrissey's Pub, Dublin St., Carlow town, Co. Carlow, 10.00 p.m.; tel. 086 257 6343

Sat. 1st-Sun. 2nd: Second and third days of 27th Annual Bluegrass Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Castletown, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sun. 2nd: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

Mon. 3rd: Whiskey Deaf duet (USA), Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Steamboat Music Shop, Steamboat Quay, Limerick city, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086 165 2278

Tues. 4th: Belfast Bluegrass Session, upstairs at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE, 9.00 p.m.
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Clonmel Folk Club, Town Hall, Parnell St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 085 850 2289

Fri. 7th: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), The Merry Monk Bar and Restaurant, Kilalla Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 255 7188

Wed. 5th: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), St John's Theatre, The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 068 22 566

Fri. 7th-Sun. 9th: Sweet Sunny South Old Time American Music Festival, Music at the Buildings, Ashington, West Sussex, England

Sat. 8th: Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), The Beehive Bar, Main St., Ardara, Co. Donegal, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 690 0714

Sun. 9th: Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.
Brothers Parker Bluegrass Band (USA), Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 229 6018
Gwenifer Raymond, Whelan's (upstairs), Wexford St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 11th: Vickers Vimy, Acoustic Yard Sessions, Matt Molloy's, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo

Sat. 15th: Landless (four-part harmony; supported by Eilís Lavelle, harp), Upper Gallery, the MAC, Belfast; doors open 9.00 p.m.; £12/ £8 (book online)

Sun. 16th: Woodbine, Finn's Ale House, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, 8.30 p.m. [CANCELLED]
Pilgrim St, Theatre Royal, Waterford city

Wed. 19th: Lawrence Carlton Haney born, 1928

Wed. 19th-Sat. 22nd: 44th Annual Hall of Fame & Uncle Pen Days Festival, Bill Monroe Music Park, Bean Blossom, Indiana, USA

Thurs. 20th: Midnight Run (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m.; tel. 093 354 54

Fri. 21st: Sacred Harp Dublin, Friary Centre, Cook St., Dublin 7, 7.00-9.00 p.m. (part of Culture Night 2018)
Midnight Run (USA), O Gliasain's Pub, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m.; admission free (part of Culture Night 2018); concert preceded by talk with music on Irish connections and influence on bluegrass; 086 846 4509

Sat. 22nd: Pilgrim St, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Midnight Run (USA), Coastguard Cultural Centre, Love Lane, Tramore, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; 051 391 656
Old Hannah, St John the Baptist Cathedral, John St., Cashel, Co. Tipperary, 9.00 p.m., €14 (part of Cashel Arts Festival)

Sun. 23rd: Pilgrim St, Black Box, Belfast
Midnight Run (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.; 029 56 239, 087 792 1771

Mon. 24th: Midnight Run (USA), Merry's Bar and Restaurant, Lower Main St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.30 p.m.; 087 064 0542

Tues. 25th: Midnight Run (USA), St John's Theatre, The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; 068 22 566

Tues. 25th-Sat. 29th: IBMA's World of Bluegrass, Raleigh, NC

Wed. 26th: Midnight Run (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 27th: Midnight Run (USA), Lissan House, Drumgrass Rd, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.; 02886 763 312 or Eventbrite online.
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Emma Butler (contemporary), Enda O'Connor (folk-rock), Ben Prevo (blues guitar), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 28th-Sun. 30th: 10th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, Moniaive, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland; Midnight Run (USA), many others

Sun. 30th: Mules & Men, the Taphouse, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, 4.00-6.00 p.m. (part of Ranelagh Arts Festival)


OCTOBER 2018

Tues. 2nd: Belfast Bluegrass Session, upstairs at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 6th: Two Time Polka, upstairs in Oliver Plunkett Bar, Cork city, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4222779 (part of Cork Folk Festival)

Sun. 7th: Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 8.30 p.m.

Tues. 9th: Dublin Bluegrass Collective jam, Sin É, Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin: special guests Midnight Run (USA)

Fri. 12th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Sun. 14th: Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.

Tues. 16th: Dublin Bluegrass Collective jam, Sin É, Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin: special guest Randy Pasley (USA)

Thurs. 18th-Sat. 20th: Opening of new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in Owensboro, KY; schedule here

Sat. 20th: Pilgrim St, Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen, Co. Sligo
Two Time Polka, the Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209

Tues. 23rd: Maybelle Addington Carter died, 1978

Wed. 24th: Craig Judelman's Interstate Express (trio), Galway Folk Club, De Burgo's, St Augustine St., Galway city, 9.00 p.m., €5

Thurs. 25th: Craig Judelman's Interstate Express (USA), Athy Community Arts Centre, Woodstock St., Athy, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Joyce Murphy (contemporary), Tom Horan (country/folk), Lucas Hennessy (Americana), 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 26th: Two Time Polka, Hamlets Bar, the Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 6.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209 (part of Cork Jazz Festival)

Fri. 26th-Mon. 29th: 10th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Balla, Co. Mayo: Craig Judelman's Interstate Express (trio) (Fri.-Sat.); the Often Herd (UK); Roger Green (USA) with Bill Forster, Juliana Erkkonen, & Fergus Packman; Woodbine; Colonel Bullshot Rides Again

Sat. 27th: Alison Krauss (USA) at 3Arena, Dublin, with Counting Crows; doors 5.30 p.m.
Pilgrim St, Pilgrim St, Balor Arts Theatre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Two Time Polka, the Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.00 p.m., adm. free, 021 4772209; South County Bar, West Village, Douglas, Cork, 10.30 p.m., adm. free; 021 4891574 (both gigs part of Cork Jazz Festival)

Sun. 28th: Rhiannon Giddens (USA), Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo; €28; doors open 7.00 p.m., show starts 8.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, the Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 4.30 p.m., adm. free, 021 4772209; Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd., Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4291686 (both gigs part of Cork Jazz Festival)

Mon. 29th: Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd., Cork, 6.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4291686 (part of Cork Jazz Festival)
Craig Judelman's Interstate Express (trio), The Sky & the Ground, 112 S. Main St., Whitewell, Wexford town


NOVEMBER 2018

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 4th: 20th Anniversary Banjo Gathering, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, TN/VA

Tues. 6th: Belfast Bluegrass Session, upstairs at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 9th: Sixth birthday of the Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 15th: This Is How We Fly (IRL/USA/SE), Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Stompin' Dave Allen (GB), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Fri. 16th: Stompin' Dave Allen (GB), the Market House (Tom Malone’s), Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Mules & Men launch debut album Thinking sideways, J.K. Stoutman's, 131 James's St., Dublin 8, 8.00 p.m., with Hank Wedel

Sat. 17th: Stompin' Dave Allen (GB), the Record Break, Ennis, Co. Clare, 3.00 p.m.; Sexton's, Kinvara, Co. Galway (evening)

Sun. 18th: Stompin' Dave Allen (GB), the Greyhound, O'Curry St., Kilkee, Co. Clare

Mon. 19th: Punch Brothers (USA), National Concert Hall, Dublin; 8.00 p.m., €30, €27.50, €25

Tues. 20th: Mules & Men, Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city (midnight show)

Thurs. 22nd-Sun. 15th Dec.: Bluegrass Jamboree on tour in Germany and Austria: Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA), Bill & the Belles (USA), The Brother Brothers

Fri. 23rd: Pilgrim St, Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Two Time Polka, Nenagh Arts Centre, Banba Square, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, doors 8.00 p.m.; €15 / €12.50; 06734400

Sat. 24th: Sacred Harp Dublin celebrate Isaac Watts Day; singing 14.00-17.30, Robert Emmet Community Development Centre, Usher St., Dublin 8; all welcome, no experience necessary, loaner books available
Pilgrim St, Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Mules & Men, the Horseman Inn, Main St., Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan

Wed. 28th: Shane Hennessy (fingerstyle guitar), Whelan's, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2, doors 8.00 p.m.; €16.50

Thurs. 29th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Terrie Gray (singer/ songwriter), Phelim Drew, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Fri. 30th: Woodbine, in Horans, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, 9.30 p.m., €5 (fund-raiser in aid of Wicklow Hospice)


DECEMBER 2018

Sat. 1st: Service to celebrate the life of Sandy Harsch, Colliers Funeral Home, Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 11.00 a.m.

Mon. 3rd: Niall Toner Band, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare; doors 8.30 p.m., showtime 9.00, €15 (Ballymore Acoustic Gigs)

Tues. 4th: Belfast Bluegrass Session, upstairs at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 9th: Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, An Bhun Abhainn, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, 6.00-8.00 p.m.

Fri. 14th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, from 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 15th: Pilgrim St, Tara Na Ri, Navan, Co. Meath

Wed. 26th: Travis Lewis (Lewis Family) born, 1958

Thurs. 27th: The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14: the Cabin Crew with special guests Emma Butler, Pat Killalea & the Shadow, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sat. 29th: Two Time Polka, The Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork, 10.00 p.m., adm. free; 021 4772209

Sun. 30th: Michael Dennis 'Mike' Auldridge born, 1938