Calendar archive 2005-9

For anyone with an interest in what's been happening: calendar items are moved here after the event is over. The calendar archive for 2010-14 is here, the archive for 2015-18 is here, and the archive for 2019-23 is here.

DECEMBER 2005

Sat. 10th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, 'Winged Winter Tour' launch, 10.00 a.m. on Shannonside/Northern Sound 104FM: live radio performance and interview on the Charlie McGettigan Show
Rough Deal String Band, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 4.30-7.00 p.m.
Lena Ullman, Frank Hall, and Johnny Moynihan: old-timey session for Sixmilebridge Folk Club, Gallagher's Bar, Kilkishen, Co. Clare, 10 p.m.

Sun. 11th: Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band, Spailpin Fanach, Cork city
Dark Road, Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city

Mon. 12th: Lee Valley String Band, Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city
Ray Barron & Hank Wedel, roots music session, Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, Cork

Wed. 14th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, 'Winged Winter Tour', the Palace Loft, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, sponsored by the Athlone Folk Club. 9.30 p.m. E10 cover.

Thurs. 15th: Prison Love Christmas Breakout, Soul 28 bar (beside SIPTU/Liberty Hall), Eden Quay, Dublin; support by Choral Sex; doors 9 p.m., E10 cover.
Niall Toner Band, Finegan’s Café Bar, Wexford town, 9.30 p.m.
Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band, Gables Bar, Cork city
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 9.30 p.m. Greg Cotter, Mary Flanagan (country/folk)

Fri. 16th: Bluegrass jam session, Rosie O'Grady's Pub, Harold's Cross, Dublin, 9. 30 p.m.
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 7 p.m. Jimmy Fitzgerald, John Martin and Paul Gunning (Maimim/Cajun); 9.30 p.m. The Badbelly Project: Tom Hanway (NY/USA) and Michael O’Connor (traditional blues/gospel/bluegrass)

Sat. 17th: Rough Deal String Band, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 4.30-7.00 p.m.
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 7 p.m. Chad Dughi and Friends (Hawaii/USA/folk); 9.30 p.m. (d/s) Ruth Dillon and Bernie O’Mahoney (country/folk); 9.30 p.m. (u/s) Big Danny Gallagher (NJ/USA/blues)

Sun. 18th: Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band, Spailpin Fanach, Cork city
Dark Road, Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 7 p.m. Lena Ullman, Johnny Moynihan, and Frank Hall (N. Mexico USA/old-time); 9.30 p.m. (d/s) Greg Cotter and Mary Flanagan (country/folk); 9.30 p.m. (u/s) Pete Lamb (UK) and Rob Stein (USA) (Honky-tonk/country)

Mon. 19th: Lee Valley String Band, Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city
Ray Barron & Hank Wedel, roots music session, Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, Cork
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 9.30 p.m. (u/s c/c €12.50) Mick Hanly (country/folk)

Tues. 20th: 'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 9.30 p.m. Ruth Dillon, Pete Lamb, Ivor Ottley, Tom Portman (UK) (contemporary bluegrass)

Wed. 21st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
'Come West Along the Road' American Folk Music Festival, the Crane Bar, Galway city: 9.30 p.m. Jim Rooney (USA), Mick Daly, and Arty McGlynn (country/old-time)

Thurs. 22nd: Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band, Gables Bar, Cork city

Fri. 23rd: Bluegrass jam session, Rosie O'Grady's Pub, Harold's Cross, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 24th: TBC Rough Deal String Band, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 4.30-7.00 p.m.

Mon. 26th: Two Time Polka, Langton's Hotel, Kilkenny city. Kick off 10 p.m.; adm. E15; tel. 056 7765133
Hank Wedel, roots music session, Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, Cork
Lee Valley String Band, Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork: start about 5 p.m.

Tues. 27th: Two Time Polka, Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon, Co. Cork. Kick off 10 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 023 41562

Wed. 28th: Two Time Polka, The Grand Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Kick off 11.30 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 064 35295

Fri. 30th: Two Time Polka, An Cruiscin Lan, Douglas St., Cork. Doors 9.00 p.m.; kick off 9.30; adm. E7; tel. 021 4316428. Special guest support by The Armadillos (swing, country, blues) inc. Eileen Healy (fiddle)

JANUARY 2006

Sun. 1st: Two Time Polka, Pulse Nightclub, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. Kick off 12 midnight; adm. E7; tel. 066 9472217; special guest support by Paul Solecki

Mon. 2nd: Two Time Polka, O’Flahertys Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. 4-6 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 066 9151983; special guest support by Paul Solecki

Wed. 4th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 11th: Crooked Still (USA), Whelan's, Dublin

Thurs. 12th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Errigle Inn, Belfast

Fri. 13th: Sixmilebridge Folk Club Winter Weekend, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare: Mill Bar, 8.30 p.m. Gerry O’Connor, €15; 10.30 p.m. Cracked Bucket Band; 11.00 p.m. Blues & Bluegrass Concert - Clive Barnes, Mick Cummins Band, Crooked Still (USA), €10; Casey’s Bar, 10.00 p.m. John Nyhan & friends (trad. folk); (full weekend programme at the Club's website).

Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), McGrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal

Sat. 14th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Barry's Pub, Grange

Sixmilebridge Folk Club Winter Weekend: Mill Bar, 3.30 p.m. Hillrockers (old-timey); 8.30 p.m. Clive Barnes (blues); 10.30 p.m. Crooked Still (USA) (bluegrass); 11.00 p.m. Pickers session €8; special guest Clive Barnes ; Casey’s Bar, 5.00 p.m. Crooked Still; 7.30 p.m. Mick Cummins Band (jazz/blues); 10.00 p.m. Dave Saunders & friends; McGregor’s, 10.00 p.m. Cracked Bucket Band; Old House, 10.00 p.m. Hillrockers; Courthouse, 11.30 a.m. Pickers session, special guest TBA, €8 inc. refreshments; 8.00 p.m. Concert: Roesy, €15.

Sun. 15th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Healy’s Hall, Glenamoy, near Rossport, Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Alison Brown Quartet, Whelan's, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sixmilebridge Folk Club Winter Weekend: Mill Bar, 6.30 p.m. Grande Finale Concert: 3 hours of free live music; Mick Cummins Band, Clive Barnes, Turloughmore Ceilí Band, Crooked Still (USA) (acts listed in order of appearance); Casey’s Bar, 2.30 p.m. Hillrockers; 4.30 p.m. Cracked Bucket Band; McGregor’s, 2.00 p.m. Mick Cummins Band, 4.00 p.m. Crooked Still; GAA Hall, 3.00 p.m. set dancing with the Glenside Ceili Band €8; Jamaica Inn, 12.00 a.m. Improvers' trad session; Catholic Church, 11.00 a.m. Mass: Guest Choir; 1.00 p.m. Classical recital

Wed. 18th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Railway Bar, Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 20th: The Low Country Boys, Cloghwater presbyterian church, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 24th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), the Cobblestone, Dublin

Thurs. 26th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Fri. 27th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Riverside Arts Centre, Kildare

Fri. 27th: 2nd Annual Americana, Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford: Niall Toner Band with special guest Al O'Donnell

Sat. 28th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Castle Inn Back Room Venue, Athy, Co. Kildare
2nd Annual Americana, Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens

Sun. 29th: 2nd Annual Americana, Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on Bannow, Co. Wexford: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA); Tennessee Hob (Tom Hanway & Karl Deeter); Woodbine. Show begins at 6.00 p.m.

Low Country Boys, Antrim Elim church, Antrim town, 6.30 p.m.

Mon. 30th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 31st: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick city

FEBRUARY 2006

Wed. 1st: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), the Crane Bar, Galway
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 2nd-Sun. 5th: SPBGMA 23rd Annual Convention and Bluegrass Music Awards, Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

Thurs. 2nd: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Fri. 3rd: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Marketplace Arts Centre, Armagh
Low Country Boys, St Saviour's COI Church, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 4th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), Maggie Jo's, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan
Niall Toner Band, Poulaphouca House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow (private)

Sun. 5th: Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA), the John Hewitt, Belfast, 3.00 p.m. (not Naul, Co. Dublin)
Low Country Boys, Comber baptist church, Comber, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Prison Love, 5.00-7.00 p.m., The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; admission €10

Thurs. 9th: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 8.00 p.m., The Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Sat. 11th: Low Country Boys, Loughry College, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.
Prison Love, Whelan's, Wexford Street, Dublin; with Choral Sex & the Rough Deal String Band; 8.00 p.m. sharp, €10 cover

Sun. 12th: Nickel Creek, the Roisin Dubh, Galway
Prison Love, 5.00-7.00 p.m., The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; admission €10

Mon. 13th: Nickel Creek, Crawdaddy (The POD), Dublin

Tues. 14th: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 1.00 p.m., Banbridge College of Technology, Banbridge, Co. Down; 8:00 p.m., Still Waters Coffee House, Belfast

Wed. 15th: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 8.30 p.m., Railway Bar, Lurgan, Co. Armagh

Wed. 15th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 15th-Sun. 19th: Martin Taylor, acoustic jazz guitar (tour details here).

Fri. 17th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Tour Ard Theatre, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Goldmine Pickers (USA), 9.30 p.m., Ceili House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh

Fri. 17th-Sun. 19th: FOAOTMAD old-time music festival, Castle Hill School, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England: The Rockinghams (Rafe Stefanini, Beverly Smith, Meredith McIntosh, John Herrmann), Carl Jones; the Rough Deal String Band; UK bands The Slowdown Boys, Buffalo Gals, Highly Strung; clogging/flatfoot instruction; square and contra dance

Sat. 18th: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 9.00 p.m., The Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Sun. 19th: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 9.00 p.m., The Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Sun. 19th: Low Country Boys, Monkstown baptist church, Newtownabbey, 6.30 p.m.

Tues. 21st: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 8.00 p.m., Portadown Folk Song Club, Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown, Co. Armagh

Wed. 22nd-Sun. 26th: Belfast-Nashville Songwriters' Festival, Hilton Hotel, Belfast

Thurs. 23rd: Goldmine Pickers (USA), 8.30 p.m., Groucho's Music Lounge, Rich Hill, Co. Armagh

Thurs. 23rd: Film showing - Homemade hillbilly jam (director Rick Minnich); Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast (box office: 028 9097 1097)

Fri. 24th: Low Country Boys, Garryduff presbyterian church, Garryduff, 8.00 p.m.
Bluegrass jam session, Rosie O'Grady's Pub, Harold's Cross, Dublin; first anniversary night CANCELLED

Sat. 25th: Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band, Bulman Bar, Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Sun. 26th: Low Country Boys, Hilton Hotel, Belfast, 3.00 p.m. (part of Belfast-Nashville Songwriters' Festival)

MARCH 2006

Wed. 1st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross
House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 4th: Low Country Boys,
Maranatha Hall, Carrowdore, 7.00 p.m.
UK Autoharp Workshop Day,
Brackensdale School, Walthamstow Drive, Mackworth, Derby

Wed. 8th: Clive Barnes, the Crane Bar, Galway; solo support spot by Pete Lamb. Doors 9 p.m. €10.00

Thurs. 9th: Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare
Niall Toner Band, Ulm, Germany

Fri. 10th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens on RTE's 'Nationwide', 7.00 p.m.
Niall Toner Band, Herbert Schildhammer's Club, Voehringen/Iller, Sandberweg 17, Germany (evening performance)

Sat. 11th: The Wild Duck Flies Again! Session to reestablish bluegrass at the Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Co. Antrim, 5.00 p.m.
Prison Love, with Choral Sex, Sugar Club, Leeson St., Dublin 2. Doors 8 p.m., €10, show starts 8.30.
Niall Toner Band, Lindenhalle, Ehingen/Donau, Germany (evening performance)

Low Country Boys, Grange presbyterian church, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 14th: Niall Toner Band, McDaid's, Midleton, Co. Cork

Wed. 15th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 16th-Sun. 19th: Cork St Patrick's Festival [one bluegrass band from Northern Ireland is reported to be taking part, with a minister from Scotland playing banjo]

Thurs. 16th: Low Country Boys, Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 17th: No session tonight at Rosie O'Grady's Pub, Harold's Cross Road, Dublin
Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte Street, Wexford town; kickoff 12.30 p.m.; adm. free; tel. 053 24424; also at the Marina Bar, Victoria Road, Cork city; kickoff 10 p.m.; adm. free

Sat. 18th: Low Country Boys, Ballymena IEB, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 23rd: Dirk Powell (banjo), Jock Tyledsley (fiddle), Vera Van Heeringen (guitar), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Fri. 24th: Dirk Powell (banjo), Jock Tyledsley (fiddle), Vera Van Heeringen (guitar), The Glebe Gallery, Baltimore, Co. Cork

Sat. 25th: Dirk Powell (banjo), Jock Tyledsley (fiddle), Vera Van Heeringen (guitar), The Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city (6.00 p.m.)

Sun. 26th: Low Country Boys, Brooklands Gospel Centre, Dundonald, 8.00 p.m.

Mon. 27th: Dirk Powell (banjo), Jock Tyledsley (fiddle), Vera Van Heeringen (guitar), The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 28th: Dirk Powell (banjo), Jock Tyledsley (fiddle), Vera Van Heeringen (guitar), Dolan's, Limerick city

Wed. 29th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 30th: Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare

APRIL 2006

Sun. 2nd Low Country Boys, Tamar Street baptist church, Belfast (off Dee Street) 7.00 p.m.

Wed. 12th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 15th: Niall Toner Band, Rose’s West End Bar, Lismore, Co. Waterford, 9.30 p.m.

Sun. 16th: Ray Barron and Hank Wedel, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork (Ceol on the Coast festival)

Mon. 17th: Two Time Polka, Bayview Bar, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork (Ceol on the Coast festival). Adm. free. 5.00-7.00 p.m. Tel. 027 67981.

Wed. 19th: Ruth Dillon, Pete Lamb, Ivor Ottley, Tom Portman; the Crane Bar, Galway

Wed. 26th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 26th-May 2nd: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Shetland Folk Festival, Shetland Islands

Thurs. 27th: Athy Bluegrass Music Association's launch party for 16th Athy Bluegrass Festival; Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare. Refreshments provided; music by Woodbine and guests.

Fri. 28th-Sun. 30th: Gospel music convention at Fraserborough, Scotland; Low Country Boys

Fri. 28th-[Mon. 1 May]: Carlsberg Rhythm 'n' Roots Festival, contact this link for bands wanting to take part; 29 Parliament Street, Kilkenny; phone +353 (0)56 779 0057; fax +353 (0)56 779 0069

Fri. 28th: Two Time Polka, Rafter Dempseys, Kilkenny. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel. 056 7722970.

Saturday 29th: Two Time Polka, Langtons Hotel, Kilkenny. Adm. free. Kickoff 3.30pm. Tel. 056 7765133.
Two Time Polka, Dempseys, Kilkenny: Adm. free. Kickoff 10.30 p.m. Tel. 056 7721513

Sun. 30th: Niall Toner Band, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, 4.00 p.m.; Springhill Hotel, Kilkenny, 9.30 p.m. (as part of the Festival)

MAY 2006

Fri. 5th: Lee Valley String Band, the Long Point, Lower Aghada, Co. Cork

Sat. 6th: Foghorn Stringband, Cobblestone, North King St., Smithfield, Dublin 7; 01 872 1799; e-mail

Sun. 7th: Foghorn Stringband, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; 01 802 0898; e-mail

Mon. 8th: Foghorn Stringband, Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, 045-864017

Tues. 9th: Foghorn Stringband, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 087 792 1771

Wed. 10th: Foghorn Stringband, Kane's Bar, Siar o Thuaidh, Ballyferriter, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry; 086-3269942
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: Foghorn Stringband, Cork Opera House, Half Moon Theater, Emmett Place, Cork; 021 427 0022; e-mail
Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare

Fri. 12th: Foghorn Stringband, Rose’s West End Bar, West St., Lismore, Co. Waterford; 058 53970
Low Country Boys, Glendermott presbyterian church, Londonderry, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 13th-Sun. 14th: Foghorn Stringband, the Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork; 086-3753380; e-mail

Sat. 13th: Two Time Polka, Rice Guesthouse, Barrack St., Waterford. Adm E3. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel. 051 371606.


Fri. 19th: Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Smith (guitars), Dublin (details TBC)

Fri. 19th-Sun. 21st: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Willisau Bluegrass Festival, Switzerland

Sat. 20th: Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Tues. 23rd: Prison Love pre-EWOB gig, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; 8 p.m. door, €5 cover

Wed. 24th: Fair City Grass, 6th Annual Anniversary Gig, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 25th: Jack Lawrence, Colfer's Pub, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford
Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Whelan's, Dublin

Thurs. 25th-Sat. 27th: The EBMA's European World of Bluegrass Festival, 't Trefpunt, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands; see this link for details; Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens (#1 European Bluegrass Band 2005), Prison Love, and many others

Fri. 26th: Jack Lawrence, House concert, Donaghadee, Co. Down (e-mail oldflattop@ntlworld.com if interested in attending)
Niall Toner Band, Doonbeg Golf Club (private corporate event)

Sat. 27th: Jack Lawrence, The Grandstand, Athy, Co. Kildare

Sun. 28th: Jack Lawrence, Palace Loft, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Low Country Boys, Ballymena congregational church, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, 5.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, The Baltimore Seafood Festival, Co. Cork. Open air in the square. Kick off 2.30 p.m.

Mon. 29th: Jack Lawrence, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Mon. 29th-Sun. 4th June: 2nd Causeway Dulcimer Festival, Bushmills, Co. Antrim


JUNE 2006

Thurs. 1st: Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare

Fri. 2nd: Two Time Polka, De Barra's Bar, Bandon, Co. Cork (Bandon Music Festival). Adm. free. Kick off 10 p.m. Tel: 023 43302

Sat. 3rd: Two Time Polka, open air in Oliver Plunket St., Bandon, adm. free, kick off 5 p.m; and the Plunkett Inn, adm. free, kick off 10 p.m.
Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sun. 4th: Two Time Polka, the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon. Adm. free. Kick off 10 p.m. Tel: 023 41562.


Sun. 4th-Mon. 5th: 'Old, new, borrowed, blue'; marriage customs + old-time music at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Mon. 5th: Two Time Polka, at Dublin Docklands Maritime Festival, open air. Main stage. Kick off 4.15 p.m.

Wed. 7th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 8th: Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 9th-Sun. 11th: Coastline Bluegrass Music Event, Llandudno, north Wales; Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band; others TBC

Sat. 10th: Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 16th: Niall Toner Band, Carlow church

Sat. 17th: Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sun. 18th: Niall Toner Band, the Hollow, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Wed. 21st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd: Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare

Fri. 23rd-Sun. 25th: 'Urban roots: Hoe Down on the Ranch', Airfield, Dundrum, Dublin: Rough Deal String Band, Clem O'Brien Band, D.J. Markey V., Prison Love, the Tennessee Hob Two-Step

Sat. 24th: Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Tues. 27th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Gallagher's Bar, Kilkishen, Co. Mayo; contact Brendan Walsh, 08684509

Wed. 28th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo; contact Chris Mannion, +353-949365093

Thurs. 29th: Niall Toner Band, Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Gary Ferguson & David Miner, The Broken Jug, Ballina, Co. Mayo, +353-9672379
Woodbine, Smuggler's Inn, Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.30 p.m.

JULY 2006

Sat. 1st: Gary Ferguson & David Miner with Frankie Lane, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; contact Paul Lee, +353-1-872179

Sun. 2nd-Tues. 4th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Mon. 3rd: Niall Toner Band, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin, at lunchtime (part of the Walton's Guitar Festival of Ireland)

Wed. 5th-Sun. 9th: Hooves & Grooves Festival, Wexford; Two Time Polka, Roots & Galoots, Buffalo Gals (USA/UK), Gary Ferguson & David Miner, many other acts (see BIB post of 29 June); contact Senan O'Reilly, Ardara Annexe, Spawell Road, Wexford town; phone +353 (0)53 44634; fax +353 (0)53 44498

Wed. 5th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, the Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway city; contact Pete Lamb, 085-1033709
Low Country Boys, Culcavy, Hillsborough, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 6th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; contact Sean Mac Philibin, 01-8020898

Fri. 7th-Sun. 9th: North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Conwy, north Wales; Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, the New Section (CZ), Tennessee Hob (Tom Hanway & Karl Deeter), many others; see post of 2 July

Fri. 7th-Sun. 9th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Wexford town (as part of Hooves & Grooves Festival)

Sat. 8th: Steve Kaufman guitar workshop, Walton's, South Great George's Street, Dublin, 10.00 a.m.
Fair City Grass, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m. (in place of Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band)

Sun. 9th: Steve Kaufman in concert, Green Room, Holiday Inn Dublin Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band: informal no-PA gig, the Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Mon. 10th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford; contact John Murphy, +353-(0)51-561159

Tues. 11th: the Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Wed. 12th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), plus Gary Ferguson & David Miner, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Thurs. 13th-Sun. 16th: 16th Athy Bluegrass Festival, Rugby Club, Athy, Co. Kildare; contact Tony O'Brien, 21 Kilkenny Road, Ballylinan, Athy; phone +353 (0)507 25266; Bluegrass Patriots (USA), 4 Wheel Drive (NL), Woodbine, others TBC
Thurs. 13th: Athy opening night at the Clanard Arms Hotel, Dublin Road, Athy

Fri. 14th: Niall Toner Band, Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Sat. 15th: Afternoon gig trail, Athy (new feature)
Niall Toner Band, Athy Bluegrass Festival

Sat. 15th-Sun. 16th: Low Country Boys, Moniaive and Glencairn parish church, Scotland

Mon. 17th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Mount Zion House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh
4 Wheel Drive (NL), Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Tues. 18th: 4 Wheel Drive (NL), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Wed. 19th: 4 Wheel Drive (NL), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin

Sun. 23rd: Niall Toner Band, the Hollow, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Rough Deal String Band, the Crane Bar, Galway city, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 26th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 28th-Sat. 29th: Midlands Music Festival, Ballinlough Castle, Athboy, Co. Meath, including the Del McCoury Band, Hayseed Dixie, and major contemporary country acts

Sun. 30th: Tennessee Hob, Colfer's Bar, Phil Murphy Weekend, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford. 3.30 p.m.

AUGUST 2006

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: European World Of Bluegrass Association's European World of Bluegrass Festival & Tradeshow, organised by the France Bluegrass Musique Association, at La Roche, France (near Chamonix and Geneva). NB: not to be confused with the EBMA's EWOB Festival on 25-7 May (see above)

Sat. 5th: 6th Annual 'Bluegrass on the Walls', Derry city; CANCELLED; contact Frank Galligan, 32 Cooleen Park, Culmore, Co. Londonderry BT48 8AQ
Prison Love at Castlepalooza, Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Co. Offaly; see post of 27 July

Mon. 7th: Niall Toner Band, the Hollow, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Wed. 9th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 11th: Niall Toner Band, the Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Sun. 13th: Woodbine, Curragh Races, Co. Kildare (special race meeting between the Curragh and Kentucky); performances at noon and in between races

Sat. 19th: Rough Deal String Band, Markree Castle, Sligo (private wedding)

Sun. 20th: Niall Toner Band, St Enda's, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Mon. 21st: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, the Park House, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford

Wed. 23rd: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival Official Launch, Longford

Thurs. 24th: Niall Toner Band, the Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Wildwood (Ruth Dillon, Pete Lamb, Ivor Ottley), J.J. Harlow's, Roscommon; 9.00 p.m.; adm. free

Thurs. 24th-Sun. 27th: 12th Annual Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL), Boxcar Preachers (USA), King Brothers (USA), Blue Railroad Train (F), Jack Danielle's (F), Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band (IRL), Tennessee Hob (IRL), Hog Rose (IRL); contact Mick Daly, Ballymabin, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; mobile +353 (0)87 256 2899
Thurs. 24th: Haven Hotel; Tom Hanway leads kick-off jam for the 12th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, 7:30 p.m.

Fri. 25th: Niall Toner Band, Belfast; TBC

Sat. 26th: Niall Toner Band, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
The Snakes, monthly residency at the Crane, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Mon. 28th: Blue Railroad Train (F), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 29th: Blue Railroad Train (F), St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 30th: Blue Railroad Train (F), Maggie Joe's, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan

SEPTEMBER 2006

Fri. 1st-Sun. 3rd: 15th Annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Mellon Road, Castletown, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT78 5QY; contact Richard Hurst, 'phone +44 (0)28 82 243 292; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; the Wilders (USA), Kate Lissauer & the Buffalo Gals (USA/UK), Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Roll's Boys (CZ), Blue Railroad Train (F), Niall Toner Band, Rough Deal String Band, many others

Fri. 1st: Niall Toner Band, the Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin; FREE
The Snakes, Mullarkey's Bar, Foyles Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway; FREE

Sat. 2nd: Niall Toner Band (private event, Kilkenny)

Mon. 4th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Going Away Party! Auld Shebeen, Moate, Co. Westmeath

Tues. 5th: 'Roots Freeway', RTE Radio 1, 9.00 p.m.; first of a new music series hosted by Niall Toner

Wed. 6th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Old-time/bluegrass/folk session: Noreen, Brian, & Jenny McGrane, Gerry Fitzpatrick, & Con Butler, the Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, 9.45 p.m.
Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Skelly's Bar, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 7.00-9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 7th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Maggie Joe's Bar, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan

Fri. 8th: Bill Monroe tribute concert, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare; 10 euros [NB: change of date from original 9 Sept.]
Rough Deal String Band featuring Rayna Gellert, The Corner House, Coburg St., Cork 8.30 p.m. (part of Cork Folk Festival)

Sat. 9th: Niall Toner Band, Island Music Club, Tulla, Co. Clare

Sun. 10th: Prison Love, Cobblestone back room, 5.00 p.m. €10, top of Smithfield Square, 77 King St., Dublin 7

Wednesday 13th: Prison Love, 10.00 p.m. Spiegeltent, €15; supporting Wraygunn (Portuguese gospel rock), with One Day International (Aussie ambience), George's Dock, Dublin, 1

Thurs. 14th-Sun. 17th: 5th Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford town; contact Chris Keenan or Kathy Casey, Clonturk, Longford; phone 087-281-7825 (international +353-87-281-7825)
Thurs. 14th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, main stage, Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

Fri. 15th-Sat. 16th: Niall Toner Band, Rough Deal String Band, Jeff & Vida Band, etc., as part of Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

Sunday 17th: Prison Love, Cobblestone back room, 5.00 p.m. €10, top of Smithfield Square, 77 King St., Dublin 7

Tues. 19th: Jeff & Vida Band, McDaid's, Midleton, Co. Cork

Wed. 20th: Jeff & Vida Band, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 21st: Jeff & Vida Band, the Crane Bar, Galway city

Fri. 22nd: Jeff & Vida Band, Barry's Pub, Grange
Crooked Still, 9.00 p.m. Dolans, Limerick. Tel: 061-314-483

Sat. 23rd: Rough Deal String Band, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry (private wedding)
Jeff & Vida Band, the Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m. Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065 684 3103

Sun. 24th: Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., the Crane Bar, Galway. Tel: 091 587419

Mon. 25th-Sun. 1st Oct.: International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass (Business Conference, Awards Show, and Fan Fest), Nashville, TN; Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, representing Europe; Niall Toner Band (30 Sept., 1 Oct.)

Mon. 25th: Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Tel: 023 33381

Tues. 26th: Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork. Tel: 025-24858

Wed. 27th-Sun. 1st Oct.: 8th Open House Festival, Belfast; Dirk Powell, Hayseed Dixie, Hillstomp, Sick & Indigent Song Club, Prison Love (w/Choral Sex), Jawbone, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, Foghorn String Band, Jeff & Vida Band, many others; master classes, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, and Old Time Country Jam, Low Down Hoedown, Smokey Mountain Music Session; contact Alison Gordon, PO Box 272, Bangor BT20 5WX; phone +44 (0)28 91 454 754

Wed. 27th: Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., Whelan's, Dublin. Tel: 01 478 0766
Hayseed Dixie, €17.50; supported by Prison Love, with Bray Vista. Tripod, Old Harcourt St. Train Station, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 28th: Jeff & Vida Band, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry; 'phone +44 (0)28 70 323232
Niall Toner Band, Coleraine, venue TBC
Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., the Glen Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. Tel: 071 98 55833

Fri. 29th: Rough Deal String Band, Harvest Moon Festival, the Burnavon, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Jeff & Vida Band, Marketplace Arts Centre, Armagh city
Crooked Still, Doors at 8.00 p.m., the Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044 9340251
8th Belfast Open House Festival, £6. Prison Love. Special guests Choral Sex. The Black Box, 18 22 Hill St., Cathedral quarter, Belfast

Sat. 30th: Crooked Still, with Beoga, 2.00 p.m., the Black Box (part of Open House Festival, Belfast)


OCTOBER 2006

Sun. Oct. 1st: Crooked Still, with Flook, 8.00 p.m., the Black Box (Grand Finale of Open House Festival, Belfast)

Monday 2nd: 8.00 p.m., Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin 2 €15.00. Appalachian fiddle and banjo legend Dirk Powell, Foghorn String Band (US) and Prison Love.

Wed. 4th: Jeff & Vida Band, St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Old-time/bluegrass/folk session: Noreen, Brian, & Jenny McGrane, Gerry Fitzpatrick, & Con Butler, the Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, 9.45 p.m.

Fri. 6th-Sat. 7th: Niall Toner Band, Jerusalem Ridge, Rosine, Kentucky, USA

Sat. 7th: Jeff & Vida Band, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin [for venue see post of 6 Oct.]

Sat. 14th: Low Country Boys, Gransha presbyterian church, Comber, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 14th-Sun. 15th: Ards Guitar Festival, Newtownards, Co. Down;

Wed. 18th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 21st: Barry & Holly Tashian, Burncourt Community Centre, Burncourt, Co. Tipperary (087-9701653)

Sun. 22nd: Barry & Holly Tashian, Colfer's, Carrick-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford (087-8200986)

Mon. 23rd: Barry & Holly Tashian, Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (087-7921771)

Tues. 24th: Tim O'Brien & Artie McGlynn, Temple Bar Music Centre, Curved Street, Dublin 2.
Two Time Polka, Cypress Avenue, Caroline St., Cork

Wed. 25th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; +353 (0)68-22566

Thurs. 26th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Lunchtime concert, National University of Ireland, Galway; +353 (0)91-512062
Jim Lauderdale, the Errigle Inn, Belfast

Fri. 27th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Sirius Art Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork; +353 (0)21-4813790. With the Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band
Prison Love, Bull & Castle Inn, Lord Edward St., top of Dame St., Christchurch, Dublin 8; doors 8.00 p.m., cover €10
Jim Lauderdale, The Town & Country Inn, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry

Sat. 28th: Low Country Boys, Cottage meeting, Drumhirk, Newtownards, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.
Jim Lauderdale, The Bronte Centre, near Rathfriland, Co. Down

Sun. 29th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Airfield, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14; +353-(0)1 2984301
Jim Lauderdale, The Patron, Downpatrick, Co. Down
Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Kick-off 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686.

Mon. 30th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin +353 01 8020898
Two Time Polka, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Teatime gig, 6.00 - 8.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686.
Jim Lauderdale, The Village, Dublin 2

NOVEMBER 2006

Wed. 1st: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal; +353-74-913-1840
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Old-time/bluegrass/folk session: Noreen, Brian, & Jenny McGrane, Gerry Fitzpatrick, & Con Butler, the Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, 9.45 p.m.

Sat. 4th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Sixmilebridge Folk Club, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare; venue TBC
Niall Toner Band, Guinness gig, Wexford (Opera Festival)

Tues. 7th: Carter Brothers, live on Niall Toner's show, RTE 1, 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 8th: Carter Brothers, Athlone Folk Club (Palace Loft)
Wed. Nov. 8th: The Old Yellers, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8:00 p.m.

Thurs. 9th: Chris Thile, Sugar Club, Dublin
The Old Yellers, Mourne Grange, Kilkeel, Co. Down, 7:00 p.m.

Fri. 10th: Carter Brothers, Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
The Old Yellers, Wicklow Arms, Delgany, Co. Wicklow, 8:00 p.m.

Sat. 11th: Carter Brothers, live on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio with Charlie McGettigan, 10.00 a.m.
Midlands Banjo Festival, 12 noon - 10.30 p.m., Bretby Conference Centre, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road (A511), Burton on Trent, Staffordshire DE15 0YZ, England.
The Old Yellers, Lynham's of Laragh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, 8:00 p.m.

Sun. 12th: Carter Brothers, Dolan's Warehouse (upstairs), Limerick city
The Old Yellers, The Bridge, Wicklow town, Co. Wicklow, 8:00 p.m.

Mon. 13th: Carter Brothers, Whelan's of Wexford St. (Whelan's Sitting Room), Dublin

Tues. 14th: Carter Brothers, Longford town
The Old Yellers, Wexford Song Club, Wexford town, 8:00 p.m.

Wed. 15th: Carter Brothers, the Crane Bar, Galway city
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 16th: The Old Yellers, Yukon Bar/The Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, 8:00 p.m.

Fri. 17th: The Old Yellers, The Crane Bar, Galway city, 8:00 p.m.

Sat. 18th: The Old Yellers, Debarras Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 8:00 p.m.

Sun. 19th: Carter Brothers, Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Thurs. 23rd: The Old Yellers, Lynham's of Laragh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, 8:00 p.m.

Fri. 24th - Sun. 26th: Kilkenny Bluegrass Festival, Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny city: Prison Love, Philip Donnelly & Foul Play, the Rye River Band, Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly, the Clem O'Brien Band, Northern Soul, Ray Baron & Hank Wedel with special guest Vince Milne (ex Bone Idol)

Fri. 24th: The Old Yellers, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8:00 p.m.

Sat. 25th: The Old Yellers, Butler's, Wexford town, 8:00 p.m.

Sun. 26th: The Old Yellers, The Bridge, Wicklow town, Co. Wicklow (TBC)

Wed. 29th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

DECEMBER 2006

Fri. 1st: Two Time Polka, Riverside Park Hotel, Macroom, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 026 20090

Sun. 3rd: Prison Love, the Village, Wexford St., Dublin 2; doors 8.00 p.m., €10

Mon. 4th: The Old Yellers, The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8:00 p.m.

Wed. 6th: Old-time/bluegrass/folk session: Noreen, Brian, & Jenny McGrane, Gerry Fitzpatrick, & Con Butler, the Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, 9.45 p.m.

Thurs. 7th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Wed. 13th: Fair City Grass's Christmas Bash (with guests), Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 16th: Paul McEvoy and friends, The Glenside, Landscape Road, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
3 Wise Men (country rock), the Crane, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Sun. 17th: Pete Lamb, Ruth Dillon, Frank Hall, Tom Hanway: acoustic bluegrass session at the Pier Head, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 5.00 p.m.

Thurs. 21st: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Sat. 23rd: Paul McEvoy and friends, The Glenside, Landscape Road, Churchtown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Tues. 26th: Knotty Pine String Band, Dungiven GAA Club, Dungiven, Co. Londonderry
Two Time Polka, Swells Bar, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 7.30 p.m.; to 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4773537

Fri. 29th: Two Time Polka, Langtons Hotel, Kilkenny. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 056 7765133

Sun. 31st: New Year's Eve Barn Dance at Pepper's, Feakle, Co. Clare; caller Tim Rogers, music by Moonshine, tickets E12 in advance, E15 on the door (finger food included); 9.30 p.m.


JANUARY 2007

Mon. 1st: Two Time Polka, O'Flaherty's Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Kickoff 4.00 p.m.; to 6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 066 9151983

Wed. 3rd: Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 10th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: Special Consensus live on Frank Mitchell show, U105 FM, 11.00 a.m.
Special Consensus live on Alan Simpson show, 3.00 p.m., BBC Northern Ireland
Special Consensus, Black Box, Belfast (evening)

Fri. 12th-Sun. 14th: Sixmilebridge Folk Club Winter Music Weekend

Fri. 12th: Special Consensus, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Sat. 13th: Special Consensus, McGregor's, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare; Prison Love, many more (Sixmilebridge Folk Club Winter Music Weekend)

Sun. 14th: Special Consensus, Listowel, Co. Kerry; St John's Arts Centre

Mon. 15th: Special Consensus, Kilworth, Co. Cork; Village Arts Centre

Tues. 16th: Special Consensus, Kilworth, Co. Cork; Village Arts Centre

Wed. 17th: Special Consensus, Lurgan, Co. Armagh; Mount Zion House

[18-23 January - Special C. shows in Scotland and England]

Fri. 19th: Low Country Boys, Gospel Night, Presbyterian Church Hall, Kilrea, Co. Londonderry, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 24th: Special Consensus, Rathfriland, Co. Down; Bronte Centre
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 25th: Special Consensus, Grange, Co. Sligo; Barry's Public House

Fri. 26th: Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Vicar Street, Dublin
Special Consensus, Armagh; Marketplace Arts Centre

Sat. 27th: Special Consensus, Athy, Co. Kildare; Carlton Abbey Hotel (with Woodbine)
Low Country Boys, Praise Night, Clifton Park Ave. Baptist Church, Crumlin Road, Belfast, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 28th: Special Consensus, Niall Toner Band, Woodbine, and Fair City Grass, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford; Colfer's Pub (Colfer's Bluegrass Day)

FEBRUARY 2007

Thurs. 1st: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 4th: 33rd Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards & 24th National Convention & Band Championships, Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

Sat. 3rd: Tennessee Hob (Tom Hanway and Karl Deeter); first of a new roots music concert series at the United Arts Club, 3 Upper Fitzwilliam St., Dublin; 9.30 p.m. €5.00

Wed. 7th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Hanway’s Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 8th: Low Country Boys, Kilbride Presbyterian Church, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 10th: Woodbine, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare

Thurs. 15th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 16th-Sun. 18th: FOAOTMAD's Old Time Festival, Gainsborough, Lincs., UK; Orpheus Supertones, New Deal String Band, RDSB, many more

Fri. 16th: Low Country Boys, Magheragall Orange Hall, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 21st: Ila Auto from Norway, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

MARCH 2007

Thurs. 1st: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 2nd: Low Country Boys, charity fundraiser, Castlederg High School, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 7th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Hanway’s Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 9th: Low Country Boys, Ulster Scots/Gospel night, Ballynahinch Leisure Centre, 8.00 p.m.
Prison Love, The Cherry Tree, Walkinstown Roundabout, Dublin 12; 9.00 p.m. €13

Wed. 14th: Niall Toner Band, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 15th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Sat. 17th: Low Country Boys, Gospel Night, The Word, Ballygowan Road, Hillsborough, 7.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, The Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford. 1.00-3.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 053 24424
Two Time Polka, Holohan's Bar, The Quays, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. E10. Tel. 085 7871220.

Sun. 18th: Two Time Polka, John O'Sullivan's Bar, Douglas West, Cork. (Directions: No. 6 bus from South Mall: just past Tesco shopping centre on the South Douglas Rd.) Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4891416

Wed. 21st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 24th: Low Country Boys, Ulster Scots Night, Presbyterian Church Hall, The Grange, Co. Antrim, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 30th: Prison Love, Voodoo Lounge, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 31st: Niall Toner Band, Belfast, TBC

APRIL 2007

Sun. 1st: Niall Toner Band, Belfast, TBC
Sick and Indigent Song Club + North Strand Klezmer Band; Whelans, 25 Wexford St., 8.30 p.m.

Wed. 4th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Hanway’s Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 6th (Good Friday): NO session at Rosie O'Grady's, Harold's Cross, Dublin

Sat. 7th: Prison Love, Liquid Club, Katie Gallagher's (near Dart station), Bray, Co. Wicklow; €10 including late bar & dj; doors 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 8th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Naul, Co. Dublin. 7.00/8.00 p.m; 'phone the Seamus Ennis Centre, +353-(0)1-8020898, though the show is not in the Centre itself
Tin Box Co., K.C.R., Kimmage Road, Dublin, 9.00-midnight
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Mon. 9th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Colfer's, Carrick-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Two Time Polka, Ceol on the Coast, the Bayview Bar, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork. 5.00-7.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 027 67981.

Mon. 9th-Fri. 13th: Sore Fingers Week, premier bluegrass/old-time instructional workshop in Europe, Kingham Hill School, the Cotswolds, England

Tues. 10th: Foghorn String Band (USA), The Local, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Wed. 11th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Harbour Hotel, Baltimore, Co. Cork

Thurs. 12th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Roundy Bar, Castle St., Cork city
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Thurs. 12th-Sun. 15th: 6th Annual 'Bluegrass returns to its Roots' Festival, Executive Hotel, Rivermont, Owensboro, KY

Fri. 13th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens plus special guests The Rabbetts and Sarah McQuaid: fundraising gig for the Irish Haemophilia Society, Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon, Co. Longford; 8:30pm sharp; doors 8:15 p.m.; tickets €15
Foghorn String Band (USA), The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin

Sat. 14th: Foghorn String Band (USA), The Cherry Tree, Walkinstown, Dublin 12
Woodbine, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare

Sun. 15th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Tutty's Bar, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow

Mon. 16th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 17th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Kane's Bar, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry

Wed. 18th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Bric's Bar, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry

Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.; cancelled due to family bereavement

Thurs. 19th: Foghorn String Band (USA), World Music Club, Lismore, Co. Waterford

Fri. 20th: Foghorn String Band (USA), Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m. (as part of Rathmines Arts/Entertainment Festival)

Sat. 21st: Foghorn String Band (USA), Crane Bar, Galway city
I Draw Slow and the Sick & Indigent Song Club, the Cherrytree, Walkinstown, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sun. 22nd: Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Thurs. 26th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 27th: FINAL session at Rosie O'Grady's, Harold's Cross, Dublin
Lynda Lucas (guitar & vocals) and Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro), opening for Kevin Doherty (of Four Men and a Dog), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin

Sat. 28th: Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare

Sun. 29th: Two Time Polka; fundraiser at Páidi O’Sé's Bar, Ventry, Co. Kerry. 5.00–7.00 p.m., in aid of 'Help to Build a School' for the Hope Guatemala project; contact Eddy at 066 9159712.


MAY 2007

Wed. 2nd: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Hanway’s Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 3rd: Niall Toner interview with Bela Fleck, RTE Radio One, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 4th-Mon. 7th: Carlsberg Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival

Fri. 4th: Woodbine, Metropole Hotel, Kilkenny
Two Time Polka, Rafter Dympsey's Bar, Friary St., Kilkenny; kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 056 7722970

Sat. 5th: Two Time Polka, Biddy Early’s Bar, John St., Kilkenny; 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel: 056 7722689
Two Time Polka, Lawlors Bar, John St., Kilkenny; kick off 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 056 7761579

Sat. 5th: 5th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, Bühl (Baden), Germany: Clare Lynch Band (USA), the Wilders (USA), much more

Sun. 6th: Woodbine, Carrigan's, Kilkenny
Two Time Polka, John O’Sullivans Bar, Douglas West, Cork, kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4891416

Thurs. 10th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Thurs. 10th-Sun. 13th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork; includes Bruce Molsky, Crooked Still, much more

Fri. 11th: Athy Bluegrass Music Association: Festival 2007 launch party, Albert Dunne Suzuki showroom, Athy, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m.

Sun. 13th: Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Wed. 16th: Sometymes Why, Crane Bar, Galway
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 17th: Sometymes Why, the Cobblestone, Dublin

Thurs. 17th-Sat. 19th: The EBMA's European World of Bluegrass Festival, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands. This is the 10th EWOB and all the stops will be pulled out to celebrate...

Fri. 18th: Sometymes Why, the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Sat. 19th: Sometymes Why, Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare

Sun. 20th: Sometymes Why, Dolan's, Limerick city

Mon. 21st: Martin Cooney, Bending the strings CD launch, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare, 8.30 p.m.; Foster & Allen, Glenside Ceili Band, Michael English, Richie Kavanagh, Niall Toner Band

Tues. 22nd: Sometymes Why, Debarra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Wed. 23rd: Sometymes Why, McCarthy's, Dingle, Co. Kerry

Thurs. 24th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 25th: Prison Love, Cherrytree bar, Walkinstown roundabout (50, 56A, 77, 77A); support from I Draw Slow; 9.00 p.m.; €15/13 concessions

Sat. 26th: Two Time Polka, The Pure Festival, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Open-air. 9.00-10.30 p.m.

Sun. 27th: Two Time Polka, The Baltimore Seafood Festival, the Square, Baltimore, Co. Cork. Open-air. Kickoff 2.30 p.m.
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Wed. 30th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

JUNE 2007

Wed. 6th: Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Hanway’s Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 7th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 8th-Sun. 10th: 2nd Coastline Bluegrass Music Event, Plas Uchaf Farm, near Llandudno, north Wales

Fri. 8th: Niall Toner Band, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Sat. 9th: Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare

Sun. 10th: Blue Mountain Boys, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Wed. 13th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 14th: Martin Cooney & Myra Fraser, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Sun. 17th: Niall Toner Band, St Enda's, Rathfarnham, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Thurs. 21st-Sun. 24th: Urban Roots II Hoe Down on the Ranch, Airfield Arts Centre, Dundrum, Dublin; Niall Toner Band, Woodbine, Fair City Grass, Two Time Polka, Broken Strings, Prison Love, Bray Vista, Horse Whispering (see post of 29 May); guitar workshop with Chris Newman

Thurs. 21st: Rough Deal String Band, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Thurs. 21st-Sat. 23rd: ROMP Festival, Owensboro, KY

Sat. 23rd: Chris Newman guitar workshop, 4.00-6.00 p.m., Airfield House, Dundrum (as part of the 'Hoe Down on the Ranch'); €30
Woodbine, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare

Sun. 24th: Chris Newman (guitar), Máire Ní Chathasaigh (harp); opening concert of An Chúirt Chruitireachta, An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth (see post of 1 Mar. 2007)
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Wed. 27th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 29th-Sun. 1 July: 1st Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo: the Lee Valley String Band, Tim Rogers, Lena Ulman, Mick Daly, the Colonel Bullshot Bluegrass Band, more; contact Uri Kohen, 087 7570958

Fri. 29th: Rocky Mountain Rebels, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Sat. 30th: Bluegrass/country session, Derryhirk Inn, Aghagallon, near Lurgan, Co. Armagh; Tennessee Hennessees, Anto Griffen, more; all welcome

JULY 2007

Wed. 4th: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 5th: Prison Love launch new CD, A night in the box, at Crawdaddy, Harcourt St. Station, Dublin 2, with I Draw Slow; doors 8.00 p.m.
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 6th-Sun. 8th: 19th International North Wales Bluegrass Music and Dance Festival, Conwy, north Wales

Fri. 6th: Woodbine, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Sat. 7th: UK Autoharps Day, Ashley Green, Bucks., England

Sun. 8th: Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Wed. 11th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 12th: Red Wine (I), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.
Eleanor Shanley, Frankie Lane, and Paul Kelly, Airfield, Dundrum, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.
Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA), ­O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 12th-Sun. 15th: Athy Bluegrass Festival; Patuxent Partners (USA), Red Wine (I), Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Niall Toner Band, Woodbine, Tennessee Hennessees, Sullivan Bros, Acoustic Grass; contact Tony O'Brien, 21 Kilkenny Road, Ballylinan, Athy; phone +353 (0)507 25266

Fri. 13th: Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, 8.30 p.m.

Sun. 15th: Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Mon. 16th: Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA) and Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 17th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Kane's Bar, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry
Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA), ­the Local Bar, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 9.30 p.m.
Tin Box Company, The Green Isle Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 18th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA), Sixmilebridge Folk Club, Gallagher's, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 19th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Barry’s Public House, Grange, Co. Sligo
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 20th: Fair City Grass, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble (USA), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Tin Box Company, Morrissey's Lounge, Cork St., Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 21st: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), live on 'The Saturday connection', Longford: FM 94.8, FM 97.2, FM104
Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Skelly's, Ballymahon, Co. Longford; +353 (0)86 4072441; e-mail
Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare
Prison Love, Carman Fair Festival, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

Sun. 22nd: Two Time Polka, Carman Fair Festival, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. Kickoff 4.00 pm. Open air.

Mon. 23rd: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Mannion's, Balla, Co. Mayo

Tues. 24th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Wed. 25th: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Rodden's Bar, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 26th: Martin Cooney & Myra Fraser, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA), Airfield, Dundrum, Dublin

Fri. 27th: Niall Toner Band, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.

Fri. 27th-Sun. 29th: Phil Murphy Weekend, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford: Gary Ferguson & David Miner (USA); Niall Toner Band on 27th; Kate Lissauer & the Buffalo Gals on 27th

Sat. 28th-Sun. 29th: Midlands Music Festival, Belvedere House, near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Prison Love on 28th; Niall Toner Band, Bray Vista on 29th; many others...

Sun. 29th: Blue Mountain Boys, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast
Tin Box Company, Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin

AUGUST 2007

Wed. 1st: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 2nd: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 3rd: Prison Love, SIA Festival, Carrick-on-Shannon
Two Time Polka, Downes Bar, Thomas St., Waterford. Kickoff 10.30 p.m. Adm. free.

Sat. 4th: Two Time Polka, John Roberts Square Stage, Waterford. Open air. Kickoff 2.45 p.m. Adm. free.
Two Time Polka, Three Shippes Bar, William St., Waterford. Kickoff 10.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel: 051 843178.
Prison Love, Crane Bar, Galway city

Sun. 5th: Prison Love, Castlepalooza, Tullamore
Two Time Polka, Open air - outside Festival Office, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Mon. 6th: Two Time Polka, O'Flaherty's Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel: 066 9151983.

Mon. 6th-Tues. 7th: First Foyle Ulster-Scots Bluegrass Festival, Derry city: Niall Toner Band, Broken Strings; in concert at Memorial Hall, Mon.; on the Walls, Tues.

Tues. 7th: Hayseed Dixie, Roisin Dubh, Galway city

Wed. 8th: Woodbine, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare
Hayseed Dixie, Tripod, Dublin (with Prison Love)
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 9th: Hayseed Dixie, Empire Music Hall, Belfast
The Outlaws, Biddy Friel’s Dromoghill, Lifford, Co. Donegal

Fri. 10th-Sun. 12th: Scottish Bluegrass Association's 21st Guildtown Bluegrass Festival: Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein (USA), Goldrush, New Redwing, Deep River Band, Craig Duncan & Friends (USA)

Fri. 10th: Fair City Grass, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
The Outlaws, Fort Royal Inn, Ballymena, Co. Down

Sat. 11th: The Outlaws, McCabe’s, Mountain Lodge, Cootehill, Co. Cavan

Sun. 12th: Niall Toner Band, St Enda's, Rathfarnham, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast
The Outlaws, Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk, Co. Cork

Thurs. 16th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 17th: Rocky Mountain Rebels, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Woodbine, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Broken Strings, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down
The Outlaws, The Hazel, Rathnew, Co. Westmeath

Sat. 18th: Niall Toner Band, Bunclody Blues 'n' Roots Festival, Bunclody, Co. Wexford
Two Time Polka, Pulse Nighclub, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. Adm. TBC. Kickoff 11.30 p.m. Tel: 066 9472217.
The Outlaws, Greenhills Hotel, Limerick, 10:30 p.m., €12

Sun. 19th: Niall Toner Band, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
The Outlaws, The Spa, Lucan, Dublin

Tues. 21st: Southern Tenant Folk Union, live on the Tubridy Show, Radio RTE 1, 9.00 a.m.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Dun Laoghaire, Pavilion Theatre

Wed. 22nd: Bill Whelan & Friends, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, the Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 23rd - Sun. 26th: 13th International Guinness Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; Jeff & Vida Band (USA); Hickory Project (USA); Boxcar Preachers (USA); Toy Hearts (UK); Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK); Prison Love; Knotty Pine String Band; Tennessee Hennessees; Tennessee Hob; Hazard Hollow; Anyoldtune; Desert Aces; contact Mick Daly, Ballymabin, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; mobile +353 (0)87 256 2899

Fri. 24th: Fair City Grass, Kozie 2 Bar, 73 Upper George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 25th: Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare
The Outlaws, the INF, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sun. 26th: Two Time Polka; Open air, The Square, Terryglass, Co. Tipperary. Kickoff 4.00 p.m. Tel: 067 44860/44852.
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast
Tin Box Company, Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin
The Outlaws, The Four Seasons, Monaghan

Mon. 27th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 28th - Sun. 2 Sept.: 28th Cork Folk Festival

Tues. 28th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, the Old Oak, Cork city

Wed. 29th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Thurs. 30th: Southern Tenant Folk Union, the Cherry Tree, Dublin (with the Sick & Indigent Song Club)
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 31st-Sun. 2nd Sept.: 16th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; Steep Canyon Rangers (USA), Lovell Sisters (USA), Malpass Brothers (USA), SunnySide (CZ), Red Wine (I), many more; full programme on website; contact Richard Hurst, 'phone +44 (0)28 82 243 292

Fri. 31st: Rocky Mountain Rebels, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Market Place Arts Centre, Armagh city
Two Time Polka: Fundraiser for Niall Mellon Township Trust, West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Doors open 9.30. Tickets E15. Contact no. for tickets 086 3044932.
The Outlaws, The Saddler’s Inn, Boyle, Roscommon

SEPTEMBER 2007

Sat. 1st-Sun. 2nd: 16th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh (see above)

Sat. 1st: Southern Tenant Folk Union, Rotterdam Bar, Belfast
Two Time Polka, Festival Club, Gresham Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain St., Cork. Doors open 11.00 p.m.
Tin Box Company, Farley's Bar, Beragh, Omagh. From 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 2nd: The Tin Box Company, Acoustic Grass, John & Noreen Hunter, Kelly's Inn, Omagh Road, Omagh, 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.; adm. £5.
Southern Tenant Folk Union, Electric Picnic Festival, Laois
The Outlaws, Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, Wexford

Wed. 5th: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 5th-Sun. 9th: Galway Americana Festival: Mollie O'Brien, Jeff & Vida Band, many more (see post of 16 July)

Thurs. 6th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition and Woodbine, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Thurs. 6th-Sun. 9th: Harvest Blues Festival, Monaghan town (includes Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition; see below)

Fri. 7th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, schools programme in Portlaoise (morning); Master Deery's Bar & Restaurant, Monaghan town, 9:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Niall Toner Band, Galway Americana Festival
The Outlaws, the Castle Arms, Durrow, Co. Laois

Sat. 8th: The Outlaws, Festival, Baltimore, Co. Cork
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Terry's Bar & Lounge, Monaghan town, 3:00-6:00 p.m.; Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 7.30 p.m.

Sun. 9th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, PK's Bar, 1:00-3:00 p.m., and the Still Bar (Four Seasons Hotel), 8:30-11:00 p.m., both in Monaghan town
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Thurs. 13th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Thurs. 13th-Sun. 16th: Sixth Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford town; Nashville Bluegrass Band, Guy Clark, Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell, the Carter Brothers Band, Niall Toner Band (15th & 16th), Rough Deal String Band, Jeff & Vida, and Ranch House Favorites. contact Chris Keenan or Kathy Casey, Clonturk, Longford; phone 087-281-7825 (international +353-87-281-7825)

Fri. 14th-Sun. 16th: Cornish Bluegrass Association Festival, Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall

Sat. 15th: The Outlaws, OB’s, Kilross, Co. Tipperary

Wed. 19th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 21st: The Outlaws, Private Function, Westport, Co. Mayo
Two Time Polka, Counihan's Bar, Pembroke St., Cork (as part of Beamish Experience Festival). Tel. 021 4277850. Kickoff 10.30 p.m.

Sat. 22nd: The Outlaws, the Ramble Inn, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Sun. 23rd: Sick & Indigent Song Club, CD release party at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 4.00-6.00 p.m.
Tin Box Company, Hollywood Inn, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, 6.00-8.00 p.m. (as part of Music under the Mountains 2007)
The Outlaws, the Four Seasons, Monaghan
Old-time music session, 9.00 p.m., Fountain Tavern, 16 Fountain Street, Belfast

Tues. 26th-Sun. 30th: 9th Open House Festival, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast: Old Crow Medicine Show (28th), Mozaik, Tim O'Brien and Arty McGlynn, the Earl Brothers (27th, 28th), the Hackensaw Boys, Crooked Still, the Duhks, the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, the Mountain Firework Company, the Ragged ‘n‘ Rough String Band, and Elvis – the Bluegrass Years; many others

Thurs. 27th-Sat. 13 Oct.: tour in Ireland & Scotland by the Earl Brothers (USA); details here

Thurs. 27th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 28th: Old Crow Medicine Show (USA), Open House Festival, Belfast
The Outlaws, Hazel Tree, Mallow, Co. Cork

Sat. 29th: Old Crow Medicine Show (USA), Black Box, Galway city
Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare
The Outlaws, McCabe’s, Mountain Lodge, Cavan

Sun. 30th: Old Crow Medicine Show (USA), The Village, Wexford St., Dublin

OCTOBER

Mon. 1st-Sun. 7th: IBMA's World of Bluegrass, Business Conference, Awards Show, and Fan Fest, Nashville, TN

Wed. 3rd: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 12th: Tim O'Brien, Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. Doors open 7.30 p.m. Performance 8.30 p.m. Adm. €20. Tel. (01) 8020898

Sat. 13th: Tim O'Brien, Half Moon Theatre, Cork

Wed. 17th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 20th: The Outlaws, Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Sun. 21st: The Outlaws, Lordan’s, Castle Ahan, Enniskean, Co. Cork

Thurs. 25th: Two Time Polka, Uluru Bar, Dunmore Road, Waterford. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 855333
The Outlaws, Caffertys @ The Ierne Ballroom, Parnell Square, Dublin
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Sat. 27th: Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare
The Outlaws, OBs, Kilross, Co. Tipperary

Sun. 28th: The Outlaws, Rhue Glen Hotel, Co. Kilkenny (near Waterford City)
Two Time Polka, The Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686

Mon. 29th: Two Time Polka, The Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Teatime gig: kickoff 5.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686

Wed. 31st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 2007

Thurs. 1st: The Outlaws, the Glencarn Hotel Awards, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan

Fri. 2nd: The Outlaws, the Fort Royal, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Sat. 3rd: The Outlaws, the Lavey Inn, Dublin Road, Lavey, Stradone, Co. Cavan

Sun. 4th: The Outlaws, Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Wed. 7th: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 8th: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 9th: The Outlaws, Grants Hotel, Castle St., Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Sun. 11th: The Outlaws, Spa Hotel, Lucan, Dublin

Wed. 14th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 16th: The Outlaws, Mellon Country Hotel, 134 Beltany Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sat. 17th: The Outlaws, The Sheepbridge, 143 Belfast Rd., Newry, Co. Down

Sun. 18th: The Outlaws, Times Hotel, Bank Place/Main Street, Tipperary

Wed. 21st: The Simpsons Bluegrass Band and Friends, GAA Club, Hyde Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd: Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 23rd: The Outlaws, Dunmore House Hotel, Muckross, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Sat. 24th: The Outlaws, Biddy Friel's, Drumoghill, Letterkenny Road, Co. Tyrone
Hank Wedel & Ray Barron, Linenmill Restaurant, the Desmesne, Westport, Co. Mayo; adm. €12 (087-7570958)

Wed. 28th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 29th: Laura Cortese (USA), the Barge Rooms, Ennis, Co. Clare

Fri. 30th: Korby Lenker (USA): workshop, Fingal Community College, Swords, Co. Dublin. 1.00-3.00 p.m. Phone +353-1-8401420
The Outlaws, Crowenstown Inn (between Delvin & Athboy), Co. Westmeath
The Simpsons Bluegrass Band and Friends, GAA Club, Hyde Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

DECEMBER 2007

Sat. 1st: The Outlaws, Park House Hotel, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford
Laura Cortese (USA), Kilgorlan
Korby Lenker (USA), Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, 9.00 p.m.; also live slot on Shannonside Radio 10.30-11 a.m. with Charlie Mcgettigan. Phone +353-7-19663586
Two Time Polka, Riverside Park Hotel, Macroom, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.; admission free. Tel. 026 20090.

Sun. 2nd: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Tuar Ard Theatre, Moate, Co. Westmeath; 09064 82042
The Outlaws, Spa Hotel, Lucan, Co. Dublin
Laura Cortese (USA), Dingle, Co. Kerry (venue TBA)
Korby Lenker (USA), Moving Stairs, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Show time TBC. Phone +353-7-19663586

Tues. 4th: Korby Lenker (USA), Live radio interview on Niall Toner's 'Roots Freeway', 9.00-10.00 p.m., RTE Radio 1
Laura Cortese (USA), Dolan's, 3/4 Dock Road, Limerick city; 8.00 p.m.; €9

Wed. 5th: Hanway's Hootenanny, J.J. O'Reilly's, 1 Main Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m.
Folk, bluegrass, and old-time session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin; the McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, others; from 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 6th: Korby Lenker (USA), Songwriters' Night, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. 8.30 p.m. Phone +353-1-8020898.
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 7th: Korby Lenker (USA), The Armoury, Balrothery Inn, Co. Dublin. 8.00 p.m. Phone +353-1-8412252
The Simpsons Bluegrass Band and Friends, GAA Club, Hyde Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 8th: Korby Lenker (USA), Drumcoura Lake Resort, Derrygowan, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. 10.30 p.m. Phone +353-7-9645781
Woodbine, Tadghin's Bar, Ballylinan, Co. Kildare
The Outlaws, Lavey Inn, Dublin Road, Cavan

Sun. 9th: Korby Lenker (USA), House concert (private), Co. Dublin. 8.30 p.m.
The Outlaws, the Upper Deck, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo. 10.00 p.m. €13.

Mon. 10th: Robirohi, Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Tues. 11th: Robirohi, Clontibret Church Hall, Co. Monaghan

Wed. 12th: Robirohi, Royal Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 13th: Robirohi, Mourne Country Hotel, Newry, Co. Down

Fri. 14th: Two Time Polka, Grand Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Kickoff 11.15 p.m.; admission free before 11.00 p.m. Tel. 064 31159.

Sat. 15th: The Outlaws, OBs, Kilross, Co. Tipperary

Wed. 19th: Prison Love with special guests the North Strand Klezmer Band, the Tripod, Old Harcourt Street Station, Dublin 2; doors open 7.30 p.m. Tickets: €15
'Strictly Bluegrass': Jim MacArdle (guitar), Dick McGarry (banjo), Mick Dunne (mandolin); The Well, Newfoundwell, Termonfeckin Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 9.00 p.m.; admission free (note new venue)

Thurs. 20th: Two Time Polka, Lee Delta Blues Club at the Corner House, Coburg St., Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.; admission free. Tel. 021 4500655.
Traditional, country, and bluegrass session, Clontarf Court Hotel, 225 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (+353(1)8332680)

Fri. 21st: The Outlaws, Derby House Hotel, Dublin St., Kildare, Co. Kildare

Sat. 22nd: Woodbine, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare
The Outlaws, Crotty's, Lemybrien, Co. Waterford

Sun. 23rd: The Outlaws, Newtown Country Club, Drumconrath, near Ardee, Co. Meath

Wed. 26th: The Outlaws, Times Hotel, Bank Place/Main Street, Tipperary

Thur. 27th: Niall Toner presents 'The Nashville sessions', RTE Radio One, 6.00-7.00 p.m.
The Outlaws, Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk, Co. Cork

Fri. 28th: Niall Toner presents 'The Nashville sessions', RTE Radio One, 6.00-7.00 p.m.
The Outlaws, The Gables, Corbert St., Athea, Co. Limerick
Two Time Polka, Uluru Bar, Dunmore Road, Waterford. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.; admission free. Tel. 051 855333.

Sat. 29th: The Outlaws, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch, Co. Down
Two Time Polka, Pulse Nightclub, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.; admission €8. Tel. 066 9472217.

Sun. 30th: The Outlaws, Four Seasons Hotel, Coolshannagh, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
Two Time Polka, John O'Sullivan's Bar, Douglas West, Cork. Kickoff 10.30 pm.; admission free. Tel. 021 4891416.

Mon. 31st (New Year's Eve): The Outlaws, The Greenhills Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Two Time Polka, The Lodge, Mallow, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.30 p.m.; admission free. Tel. 022 51785.

JANUARY 2008

Thurs. 3rd: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Wed. 9th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 11th-Sun. 13th: Winter Music Weekend, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare; Niall Toner Band, Two Time Polka, Simon Mayor & Hilary James, many others

Sat. 12th: Tumbleweed Love and Prairie Dawgs with guests, the Desert Aces; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10
The Blood Red Mountain Band, Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 17th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Fri. 18th: Jim Rooney, Mick Daly, and Arty McGlynn at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; doors 7.30 p.m., show 8.30 p.m. Admission €15

Sat. 19th: Woodbine, Newbridge Greyhound Track, Co. Kildare, 10 p.m.
Open bluegrass picking session, Rotterdam Bar, 54 Pilot Street, Belfast; 3.00 p.m.

Wed. 23rd: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 24th: Prison Love, I Draw Slow, Whelans, Dublin 2. Doors 8.00 p.m. Show 9.00 p.m. sharp; tickets €12 (students, OAPs €8) on the door

Sat. 26th: Beppe Gambetta, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. 9.00 p.m. Info tel. +44 28 663 25440
'Bluegrass, Trad & Folk' charity session, Kilbroney Inn, Rostrevor, Co. Down, 9.00 p.m.; proceeds to Mourne Stimulus and other charities

Sun. 27th: American Country, Roots and Bluegrass Day, Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford: Beppe Gambetta, Woodbine, Frankie Lane & Moonshine, the Sullivan Brothers; tel. 051 561159
The Blood Red Mountain Band, the Cobblestone, Dublin, 4.00 p.m.

Mon. 28th: Beppe Gambetta, The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork. 8.15 p.m. Info tel. + 353 25 24858
Dirk Powell & friends (USA) + Prison Love; Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin. Doors 8.00 p.m. Show 9.00 p.m. sharp. Tickets €15

Tues. 29th: Dirk Powell & friends (USA), the Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork city, 9.30 p.m.
Cat Malojian on 'The Blackstaff sessions', NI BBC2 TV, 10.00 p.m.

Thurs. 31st: Beppe Gambetta, The Crane, 2 Sea Road, Galway. 9.00 p.m. Tel. 353 91 587419
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Thurs. 31st-Feb. 3rd: 34th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards and 25th National Convention, Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN

FEBRUARY 2008

Fri. 1st: Beppe Gambetta, Cherrytree Inn, Walkinstown, Dublin. Tel +353 (0)1 450 3983

Sat. 2nd: Niall Toner Band, the Bard's Den, Letterfrack, Co. Galway, 10.30 p.m.

Mon. 4th: Beppe Gambetta, Rotterdam Bar, 54 Pilot Street, Belfast; 9.00 p.m. Tel. +44 28 9074 6021

Tues. 5th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Wed. 6th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Crane Bar, Galway
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 7th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Claremorris Folk Club, Claremorris, Co. Mayo

Fri. 8th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal

Fri. 8th-Sun. 10th: Annual FOAOTMAD Old-Time Music Festival, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England

Sat. 9th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Wine Bar (?), Ramelton, Co. Donegal
Tumbleweed Love and Prairie Dawgs with guests, the Critters; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Sun. 10th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Feile an Phobal, Belfast

Tues. 12th: Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder (Foghorns), Cherry Tree, Dublin; supported by Prison Love

Wed. 13th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 14th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Sat. 16th: John Hunter memorial evening, Flax Mill Centre, Drumduff, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m.; all proceeds to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke Association
UK Autoharps Day, Picklenash Junior School, Ross Road, Newent, Glos. GL18 1LL, 11.00-6.00

Mon. 18th: Songwriter summit at the Green Room, Holiday Inn, Pearse St., Dublin 2 (see post of 14 Feb.)

Wed. 20th: Janet Holmes & band, CD launch, McHugh's Bar, Belfast (Belfast Nashville Songwriting Festival)
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 21st: Nanci Griffith, Janet Holmes (Belfast Nashville Songwriting Festival)

Tues. 26th: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Errigle Inn, Belfast

Wed. 27th: Hayseed Dixie, Empire Music Hall, Belfast
The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 28th: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Strule Theatre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Hayseed Dixie, Nerve Centre, Derry city
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Fri. 29th: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bronte Centre, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Hayseed Dixie, Roisin Dubh, Galway

MARCH 2008

Sat. 1st: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Hayseed Dixie, Tripod, Dublin

Sun. 2nd: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Playhouse Theatre, Derry, Co. Londonderry
Hayseed Dixie, Cypress Avenue, Cork

Wed. 5th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin
Bluegrass session, the Rotterdam Bar, 54 Pilot Street, Belfast

Sat. 8th: Tumbleweed Love and Prairie Dawgs; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Wed. 12th: Appalachian Roots (Ira Bernstein & Riley Baugus) (USA), Black Box, 18-22 Hill St., Belfast: dance workshop 6.00-7.30, show starts 8.00; adm. £5.00 (show), £10.00 (workshop and show)
The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 13th: Prison Love, Vicar Street, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Fri. 14th: The Mudflapps (USA), Mother Reilly's, Rathmines, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.
Bill Evans & Megan Lynch (USA), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Sat. 15th: Bill Evans & Megan Lynch (USA), Gallagher's Pub, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
Two Time Polka, Cashel St Patrick's Festival, Town Plaza, Main Stage, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. 5.00-6.00 p.m.

Sun. 16th: Prison Love, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, 3.30 p.m.
The Blood Red Mountain Band, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 4.00 p.m.
Moonshine, Kinnity Castle, Kinnity, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.
Woodbine, Tadghin's Pub, Ballylinan, Co. Kilkenny (near Athy, Co. Kildare), 10.00 p.m.

Mon. 17th: The Mudflapps (USA), Black Box, St Patrick's Festival, Belfast, 2.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, The Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford. 1.00-3.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 053 24424

Wed. 19th: Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin: The Mudflapps (USA), 9.00 p.m.; Fair City Grass, 10.30 p.m.
The Mudflapps (USA), Thomas Read's, Dublin, 10.30 p.m.

Thurs. 20th: The Mudflapps (USA), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. ('Pick of the Month' on the Cobblestone's own gig list)

Sat. 22nd: The Mudflapps (USA), the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, 11.45 p.m.

Sun. 23rd: Two Time Polka, Ceol on the Coast, the Bayview Bar, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork. 5.00-7.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 027 67981

Mon. 24th-Fri. 28th: Sore Fingers Week, Kingham Hill School, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England

Wed. 26th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 27th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Sat. 29th: Prison Love, Eddie Murphy's, Kilkenny, 8.00 p.m.; €10 (proceeds to Crumlin Hospital)

APRIL 2008

Wed. 2nd: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Mon. 7th: Desert Aces CD launch, Crawdaddy, Harcourt St., Dublin; 8.00 p.m. With Prairie Dawgs. €10

Wed. 9th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 10th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 11th: Mozaik, Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m., €25

Sat. 12th: Tumbleweed Love and Prairie Dawgs; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Wed. 16th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 18th: Moonshine, the Crane Bar, Galway city, 10.00 p.m.

Sat. 19th: Prison Love, Oxfam Bookshop, 23 Parliament St., Dublin 2, 2.00-3.00 p.m., adm. free

Wed. 23rd: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 24th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 25th: Prison Love, Clarence Hotel, Wine Street, Sligo town, 10.00 p.m., +353 71 9142211

Sat. 26th: Prison Love, Crane Bar, Galway city, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 27th: Niall Toner Band at Poulaphouca House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow; tribute gig for Larry Roddy. 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 30th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin
Desert Aces, Thomas Read, Smithfield, Dublin
Skillet Lickers Revival, Sarsfield's, Chord Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 9.30 p.m., as fringe event to Drogheda Arts Festival


MAY 2008

Thurs. 1st: Tim O'Brien, Errigle Inn, Belfast
Two Time Polka, The Bulman Bar, Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 021 4772131

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 11th: 9th Cathedral Quarter Festival, Belfast; includes Rough Deal String Band (1 May)

Thurs. 1st-Sat. 3rd: EBMA's European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival, 't Trefpunt, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands

Fri. 2nd May: Tim O'Brien, the Cherrytree, Walkinstown Cross, Dublin 12, 9.00 p.m. Adm. €20 (€18 in advance)
Moonshine, the Crane Bar, Galway city, 10.00 p.m.

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 4th May: Kilcar Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass Festival, Kilcar (Cill Chartha), Co. Donegal: John Kinsella's Bluegrass Boys, Grainne Duffy, Martin Tourish, Hunky McCoy Blues Band; contact Sean O'Byrne (+353 (0)74-9739133)

Fri. 2nd-Mon. 5th: Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival; Tim O'Brien, Chatham County Line (USA), Martha Scanlan (USA) (ex Reeltime Travelers), Woodbine, Desert Aces, Two Time Polka, many more

Sat. 3rd: Prison Love, Spirit Store, Drogheda, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 4th: Niall Toner Band and Korby Lenker, at Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Tim O'Brien, Kilkenny city (as part of Rhythm & Roots Festival)

Mon. 5th: Tim O'Brien, the Crane Bar, Galway city

Wed. 7th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 7th-Sun. 11th: Transatlantic Bluegrass School, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Thurs. 8th-Sun. 11th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork

Thurs. 8th: Wailin' Jennys, Bronte Music Club, the Bronte Centre , Churchill Road, Rathfriland, Co. Down. 9.00 p.m.
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 9th: Darol Anger's Republic of Strings (as part of Baltimore Fiddle Fair)
Wailin' Jennys, Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. 8.00 p.m.
Blood Red Mountain Band, The Village, Wexford St., Dublin 2, supporting Modena City Ramblers (Italy). Adm. €15

Sat. 10th: Wailin' Jennys, The Black Box, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast; Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (CQAF). 12.00 p.m.
Tumbleweed Love; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Sun. 11th: Wailin' Jennys, Whelan's, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin. 8.00 p.m.
Niall Toner Band, Inisbofin Island, Co. Galway

Wed. 14th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 16th: Desert Aces, Lower Deck, Portobello, Dublin

Wed. 21st: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd: Athy Bluegrass Music Association: Athy Festival 2008 launch party, Pat Dunne's Lounge, Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin
Blood Red Mountain Band, Alfie's Bar, the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2

Fri. 23rd-Sun. 25th: Appalachian Music Weekend, Kilcar (Cill Chartha), Co. Donegal

Sat. 24th: Blood Red Mountain Band, Whelan's, Wexford St.; EP launch. Guests include the Prairie Dawgs & David Hope. Adm. €12. Doors 7.30 p.m.

Sun. 25th: Desert Aces, Riverbank Theatre, Kildare
Two Time Polka, the Square, Baltimore, Co. Cork (as part of Baltimore Seafood Festival). Open air. Kickoff 3.00 p.m.
Niall Toner Band third CD launch party at RTE, Dublin, on 'Roots Freeway', RTE Radio One; guest bands Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Prison Love and Bray Vista

Wed. 28th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 29th: Coors Light Open House Festival 2008 launch party, McHugh's Bar, 29-31 Queen's Square, Belfast, 10.30 a.m. to noon (see 24-8 September)

Fri. 30th: Moonshine, Festival, Cobh, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 31st: Moonshine, Festival, Cobh, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, 9.00 p.m.; pickers welcome

JUNE 2008

Sun. 1st.: Crooked Still (USA), Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, afternoon; pickers welcome
Woodbine, Tadghin's Pub, Ballylinan, Co. Kilkenny (near Athy, Co. Kildare), 10.00 p.m.

Mon. 2nd: Crooked Still, Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Two Time Polka, Custom House Quay, Dublin 5.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m. (as part of Dublin Docklands Maritime Festival)

Tues. 3rd: Crooked Still, De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Wed. 4th: Prison Love, Burma cyclone victims benefit concert, Sugar Club, Leeson St., Dublin 2; 8.00 p.m. €15.00
The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 5th: Crooked Still, the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 6th-Sun. 8th: Coastline Bluegrass Music Event, Plas Uchaf Farm, nr Llandudno Junction, N. Wales; G2 Bluegrass Band (Sweden; #1 European Bluegrass Band 2007), Sons of Navarone (Belgium), UK bands, dance troupes

Fri. 6th: Crooked Still, the Cherry Tree, Dublin

Sat. 7th: Crooked Still, the Crane Bar, Galway city

Sun. 8th: Crooked Still, the Crane Bar, Galway city

Mon. 9th: Crooked Still, Dolan's, Limerick city

Wed. 11th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 13th-Sun. 15th: Pembrokeshire Old-Time Festival, Angle, Pembrokeshire, Wales: Moonshine, Sara Grey & Ben Paley, Jock Tyldesley & Vera van Heeringen, Kittyhawks, Grumpy Bush String Band (see posts of 28 Feb., 30 May)

Fri. 13th: Tennessee Hennessees, Newtownards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 14th: Tumbleweed Love with the Blood Red Mountain Band; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 15th: Desert Aces, Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village; afternoon session on hotel terrace

Wed. 18th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 19th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 20th: Prison Love, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.
Blood Red Mountain Band, Dolan's (upstairs), Limerick. With David Hope. Adm. €15
Two Time Polka, Langtons Hotel, Kilkenny; kickoff 10.00pm. Adm. free. Tel. 056 7765133

Sat. 21st: Two Time Polka, Ballyhook Farm, Ballyhook Hill, Grangecon, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow (fundraiser in aid of the Jack and Gill Foundation)
Tennessee Hennessees, Cafe Merlot, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 22nd: Uri Kohen talks about the 2nd Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival (27-29 June) on justin.tv/crcfm2, 6.00 p.m.

Wed. 25th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 26th-Sat. 28th: ROMP 08, International Bluegrass Music Museum, Owensboro, KY

Fri. 27th-Sun. 29th: 2nd Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo; Four Wheel Drive, Woodbine, Colonel Bullshot Bluegrass Band, Gavin Glass & the Holy Shakers, Sullivan Brothers, Paul K. Trio; main venue Westport Inn Hotel; contact Uri Kohen by e-mail or 'phone 087-7570958; full programme on Festival MySpace site

JULY 2008

Wed. 2nd: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 3rd: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 4th: Prison Love, the Button Factory, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, doors 8.00 p.m.; €12

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: 20th North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Conwy, N. Wales; Special Consensus (USA), Bononia Grass (I), many more
Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: American Independence Celebrations, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sat. 5th: UK Autoharps Day, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England
Hunger Mountain Boys (USA), Cork Midsummer Festival, the Pavilion, Carey's Lane, 8.00 p.m.
High Country (USA), Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary

Sun. 6th: High Country (USA), Murphy's Bar, Tramore, Co. Waterford, 5.00 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Boys (USA), the Black Box, Hill Street, Belfast

Mon. 7th: High Country (USA), on Derek Mooney's 'Mooney' show, RTE Radio 1, 3.00 p.m.
High Country (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.

Tues. 8th: High Country (USA), Cork City Library, 2.00 p.m.
High Country (USA), Kilworth Arts Centre, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 9th: High Country (USA), The Local Bar, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin
Hunger Mountain Boys (USA), the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Thurs. 10th: Fair City Grass, the Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
High Country (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Boys (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Thurs. 10th-Sun. 13th: Athy Bluegrass Music Festival: Special Consensus (USA), High Country (USA), LeRoy Mack (USA), Grassroots (UK), Niall Toner Band (12 July), Woodbine, Martin Cooney, Tennessee Hennessees, Kevin & Geraldine Gill, Sullivan Brothers

Fri. 11th: Punch Brothers (USA), Sugar Club, Dublin
Blood Red Mountain Band, with the Desert Aces, Whelans, Dublin; adm. TBC
Hunger Mountain Boys (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Sat. 12th: Tumbleweed Love; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Sat. 12th-Sun. 20th: Kinsale Arts Week, Co. Cork: Grassroots (UK) on Sat. 12/ Sun. 13 July

Wed. 16th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 17th: Niall Toner Band, Downeys, Ballyfermot, Dublin
Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Fri. 18th-Sat. 19th: 1st Annual Fingal Songwriter's Weekend, Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin: Mick Hanly, Gary Ferguson, Colin Henry, Janet Holmes, Iain Archer, Peter Baxter; workshops 3.00 p.m., concerts 8.30 p.m.

Fri. 18th-Sun. 20th: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal (contact Patsy McGill, +353 (0)74-9537949, 087-6900714); Friday: Niall Toner Band, Deirdre Bonner, Morgan Campbell
Saturday: Niall Toner (workshop), Dirty Blues Band, Slim Picken;
Sunday: Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry with Janet Holmes, Woodbine

Sat. 19th: Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry with Janet Holmes, Shannonside Radio (94.8fm, 97.2fm 104.1fm), 11.00 a.m.; Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 9.00 p.m. (both shows with Charlie McGettigan)

Sun. 20th: Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry with Janet Holmes, Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara, Co. Donegal (as part of Ardara Bluegrass Festival), 10.00 p.m.

Mon. 21st: Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry, McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal, 10.00 p.m.

Tues. 22nd: Iris DeMent (USA), Button Factory, Dublin
Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry, Rodden's, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 23rd: Iris DeMent (USA), Spring & Airbrake, Belfast
Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry, with Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and Sheila Sullivan, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 24th: Iris DeMent (USA), Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn, Firhouse Road, Dublin

Thurs. 24th-Sun. 27th: Phil Murphy Weekend, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford; Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike (USA) (26th-27th), Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry (25th-27th), Sullivan Brothers & Brand New Companions, many others

Sat. 26th: Iris DeMent (USA), Campbell's Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford, Co. Galway
Niall Toner Band, Eileen Aroon Festival, Bunclody, Co. Wexford
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 27th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village; afternoon session on hotel terrace

Mon. 28th: Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry, McCarthy's Bar, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 30th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 31st: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

AUGUST 2008

Sat. 2nd: Maiden City Festival, Derry: Niall Toner Band, Bill Whelan's Oxo Boys, Woodbine, Acoustic Grass; on the Walls and outside Richmond and Foyleside Shopping Centres
Two Time Polka, the Three Shippes, William St., Waterford. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 843178

Sat. 2nd and Sun. 3rd: UTV Country Fest, Dungannon Park, Co. Tyrone: includes George Jones, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, many more

Sun. 3rd: Two Time Polka, Caherciveen Festival of Music & Arts, Co. Kerry; Open air outside the library, 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Main stage, kickoff 8.45 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 066 94737726 / 9473772/ 94737723 66 9

Mon. 4th: 2nd Foyle Ulster-Scots 'Bluegrass on the Walls' Festival, Derry city: Woodbine (Athy), Acoustic Grass (Derry), Scots traditional musicians
Two Time Polka, O'Flaherty's Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 066 9151983

Wed. 6th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 7th: Two Time Polka, Lee Delta Blues Club, the Corner House, Coburg St., Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4500655

Sat. 9th: Tumbleweed Love; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Sun. 10th: Vincent Cross and special guests, Monroe's Tavern (Function room), 9.00-11.00 p.m. in Galway

Tues. 12th: Vincent Cross and special guests, the International Bar, Wicklow Street, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 13th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 14th: Mike Stimpson & friends: traditional (Irish and American) and bluegrass session, Parlour Bar, Killester, Dublin

Fri. 15th: Prairie Dawgs, Bewley's, Grafton St., Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 16th: Niall Toner Band, Solas Festival, Huntington Castle, Clonegal, Co. Carlow
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, 10.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Pulse Nightclub, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. Midnight-2.00 a.m. Adm. TBC. Tel. 066 9472217

Sun. 17th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village; afternoon session on hotel terrace
Niall Toner Band, St Enda's, Rathfarnham, Dublin. 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Wed. 20th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 21st-Sun. 24th: 14th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; Hungry Hill (Canada; Ross Nickerson (USA) on banjo), Jack Grace Band (USA), Sunnyside (CZ), Blueflint (UK), Kate Lissauer & the Buffalo Gals (UK), Knotty Pine String Band, Southern Bluegrass Union, Tin Box Company, Sullivan Bros & Brand New Companions, The Huzzar; contact Mick Daly e-mail

Fri. 22nd: Niall Toner Band (Niall + Clem), Stephen's Green Bandstand 1.00-2.00 p.m.
John Martin & Tee Boucherie (Cajun trio), Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, 8.00 p.m. (free)

Sat. 23rd: Two Time Polka, Terryglass Arts Festival, Co. Tipperary. Terryglass Quay, open air. 8.00-9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 067 22102
Moonshine, Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, 5.00 p.m.

Sat. 23rd-Sun. 24th: Flat Lake Festival, Clones, Co. Monaghan; acts include the Foghorn Duo

Sun. 24th: Foghorn Duo, Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, 5.00 p.m.

Tues. 26th: Hungry Hill (Canada), Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Wed. 27th: The Foghorn Duo, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 28th: Hungry Hill (Canada), Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Fri. 29th: Niall Toner Band, Stephen's Green Bandstand, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Prison Love at the Newgrange Stage, Stradbally, Co. Laois, 4.00 p.m. (part of Electric Picnic)
Jack Grace Band (USA) with Tom Hanway, McCarthy's, Dingle, Co. Kerry, 10.00 p.m.

Fri. 29th-Sun. 31st: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, Gloucs., England: Cadillac Sky (USA) and over two dozen British and European bands

Sat. 30th: Two Time Polka, Muddy Maher's, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free
Prison Love at the Village Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois, 1.00 a.m. (part of Electric Picnic)
Jack Grace Band (USA) with Tom Hanway, Cleere's, Kilkenny, 10.00 p.m.

Sun. 31st: Hungry Hill (Canada), De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Two Time Polka, The Craic in Kilmac, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. Open air in the park. Kickoff 5.00 p.m. Adm. €5


SEPTEMBER 2008

Mon. 1st: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens launch their second CD, Here with you, at The Loft, Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, Co. Longford; with Northern Exposure, Simon Casey, Declan Nerney

Tues. 2nd: Hungry Hill (Canada), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 3rd: Hungry Hill (Canada), Tom Malone’s Marketplace Pub, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 4th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Black Box, Belfast; +44 (0)28 90 244400

Fri. 5th: Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 20:00

Fri. 5th-Sun. 7th: Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; Mike Cleveland & Flamekeeper (USA), Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass (USA), Big Medicine (USA), G2 Bluegrass Band (Sweden), Hungry Hill (Canada); many others

Sat. 6th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Ulster American Folk Park (Bluegrass Festival), Omagh; +44 (0)28 82 243292
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Black Box, Belfast, 20:00

Sun. 7th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Markethouse Arts Centre, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan (Harvest Blues Festival); +353 (0)47 71046
Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 20:00

Mon. 8th: Hot Club of Cowtown (USA), Colfers, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 20:00

Tues. 9th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare; +353 (0)45 864181

Wed. 10th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Tadghin's Bar & Restaurant, Ballylinan, Athy, Co. Kildare; +353 (0)59 862 5788
The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 11th: Hungry Hill (Canada), Galway Americana Festival, Crane Bar, Galway
Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; +353 (0)74 912 9186

Fri. 12th: Emmylou Harris, the National Stadium, Dublin
Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Barry's Pub, Grange, Co. Sligo; +353 (0)71 917 3111
Hungry Hill (Canada), the Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Two Time Polka, Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. €10. 091 587419

Sat. 13th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Crane Bar, Galway (Galway Americana Festival); +353 (0)91 587419
Hungry Hill (Canada), The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
Tumbleweed Love; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Sun. 14th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Hungry Hill (Canada), Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford; +353 (0)51 561159

Mon. 15th: Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; +353 (0)87 792 1771

Wed. 17th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Thurs. 18th-Sun. 21st: Guinness International Clonakilty Guitar Festival, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Fri. 19th: Ragin' Cajun Night: Knotty Pine String Band (plus full Cajun dinner), Market Place Theatre, Armagh, 8.30 p.m.; concert £13, concert+dinner £24; 028 3752 1821
No Crows (IRL) and Carter Brothers (USA), Roots Freeway Special before live audience, Studio 1, RTE Radio Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4; e-mail for tickets (see BIB post of 14 Sept.)

Sun. 21st: Balfa Toujours (classic Cajun), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.

Tues. 23rd: Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), The Local, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Wed. 24th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford

Wed. 24th-Sun. 28th: Open House Festival, Belfast; contact Kieran Gilmore, PO Box 272, Belfast BT20 5WX, Northern Ireland; +44 2891454754; e-mail; see BIB post of 12 June

Thurs. 25th: Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Prison Love, Crawdaddy, Dublin, with I Draw Slow
Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), as part of Open House Festival, Belfast

Thurs. 25th-Sun. 28th: 7th Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford town, Co. Longford; see BIB post of 18 May

Fri. 26th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), Spirit Store, Dundalk, 8.00 p.m.
Hungry Hill (Canada), Clifden Community Arts Festival, Connemara, Co. Galway
Tennessee Hennessees, McHugh's, Queen's Square, Belfast, 4.00-7.00 p.m. (as part of Open House Festival)
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Open House Festival
Prison Love, Open House Festival, with the Wilders

Sat. 27th: Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Sandion's Cafe Bar, Water St., Derry city
Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), Barry's Public House, Sligo town (8.00 p.m.) +353 719173111
Two Time Polka, Cobh Blues Festival, Commodore Hotel, Cobh, Co. Cork. Kickoff 11.30 p.m. Adm. TBC. 021 4811277

Sun. 28th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), de Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 7.30 p.m.
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Mon. 29th: Hungry Hill (Canada), the Cherry Tree, Walkinstown, Dublin
Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, (7.30 p.m.) +353 25 27109 (TBC)
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), The Linenhall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Mon. 29th-Sun. 5th Oct.: IBMA's World of Bluegrass Business Conference, Awards Show, and Fan Fest, Nashville, TN

Tues. 30th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), the Old Oak, Oliver Plunkett St, Cork city (8.00 p.m.) +353 21427 6165
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), the Crane Bar, Galway city


OCTOBER 2008

Wed. 1st: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), St John's Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 7.30 p.m. 06822566
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin
Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun), The Pavilion, Cork city

Thurs. 2nd: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), the Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road, Galway (8.00 p.m.) +353 91 587419

Thurs. 2nd-Sun. 5th: 29th Cork Folk Festival: Two Time Polka, Frankie Lane, Lee Valley String Band, many others

Fri. 3rd: Tennessee Hennessees, Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.
Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 7.30 p.m. +353 57866 3355

Sat. 4th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8.00 p.m. +353 18721799
Two Time Polka, Cruiscin Lán Bar, Douglas St., Cork. Doors open 9.30 p.m. Support band on stage at 10.00 p.m. Adm €10. 021 4316428

Wed. 8th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 11th: Prairie Dawgs with 'The Reverend J.M. and Shanks be Danks', plus Mark Flynn and other special guests in Tumbleweed Love Sessions; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Thurs. 16th: Peter Rowan in concert, Queen's Hall, Newtownards, Co. Down, as part of the 12th International Ards Guitar Festival; 8.00 p.m. £15.00/£12.00

Fri. 17th: Two Time Polka, Henchy's Bar, St Luke's, Cork city. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel. 021 4507833

Wed. 22nd: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 24th-Sun. 26th: Red Line Roots Festival at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, and other local venues; incorporates the regular Saturday old-time session; many other events

Fri. 24th-Mon. 27th: Cork Jazz Festival (Two Time Polka)

Fri. 24th: Two Time Polka, John O'Sullivan's Bar, Douglas West, Cork. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel. 021 4891416.

Sat. 25th: Old-time session at the Oxfam Bookshop, Parliament Street, Dublin, 2.00 p.m. (as part of Oxjam): Tim Hawkins, Cathal Cusack, Richard Hawkins
Two Time Polka, McCarthy's Bar (formally Tennis Village) Bishopstown, Cork. Adm. free. 10.00 p.m.-midnight. Tel. 021 4346165.

Sun. 26th: Two Time Polka, the Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Adm. free. 11.30 p.m.-1.30 a.m. Tel. 021 4291686.

Mon. 27th: Two Time Polka, the Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Road, Cork. Adm. free. 5.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. Tel. 021 4291686

Tues. 28th: Crooked Jades (USA), Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry

Wed. 29th: Crooked Jades (USA), Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's, Belfast
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. Box office: 074 937 9104

Thurs. 30th: Crooked Jades (USA), North Down Museum, The Castle, Bangor, Co. Down
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's, Belfast. Box office: 028 9097 1197
Tennessee Hennessees on 'Blas Ceoil', BBC2 NI TV, 10.00 p.m.

Fri. 31st: Crooked Jades (USA), Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, the Glór Centre, Causeway Link, Ennis, Co. Clare. Box office: 065 684 3103
Bill Evans & Megan Lynch (USA), Hiney's Pub, Ferbane, Co. Offaly


NOVEMBER 2008

Sat. 1st: Crooked Jades (USA), Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Bill Evans & Megan Lynch (USA), Old Courthouse, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare; plus Tania Opland and Mike Freeman; 8.30 p.m.
Bending the Strings, GAA Club, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m., adm. €10 (in aid of Irish Wheelchair Association Youth Club)
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Box office: 01 272 4030

Sun. 2nd: Bill Evans & Megan Lynch (USA), the Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway city, 6.30 p.m.

Wed. 5th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.
Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin
Niall Toner Band, Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow

Fri. 7th: Niall Toner Band, Foyle Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway
Janet Holmes (with Colin Henry, Ivan Muirhead, Wilson Davies), Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh, Co. Down, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 8th: Niall Toner Band, Johnston's Hall, Kinvara, Co. Galway (promoted by the KAM Collective)
Tumbleweed Love Sessions; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Wed. 12th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 14th: Niall Toner Band, Artforms Gallery, Charlotte Street, Carlow town

Sat. 15th: Prairie Dawgs (plus the Long Knives), the 108, Terenure Road East, Dublin 6, 9.00 p.m.

Mon. 17th: Appalachian Roots (USA), Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow

Tues. 18th: Appalachian Roots (USA), Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Wed. 19th: The McGrane Family, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Con Butler, and friends: folk, old-time and bluegrass session, the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Dublin. 9.30 p.m.
Appalachian Roots (USA), Colfers Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford; 087 8200986

Thurs. 20th: Appalachian Roots (USA), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m., €10
Hazard Hollow (Ruth Dillon, Bernie O’Mahony, Tom Hanway): traditional and original bluegrass and country, the Phoenix Folk Club, Downey’s, Grange Cross, 343 Ballyfermot Road, Dublin; 9.00 pm.

Fri. 21st: Appalachian Roots (USA), Lyness Pub, Richill, Co. Armagh; 07771 571122

Sat. 22nd: Chatham County Line (USA), Errigle Inn, Belfast, 8.00 p.m.
Prairie Dawgs, Kruger's, Howth, Co. Dublin
I Draw Slow, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 23rd: Chatham County Line (USA), Crawdaddy, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 26th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 28th: Niall Toner Band, 'Fundraiser for a Fallen Friend'; Purty Loft, Old Dunleary, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin; 9.30 p.m. €15


DECEMBER 2008

Sat. 6th: Woodbine, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare: lunchtime show, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
KAM Christmas Benefit concert for M.E. & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, hosted by Finola Ó Siochrú at Kinvara Community Centre, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 8.30 p.m. Admission (donation) €15/10
Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, near Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, from 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 7th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, near Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, 3.00-6.00 p.m.

Mon. 8th: Launch of 'Peace for now (Natalis Jesu)' (words & music by Gabby Brady), with Aidan Coleman and the McGrane Family, Blue Light Pub, Barnaculla Road (above Stepaside), Dublin Mountains, 8.45 p.m.; all proceeds to Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Wed. 10th: Fair City Grass, 9.30 p.m., Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin

Fri. 12th: Hazard Hollow (Ruth Dillon, Tom Hanway, Bernie O'Mahony), the Crane Bar, Galway city, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 13th: Tumbleweed Love Sessions; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10
Hazard Hollow (Ruth Dillon, Tom Hanway, Bernie O'Mahony), the Crane Bar, Galway city, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 18th: Woodbine: Xmas Draw, Pat Dunne's, Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.30 p.m.
Christmas bluegrass get-together, hosted by the Tin Box Company, Knocklyon Inn (Delaney's), Firhouse Road, Dublin 16; 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 20th: Prison Love Christmas Breakout, Crawdaddy, Harcourt St., Dublin 2, with the Hot Sprockets; show starts 8.00 p.m.; €15

Wed. 24th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 26 Dec: Two Time Polka, Muddy Mahers, Kinsale, Co. Cork. 7.00-9.00 p.m. Adm. free.


JANUARY 2009

Thurs. 1st: Two Time Polka, O'Flahertys Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 066 9151983.

Wed. 7th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 9th: Prison Love, Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin 2; 8:30 p.m.; €10. Late bar and DJ afterwards

Wed. 14th: Special Consensus (USA), Barry's Pub, Grange, Co. Sligo; +353 (0)71 917 3111

Thurs. 15th-Sun. 1st Feb.: Celtic Connections 2009 Festival, Glasgow, Scotland: Cherryholmes, Dan Tyminski, the Jerry Douglas Band, Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien, Crooked Still, Bruce Molsky, Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet, Russ Barenberg, the Hot Seats, Leon Hunt & Guests, the Wilders, Dirk Powell & Riley Baugus, many more

Thurs. 15th: Special Consensus (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; +353 (0)1 802 0898

Fri. 16th-Sun. 18th: Winter Music Weekend, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare

Fri. 16th: Special Consensus (USA), Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, venue TBC; +353 (0)86 846 4509 (as part of Winter Music Weekend)

Sat. 17th-Sun. 18th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)

Sat. 17th: Special Consensus (USA), Crane Bar, Galway; +353 (0)91 587419
Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, and Mick Daly, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; +353 (0)1 802 0898
Arlo Guthrie, Cyprus Avenue, Cork

Sun. 18th: Special Consensus (USA), Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick; +353 (0)61 314483
Arlo Guthrie, Whelan's, Dublin 2

Mon. 19th: Special Consensus (USA), St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; +353 (0)68 22566

Tues. 20th: Special Consensus (USA), Mount Zion, Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Arlo Guthrie, Roisin Dubh, Galway city

Wed. 21st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 23rd: Arlo Guthrie, Grant's Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Sat. 24th: Arlo Guthrie, TF Theatre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Sun. 25th: Arlo Guthrie, McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, at the Grand Hotel, Moate, Co. Westmeath

Mon. 26th: Arlo Guthrie, The Menagerie, Belfast

Wed. 28th: Special Consensus (USA), the Menagerie, Belfast; +44 (0)7719 890229

Thurs. 29th: Special Consensus (USA), Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh, Co. Down; +44 (0)7834 811671

Fri. 30th: Special Consensus (USA), Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare, with Woodbine; +353 (0)59 863 0100

Sat. 31st: Special Consensus (USA), Marketplace Arts Centre, Armagh; +44 (0)28 37 521821
Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, World Music Club, West End Bar, Main St., Lismore, Co. Waterford; John Cullimore, 058 53970


FEBRUARY 2009

Sun. 1st: Colfer's 5th Annual American Country, Bluegrass, and Roots Music Festival: Special Consensus (USA); Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley (USA/UK); Niall Toner Band, Woodbine, Sullivan Brothers: from 5.00 p.m., Colfer's Bar, Main St., Carrig on Bannnow, Co. Wexford; John Murphy, +353 (0)51 561159

Mon. 2nd: Special Consensus (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; +353 (0)87 792 1771
Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare; Larry Roddy, +353 (0)3456 64017

Tues. 3rd: Special Consensus (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; +353 (0)87 792 177
Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (TBC); John Nyhan, +353 (0)87 792 177

Wed. 4th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road, Galway; Mick Creehan, 091 587419/ 872 245637
I Draw Slow, supported by the Blood Red Mountain Band, Whelans, Wexford St., Dublin. Doors 8.30; €10.
Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.
The 2RN String Band, J. McNeill's, Capel Street, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. (the first in a series of weekly sessions)

Thurs. 5th: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Cobblestone, 77 North King St., Dublin; Larry Roddy, 03456 64017

Sat. 7th: Tupelo on Country Mix 106.8 FM from 2.00 p.m
Niall Toner Band, Bard's Inn, Letterfrack, Co. Galway, 10.00 p.m.

Sat. 7th-Sun. 8th: European Bluegrass Summit meeting, Bühl/Baden, Germany

Sun. 8th: Tupelo, Bruin's Pub, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin (no cover charge)

Fri. 13th-Sun. 15th: FOAOTMAD's Old-Time Music Festival, Trent Valley Academy, the Avenue, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England: New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters (USA), Foundlings, Old Yeller Dog, Coffin Dodgers, workshops, dance, and more

Sat. 14th: Niall Toner Band, Dublin; details TBC
Opening (noon) of Jimi's Music Store, Unit B2, Ballymount Drive, Walkinstown, Dublin 12; 'phone +353-1-456-9586

Sat. 14th-Sun. 15th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)

Wed. 18th-Sun. 22nd 5th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival & Convention, Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place (close to City Hall), Belfast; telephone +44 (0) 2890 246609

Wed. 18th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Sat. 21st: Tennessee Hennessees, College of Art, York St., Belfast (as part of Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival)

Thurs. 26th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Bending the Strings, at The Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Fri. 27th-Sun. 1st Mar.: Dangem Banjo Camp (instructor John Dowling), Corrs Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim

Fri. 27th: The Tumbleweed Love Sessions: Prairie Dawgs, Tupelo, and Little Ass Birds, downstairs at Peadar Kearney's, Dame St. (near Olympia Theatre), Dublin; €8.00, licence to 2.30 a.m.

Sat. 28th-Sun. 1st Mar.: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)


MARCH 2009

Wed. 4th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Sat. 7th: Woodbine, Pat Dunne's bar, Woodstock St. (R428), Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 12th: Two Time Polka, opening of photographic exhibition at Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork. 7.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4813790

Sat. 14th-Sun. 15th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)

Sat. 14th: Concert at Stormont, Belfast (invitation only): Woodbine, Kintra, Declan Forde, other artists

Sun. 15th: Prison Love, Merrion Square, Dublin, 12.15 and 3.15 p.m. (as part of St Patrick's Festival 'Big Day Out'
Tupelo, Whelan's, Dublin; €10 cover charge

Mon. 16th: Two Time Polka, Grand Hotel, Tramore, Co. Waterford. Doors open 10.30 p.m. Adm. €10. Tel. 051 381414

Tues. 17th: Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford. 1.00-3.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 053 24424

Wed. 18th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Thurs. 19th: The Isaacs (USA; bluegrass gospel), Craigavon Civic Centre
The McGrane Family (old-time family harmony with guitars & autoharp), with Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro) and Con Butler (bass), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; doors 8.30 p.m. €5

Fri. 20th: The Isaacs (USA) Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Sat. 21st: The Isaacs (USA) Spires Centre, Belfast
The Gospel Project (Dublin-based: five vocalists, 3-piece band), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; 9.00 p.m. €10
Two Time Polka, Brewery Tap, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Kick off 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 057 9321131.

Tues. 24th: Kruger Brothers (CH/USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork. 8.15 p.m. 'Phone 087 7921771

Wed. 25th: Kruger Brothers (CH/USA), St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry. 8.00 p.m. 'Phone +353 (0)68 22566

Thurs. 26th: Kruger Brothers (CH/USA), the Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare. 8.00 p.m. 'Phone 086 8464509
Little Ass Birds (neo-old-time string band; one-mike setup); guest Ken Bolton, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; 9.00 p.m. €7

Fri. 27th: Prison Love, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; 9.00 p.m. €12

Sat. 28th-Sun. 29th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)

Sat. 28th: Lee Valley String Band, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. 8.30 p.m.
Gala Benefit in aid of Volunteer Development in Haiti, with the Molly Hicks (Ruth Dillon, Bernie O'Mahony, Tom Hanway, Paul Johnson), Greg Cotter, Mary Flanagan, and more: Crane Bar, Galway city, 9.30 p.m.

Tues. 31st: Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group, Olympia Theatre, Dublin; 7.30 p.m.


APRIL 2009

Wed. 1st: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.
Albaquirky Turkeys, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 3rd: Niall Toner Band, The Chantry, Market Square, Bunclody, Co. Wexford: CD and venue launch, with special guest Keith Sewell; tickets €15 from the Chantry in advance, €20 on the door. Doors 7.30 p.m., show 8.30 p.m.
Prison Love, the Crane Bar, Galway city
Tupelo, Kearney's, Dame St., Dublin 2, 10.00 p.m., adm. free

Thurs. 9th: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Longford Arms Hotel, Longford town; 'phone 087 4152301

Sat. 11th-Tues. 14th: Thomas Bailey (USA), Ulster-American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sat. 11th: Tumbleweed Love Sessions, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin: Prairie Dawgs, Little Ass Birds, Herm; 9.00 p.m., €8

Sun. 12th: Woodbine, Clancy's Acoustic Session, Clancy's, Leinster St., Athy, Co. Kildare, 5.00-7.00 p.m.

Mon. 13th-Fri. 17th: Sore Fingers Week, Kingham Hill School, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England

Mon. 13th: Two Time Polka, the Bay View Bar, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork (Kilcrohane Music Festival). Kickoff 4.00-6.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 027 67981

Wed. 15th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Fri. 17th: Prison Love, McHugh's, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Tupelo, Slattery's, Rathmines, Dublin
Ruth Dillon & Tom Hanway, McCarthy's Bar, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, 9.00 p.m. €12

Sat. 18th-Sun. 19th: Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop Weekend by Duck Baker (USA) at Raughley, Co. Sligo (details here)

Sat. 18th: Sarah and Hubie MacEvilly (guitars, autoharp) with John Flatley (bass) and Rob Thornburgh (fiddle), Geraghty's, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo
Woodbine, Lennon's, Durrow, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 19th: Duck Baker (USA), Factory Performance Space, Lower Quay St., Sligo, 8.00 p.m.; tickets €15/€12; booking and information (071) 9170431

Mon. 20th: Duck Baker (USA), Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.; tickets €15/€12

Sat. 25th-Sun. 26th: Tin Box Company, Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim Village, Sat. evening-Sun. afternoon. Contact John Heeney (087-2592414) or Martin Kavanagh (087-2504505)

Wed. 29th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Thurs. 30th-Sun. May 10th: Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast; Beatlegrass, Wailin' Jennys, many others

MAY 2009

***Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month!***

Fri. 1st: Niall Toner Band, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow

Fri. 1st-Sun. 3rd: 2nd Kilcar Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass Festival, Kilcar, Co. Donegal: Jerry Harmon (USA), the Stubble Brothers, Hunky McCoys Blues Band, more

Fri. 1st-Mon. 4th: Carlsberg Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival, Kilkenny city: Jack Grace Band with Tom Hanway (USA), Pilgrim Sisters, many more

Sat. 2nd: The Paperboys (Canada), South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (opening the Centre's bi-monthly 'Bluegrass Concert Series'); 7.30/8.00 p.m.

Sun. 3rd: Niall Toner Band, Morrison's Hotel, Kilkenny city, 4.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. (as part of Rhythm & Roots Festival)
Prison Love, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Two Time Polka, the Anchor Bar, Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Kickoff 6.00 p.m. Outdoors, weather permitting, indoor otherwise. Tel: 058 41249.
Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 4.00-7.00 p.m.

Tues. 5th: Jack Grace Band with Tom Hanway (USA), the Thatch, Rahan, Co. Offaly

Thurs. 7th-Sun. 10th: Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork

Thurs. 7th: Foghorn Duo plus Betse Ellis (USA), The Black Box, 1.00 p.m. + McHugh’s Basement, 8.00 p.m. (as part of 10th Cathedral Quarter Festival, Belfast)
Dirk Powell, Joel Savoy (USA), and Vera van Heeringen, with Prison Love, at The Village, 26 Wexford St., Dublin 2
Little Ass Birds, M.B. Slattery's, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Jack Grace Band with Tom Hanway (USA), Barry's, Sligo, Co. Sligo, 9.00 p.m.
Jerry Harmon (USA), Bridge Inn, 2 Bridge St., Carnlough, Co. Antrim

Fri. 8th: Foghorn Duo plus Betse Ellis (USA), Dirk Powell (USA) (as part of Baltimore Fiddle Fair)
Niall Toner Band, Clancy's, Leinster St., Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.
Jack Grace Band with Tom Hanway (USA), the Stillery, Longford town, Co. Longford

Sat. 9th: Jack Grace Band with Tom Hanway (USA), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Jerry Harmon (USA), Short´s Heritage Bar and Lounge, High St., Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Prairie Dawgs, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. (Tumbleweed Love Sessions)

Wed. 13th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Fri. 15th: Athy Bluegrass Music Association Festival 2009 Launch Party & Concert, Clancy's Bar, Leinster St., Athy, Co. Kildare, 9.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Carrigaline Court Hotel, Carrigaline, Co. Cork (fundraiser for the 1st Crosshaven Folk Festival); 9.00 p.m.; with Hank Wedel, Lee Valley String Band, Loudest Whisper, Prestor John Blues Band, Noel Shine & Mary Greene, Ger Wolfe. Raffle on the night: 1st prize €150. Adm. €20. Tel: 0876610005.

Sat. 16th: Foghorn Duo, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Mon. 18th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, 7:00 p.m. Malahide Library, Main St., Malahide, Co. Dublin

Tues. 19th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, 11:00 a.m. and late afternoon, Co. Roscommon

Wed. 20th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, 11:00 a.m. and late afternoon, Co. Roscommon

Thurs. 21st-Sat. 23rd: European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands

Fri. 22nd: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, Library, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, 11:00 a.m.; Nursing home, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, 2:30 p.m.
Flat Mountain Girls (USA), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin

Sat. 23rd: Huck Notari (USA) with Little Ass Birds, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Flat Mountain Girls (USA), Baltimore, Co. Cork
Eilidh Patterson, Geraghty's Pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.30 p.m.; adm. free

Sun. 24th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 2:00 p.m.
Flat Mountain Girls (USA), McCarthy’s Pub, Dingle, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m. (with Huck Notari (USA))

Mon. 25th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, Baltinglass Hospital, Co. Wicklow, 11:00 a.m.

Tues. 26th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Bealtaine Festival, Blessington Library, Co. Wicklow, 11.30 a.m.

Wed. 27th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.
Flat Mountain Girls (USA), The Crane Bar, Galway city
Huck Notari (USA), De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 10.00 p.m.
Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare; tickets available from the hotel

Thurs. 28th: Huck Notari (USA), The Crane Bar, Galway city, 8.00 p.m.
Noreen & Bryan McGrane, United Arts Club, 3 Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2: old-time music concert with brief talk by Richard Hawkins, c.8.00 p.m.

Sat. 30th: Two Time Polka, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin. Doors 9.00 p.m. Adm. €10. Tel: 01 8721799

Sun. 31st: Two Time Polka, open air, mainstage on Custom House Quay, Dublin Docklands Maritime Festival. Kickoff 4.00 p.m.
Huck Notari (USA), Kenny’s Bar, Lahinch, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.

JUNE 2009

Fri. 5th-Sun. 7th: Coastline Bluegrass Music Event, Plas Uchaf Farm, near Llandudno Junction, north Wales

Sat. 6th: Launch party for 3rd Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Geraghty's Pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.: Tim Rogers and special guest, David Hope, the MacEvillys, Odi

Sat. 6th-Sun. 7th: 'Rural Ulster and American frontier weddings' (with old-time music and dance, 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. daily), Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Wed. 10th-Fri. 12th: Ry Cooder, Joachim Cooder, Flaco Jimenez, and Nick Lowe, Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2

Wed. 10th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.

Fri. 12th: Little Ass Birds, with Cathal McGeown (fiddle) and Allison Sleator, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €8
Niall Toner Band, Prison Love, McNeill Theatre, Larne, Co. Antrim; doors 7.45 p.m., £12 and concessions (as part of Larne Alive Festival)

Sat. 13th: Tumbleweed Love Sessions, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin @ 9.00 p.m.: Prairie Dawgs, Ciara Considine, Spirit Riders, Cujo Family, Ross Flanagan, €8

Sun. 14th: Uri Kohen on CRC FM, with the MacEvillys live in the studio

Sat. 20th: Carter Brothers (USA), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim; also on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio

Tues. 23rd: Carter Brothers (USA), RTE Radio 1, Dublin

Wed. 24th: Fair City Grass, Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6; 9.45 p.m.
Carter Brothers (USA), the Crane Bar, Galway city
I Draw Slow, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; 9.00 p.m. €10

Wed. 24th-Sat. 27th: International Bluegrass Music Museum's ROMP (River Of Music Party), Owensboro, KY: many great bands, Bluegrass Pioneers gathering, film shows, much more

Thurs. 25th: Carter Brothers (USA), Keogh's Folk Club, Longford town, Co. Longford
The Old Yellers (USA) plus the Sick & Indigent Song Club, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Fri. 26th-Sun. 28th: 3rd Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival: Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL), Rough Deal String Band, Tennessee Hennessees, Henry Girls, Stevie (UK)

Fri. 26th: The Wilders (USA), Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Sat. 27th: The Wilders (USA), Cork Midsummer Festival
Prison Love, Festival of Food, Fish & Fun! Spinnaker Bar, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, 10.00 p.m.

Mon. 29th: Carter Brothers (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 30th: Carter Brothers (USA), St John's Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

JULY 2009

Wed. 1st: The Wilders (USA), Wexford Arts Centre
Carter Brothers (USA), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Thurs. 2nd: The Wilders (USA), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Foyle's Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway, 8.00 p.m.
Carter Brothers (USA), Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare

Fri. 3rd-Sun 5th: 21st North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Conwy, north Wales

Fri. 3rd-Sun. 5th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Independence Day Weekend, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; daily from 2.00 p.m.

Fri. 3rd: The Wilders (USA), Black Box, Belfast

Fri. 3rd or Sat. 4th or Sun. 5th: Niall Toner Band, Dinn Ri, Carlow (TBC)

Sat. 4th: The Wilders (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Niall Toner Band, US Embassy, Dublin (private; TBC)
Two Time Polka, Rosslare Harbour Festival, Co. Wexford, the Marquee, Rosslare Harbour. Adm. €10. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.
Tennessee Hennessees, Hugh Lynch's, Tullamore, Co. Offaly (part of Hoedown Festival). Adm. €10 after 10.00 p.m.; free before 10.00
Fair City Grass, the Yacht Club, Howth, Co. Dublin: Dinner & Bluegrass music (private)

Sun. 5th: Niall Toner Band, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Co. Dublin, 1.00-5.00 p.m. (three sets)
Tennessee Hennessees, Hugh Lynch's, Tullamore, Co. Offaly (afternoon show; part of Hoedown Festival)
Two Time Polka, Murph's Bar, Strand St., Tramore, Co. Waterford. Adm. free. Kickoff 9.00 p.m. Tel. 051 386440

Mon. 6th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), house concert, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Tues. 7th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Mullingar Arts Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Wed. 8th: Fair City Grass, Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Geraghty's Pub, Westport, Co. Mayo
Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, Fergie's Bar, Market Square, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. €10

Thurs. 9th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Wexford Arts Centre

Thurs. 9th-Sun. 12th: Athy Bluegrass Music Association presents the 19th Athy Bluegrass Festival: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), 4 Wheel Drive (NL), Niall Toner Band (Sat., Sun.), Tennessee Hennessees (Fri.), and more; full programme details here

Sat. 11th: Prison Love, Goud’Acoustic Festival, Goudargues, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Mon. 13th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Tues. 14th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford

Tues. 14th-Thurs. 16th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Earagail Arts Festival, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Wed. 15th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Malone's Bar, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare

Thurs. 16th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), the Crane Bar, Galway city
Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Phoenix Folk Club, Downey's, Ballyfermot, Dublin

Fri. 17th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Barry's Bar, Grange, Co. Sligo (TBC)
Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Niall Toner Band, Eugene's Bar, Phoenix Festival, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 9.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Hugh Lynch's Bar, Phoenix Festival, Tullamore. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel: 057 9321227.
Tennessee Hennessees, Fergie's, Market St., Tullamore
John Spillane, Mill Times Hotel, Mill St., Westport, Co. Mayo; doors 9.00 p.m., show 9.30/9.45. €10

Fri. 17th-Sun. 19th: 2nd Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal (contact Patsy McGill, +353 (0)74-9537949, 087-6900714): Bluegrass Patriots (USA) (Sat.-Sun.), Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI) (Sun.), Woodbine, others TBA

Sat. 18th: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
Niall Toner Band, Bridge House, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 9.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Brewery Tap, High St., Tullamore. Adm. free. Kickoff 6.00 p.m. Tel: 057 9321131.
Two Time Polka, Dignan's, William St., Tullamore. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Tel: 057 9321771.
Tennessee Hennessees, Eugene's, William St., Tullamore

Sun. 19th: Niall Toner Band, Stephen's Green, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, JFK Dunbrody Festival, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Open air. Adm. free. Kickoff 7.00 p.m. Tel: 051 425239.
Tennessee Hennessees, Cosgrove's, High St., Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Mon. 20th: Bluegrass Patriots (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Mon. 20th-Tues. 21st: Gary Ferguson (USA) and Colin Henry (NI), recording in Athy, Co. Kildare

Thurs. 23rd-Fri. 24th: Jerry Harmon (USA), Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle, Co. Roscommon: storytelling and music (11.00 a.m. both days)

Fri. 24th: Molly Hicks (Ruth Dillon, Tom Hanway, Bernie O'Mahony, Peter Akerstrom, Paul Johnson), the Crane Bar, Galway city; upstairs, 9.30 p.m., no cover charge (as part of Galway Arts Festival)

Fri. 24th-Sun. 26th: KnockanStockan Independent Music Festival, Lacken, Co. Wicklow: multi-genre event including Little Ass Birds, Anthony Furey and the Young Folk Band, the Cotton Pickin Rodeo Clowns, Enda Reilly, Lisa O’Neill, NC Lawlor, the Cujo Family, the Prairie Dawgs, the River Valley Band, Tupelo

Fri. 24th-Mon. 27th: Phil Murphy Weekend, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford: Buffalo Gals (UK), many others
Two Time Polka, Ballinspittle Festival, Ballinspittle, Co. Cork. Open air. Adm. free. Kickoff 10.00 p.m.

Sat. 25th: Prison Love, Kinsale Arts Week: Charles Fort, Kinsale, Co. Cork, 7.00 p.m.

Sun. 26th: Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 4.00-7.00 p.m.

Wed. 29 July-Sun. 2 Aug.: European Bluegrass Festival, La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, France

Thurs. 30th: Two Time Polka, Lughnasa Festival, Community Hall, Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Adm. €20. Kickoff TBC.
Crooked Still (USA), Whelan's, Dublin

Fri. 31st: Crooked Still (USA), Feile Belfast 09
Two Time Polka, Tower Hotel, The Mall, Waterford city. Kickoff 10 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 875801


AUGUST 2009

Sat. 1st-Sun. 2nd: UTV Country Fest, Belfast: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, many others

Sat. 1st: Bluegrass on the Walls, Derry city, Niall Toner Band, Broken String Band, Knotty Pine String Band, Acoustic Grass, 1.00-4.00 p.m.; concert in the Junction with Josh Goforth (USA), Niall Toner Band, Broken String Band, 9.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, The Kazbar, John St., Waterford city. Open air, Kickoff 6 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 843730

Sun. 2nd: Two Time Polka, The Munster, Bailey's, New St., Waterford city. Kickoff 10.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 874656

Mon. 3rd: Two Time Polka, O'Flaherty's Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Kickoff 4.30-6.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 066 9151983.

Sun. 9th: Two Time Polka, Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford. Kickoff 4-6 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 053 24424
Tom Hanway & the Bluegrass Pals, Lynch's, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00-10.00 p.m.

Tues. 11th: Two Time Polka: fundraiser for Cope Foundation at Glebe Gardens, Baltimore, Co. Cork. Doors open 8 p.m. Adm. €20. For further information tel. 028 20232

Fri. 14th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Barry's, Grange, Co. Sligo; +353 (0)71 917 3111
Wookalily (all-women five-piece band), debut gig for new lineup in McHugh's Bar, 29-31 Queens Square, Belfast, 9.00 p.m.-1.00 a.m.; with Swell Time (western swing) and Tanya Strowger

Sat. 15th: Two Time Polka: fundraiser gig - 'Playing for Life' charity at An Tobar Bar, Ardmore, Co. Waterford. Kickoff 9 p.m. Adm. €10. Tickets at the door or in advance from Mary Lincoln at Adrmore Pottery. Tel: 024 94152
Jeff & Vida (USA), Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
Charlie McGettigan, Any Old Time (Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Mick Daly, (guitar, 5-string banjo, vocals), Dave Hennessy (accordion)), Clonaslee Heritage Centre, Clonaslee, Co. Laois, 8.30 p.m. (part of 'Music in the Mountains' at Clonaslee, 13-15 Aug.)
Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns, plus Well Enough Alone, Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin 2

Sun. 16th: Niall Toner Band, St Enda's, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Jeff & Vida (USA), Custom House Square, Belfast (Belfast Maritime Festival - Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge): afternoon and evening

Mon. 17th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Rodden's, Buncrana, Co. Donegal

Wed. 19th: Jeff & Vida (USA), St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Thurs. 20th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Geraghty's bar, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo

Fri. 21st: Jeff & Vida (USA), Crane Bar, Galway city (launch for Galway Americana Festival, 10-13 Sept.)
Two Time Polka, Lughnasa Festival, Briery Gap Theatre, Macroom, Co. Cork. Doors open 10.30 p.m. Adm. €10. Tel. 026 41793

Sat. 22nd: Jeff & Vida (USA), Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, TBC

Sun. 23rd: Niall Toner Band, The Hollow, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.
Jeff & Vida (USA), Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford

Mon. 24th: Jeff & Vida (USA), The Platform at Gleeson's, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Wed. 26th: TV3 Ireland AM: Jack Grace and Tom Hanway on air, 7.45 a.m.
Jeff & Vida (USA), Chief's, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Thurs. 27th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Keogh's, Longford town, Co. Longford
Well Enough Alone, Bewley's Theatre, Grafton St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m. (with Oil and Blood)

Thurs. 27th-Sun. 30th: 15th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford: Jack Grace Band (USA), Jeff & Vida (USA), Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Molly Hicks, Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns, Knotty Pine String Band, Little Ass Birds, Swingin' Blue Cats: full schedule here

Fri. 28th: Two Time Polka, O'Driscoll's Bar, Douglas, Cork. Kickoff 10 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4369387

Sat. 29th: Hayseed Dixie (USA), Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim
Two Time Polka, O'Driscoll's Bar, Douglas, Cork. Kickoff 10 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4369387
Prison Love & the North Strand Kontra Band: East meets West! Sugar Club, Leeson St, Dublin 2; doors 8.00 p.m. €10 (no pre-booking)

Sat. 29th-Sun. 30th: Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin: Rough Deal String Band, Prison Love, other Americana and much, much more

Mon. 31st: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Jeff & Vida (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork


SEPTEMBER 2009

Tues. 1st: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

Wed. 2nd: Sara Grey, Kieron Means, and Ben Paley, Acoustic World Music Club, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; venue TBA
Jeff & Vida (USA), Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh, Co. Down

Thurs. 3rd: Martha Scanlan (USA), Errigle Inn, Belfast
Jeff & Vida (USA), Crusoe's Coffee Shop, Castlerock

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: 18th Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone: Claire Lynch Band (USA), Dirk Powell (USA), Malpass Brothers (USA), Kenny and Amanda Smith (USA), Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/BE), Turquoise (France), Jeff & Vida (USA), Niall Toner Band (Sat., Sun.), Martha Scanlan (USA), many others, plus Appalachian dance, Bluegrass Camp for Kids, etc.

Fri. 4th-Sun. 6th: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, Gloucester, England

Fri. 4th: Sara Grey and Ben Paley, Geraghty's Pub, Westport, Co. Mayo
Martha Scanlan (USA), Bronte Centre, Rathfriland, Co. Down
Jeff & Vida (USA), house concert, Donaghadee, Co. Down

Mon. 7th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Rodden's, Buncrana, Co. Donegal

Tues. 8th: Jeff & Vida (USA), Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

Wed. 9th: Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), Tom Malone’s Marketplace Pub, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare

Thurs. 10th: Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
The Old Yellers (USA), the Living Room Sessions, with Al O'Donnell; Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Thurs. 10th-Sun. 13th: Galway Americana Festival, Galway city: Clive Barnes, Bill Evans & Megan Lynch, Erin McDermott & Doug Perkins, many others

Fri. 11th: Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, The Naul, Co. Dublin
Bill Evans & Megan Lynch, Galway city (TBA)
Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan, Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary; tickets (limited) 087 2238040
The Old Yellers (USA), Ryan's, Kilkenny city

Sat. 12th: Bill Evans & Megan Lynch: fiddle workshop, Galway Technical Institute (afternoon); Crane Bar, Galway city (evening)
The Old Yellers (USA), Lynham's, Laragh
Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), Colfer’s Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford (not 13 Sept. as originally announced)
Tumbleweed Love Sessions: Prairie Dawgs, Michael John; the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 13th: Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 6.00-8.00 p.m.
The Old Yellers (USA), The Bridge, Wicklow

Tues. 15th: Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Wed. 16th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare

Thurs. 17th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA): National University of Ireland, Galway (1.00 p.m.); Crane Bar, Galway (evening)
Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada), Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.
The Old Yellers (USA), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m. €10

Fri. 18th: The Old Yellers (USA), The Crane Bar, Galway city

Fri. 18th-Sun. 20th: Cornish Bluegrass Association Festival

Sat. 19th: The Old Yellers (USA), The Golden Ball, near Dublin

Sun. 20th: Well Enough Alone, Le Cirk Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, 32 Dame St., Dublin 2, c.7.30 p.m.

Mon. 21st: Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir (Canada), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork. Free, midnight. +353 21 427 8487
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Bowmac Bluegrass Company, 'Le Basement' at Le Cirk Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, 32 Dame St., Dublin 2, 9.15 p.m.; no cover charge

Tues. 22nd: Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir (Canada) with Prison Love, Crawdaddy, Dublin. €12/€15, 8.00 p.m. 0818 719300
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Wed. 23rd: Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir (Canada), Róisín Dubh, Galway city. €10/€12.50, 9.00 p.m. + 353 91 586 540

Wed. 23rd-Sun. 27th: 11th Coors Light Open House Festival, Belfast: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), many others

Thurs. 24th: Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir (Canada), Open House Festival @ the Spring & Airbrake, Belfast. £14, 7.30 p.m. 02890 327007
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork
Hot Seats (USA), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Thurs. 24th-Sun. 27th: 8th Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford town; lineup here (Niall Toner Band Sun. 9.30 p.m.)

Fri. 25th: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Hot Seats (USA), Wexford (venue TBC)
Niall Toner Band, Visual, Carlow (TBC)
Hubie & Sarah MacEvilly: Blue Grass Night, the Clock Tavern, High St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.
Cajun/Bluegrass Night with Knotty Pine String Band, Market Place Theatre, Armagh city; Cajun dinner 6.30 p.m., show 8.00 p.m.; tickets £12.75, £25 (incl. dinner)

Fri. 25th-Sun. 27th: Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, Scotland: Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa (USA), Janet Holmes & Colin Henry (NI), Broken Strings (NI), many more

Sat. 26th: Hot Seats (USA), Prison Love, 11th Coors Light Open House Festival, Belfast

Sun. 27th: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Balor Arts Center, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Mon. 28th-Sun. 4 Oct.: IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2009, Nashville, TN

Tues. 29th: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), School Show, Ennis, Co. Clare

Wed. 30th: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Dolans Pub, Limerick city


OCTOBER 2009

Thurs. 1st: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road, Galway city

Thurs. 1st-Sun. 4th: 30th Cork Folk Festival

Fri. 2nd: Niall Toner Band, Clarinbridge Arts Festival, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m.
Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Clarence Hotel, Wine St., Sligo town
The MacEvillys, Clew Bay Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo

Fri. 2nd-Sun. 4th: 1st Bruff Bluegrass Festival, Bruff, Co. Limerick: Niall Toner Band, Tennessee Hennessees, Bending the Strings, Molly Hicks and Woodbine; info from Michael Herbert (086 0638874)

Sat. 3rd: Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Two Time Polka, Cork Folk Festival, Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix St., Cork. Adm. free. 9.00 p.m.-11.00 p.m. Tel: 021 4278487.

Sun. 4th: The Bluegrass Brothers, GAA Club, Dalkey (lunchtime)
Red Stick Ramblers (USA), Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare
Carrivick Sisters (UK), Ards International Guitar Festival, Newtownards, Co. Down

Tues. 6th: Carrivick Sisters (UK), Westport Arts Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 8th-Sun. 11th: 30th Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Museum of Appalachia, Norris, TN

Fri. 9th-Sun. 11th: Johnny Crampsie Traditional & Bluegrass Music Festival Weekend, the Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone; Dalltach (traditional), Fri. 8.00 p.m.; talk on bluegrass, Sat. 2.00 p.m.; Woodbine, Sat. 8.00 p.m.; concert tickets £12 (£20 weekend ticket), other events (see BIB post of 12 Aug.)

Sat. 10th: Tupelo, with Little Ass Birds, Whelan's, Dublin 2

Sun. 11th: The Bluegrass Brothers, after 6.00 p.m. at the Jack of Diamonds Sessions in Le Cirk, 32 Dame St., Dublin 2

Tues. 13th: Carrivick Sisters (UK), The Old Oak, Cork city, 8.00 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Treacy's Folk Club, Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Adm. €12. Doors 8.30 p.m. Tickets available from Treacy's bar. Tel: 021 4875176.

Wed. 14th: James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards (folk-rock) (USA), Set Theatre, Langton's, Kilkenny; doors 8.30 p.m.

Thurs. 15th: Carrivick Sisters (UK), The Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, 8.00 p.m.

Fri. 16th: Two Time Polka, Henchy's Bar, St Luke's, Cork city. Adm. free. Kickoff 10 p.m. Tel. 021 4507833.
The Bluegrass Brothers, 12 midnight till 00.45, upstairs in Whelan's on Wexford St., Dublin 2

Sat. 17th: Carrivick Sisters (UK), Breffni Arms, Cavan town, Co. Cavan, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 18th: Carrivick Sisters (UK), Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.

Thurs. 22nd-Sun. 25th: Second Red Line Roots Festival, Smithfield, Dublin; Southern Tenant Folk Union (23rd), I Draw Slow (22nd), Blood Red Mountain Band (24th), Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns (23rd), Little Ass Birds (25th), much more

Fri. 23rd-Sun. 25th: Sore Fingers October Weekend, Kingham Hill School, Oxfordshire, England

Sat. 24th: Josh Ritter and the Love Cannon String Band (USA), Set Theatre, Langton's, Kilkenny; doors 8.30 p.m.
Two Time Polka, Cork Jazz Festival, McCarthy's Bar, Eden Hall, Model Farm Rd, Cork. Adm. free. 10.00 p.m.-midnight. Tel. 021 4346165
Woodbine, Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 8.00 p.m.
Well Enough Alone, Haven Hotel, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, 7.00 p.m.

Sat. 24th-Mon. 26th: Balla Bluegrass Weekend, Balla, Co. Mayo: The Molly Hicks, Woodbine (25th), the McEvillys, and Colonel Bullshot Bluegrass Band; info from Chris Mannion (094 9365093) or Tom Lyons (087 2296018; 094 9365200; e-mail)

Sun. 25th: Two Time Polka, Cork Jazz Festival, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork. Adm. free. 11.30 p.m.-1.30 a.m. Tel. 021 4291686
David Hope, Geraghty's, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo; free
The Molly Hicks, Cooke's Thatch Bar, Galway, 9.30 p.m.

Mon. 26th: Two Time Polka, Cork Jazz Festival, Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork. Adm. free. 5.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. Tel. 021 4291686.

Tues. 27th: The Molly Hicks, Pucan Bar, Galway, 9.30 p.m.

Wed. 28th: Mad Uncle Harry, Sheridan's Bar, Galway, 9.30 p.m.

Fri. 30th-Sat. 14th Nov.: Mozaik on tour in Ireland (see BIB post of 19 Oct.)

Fri. 30th: Mad Uncle Harry, Tully's, Kinvara, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 31st: Second Dangem Get-Together, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 9.30 a.m.-12.00 p.m.
Well Enough Alone, Sheary's, Crumlin, Dublin, 9.30 p.m.
Mad Uncle Harry, Neachtain's Bar, Galway, 9.30 p.m.


NOVEMBER 2009

Sun. 1st: Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals, Hugh Lynch's Pub, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m.

Tues. 3rd: Béla Fleck & the Flecktones (USA), University Concert Hall, Limerick city; box office 061-331549, info 087-281-7825

Wed. 4th: Niall Toner Band, and Peggy Seeger, Unitarian Church, Dublin
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones (USA), Vicar Street, Dublin

Thurs. 5th: Niall Toner Band, and Peggy Seeger, Dock Arts Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Well Enough Alone, supporting Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns upstairs at Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin
Mozaik, downstairs at Whelan's, Wexford St., Dublin

Sat. 7th: Mad Uncle Harry, Monroe's, Galway, 8.00 p.m.
Well Enough Alone, supporting Homebrew, Slattery's, Rathmines, Dublin

Sun. 8th: Captain Magic, the Cujo Family, Beef Supreme, Well Enough Alone, the Bluegrass Brothers featuring Tom 'Badbelly' Hanway, Nico Fitz a...nd the Dirty Beggars, the Pocket Aces, Brian Keary: Jack of Diamonds Session, upstairs at Le Cirk, Dame St., Dublin 2, from 9.00 p.m.

Mon. 9th: Woodbine, Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow, 9.00 p.m.

Wed. 11th: Mad Uncle Harry, Crane Bar, Galway, 9.30 p.m.

Thurs. 12th: Mad Uncle Harry, Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m.

Sat. 14th: Sick & Indigent Song Club: launch of programme for Winter Music Weekend 2010, Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
Tennessee Hennessees, Hayden's Bar, Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 15th: Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals, Hugh Lynch's Pub, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m.

Sat. 21st: Cat Malojian, supported by Baz McSherry, the Cobblestone, 77 King St., Smithfield, Dublin, 9.00 p.m.

Fri. 27th: Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, and Mick Daly: Leap Castle, near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
The Bluegrass Brothers at The Shed, behind King's Inns pub, Bolton St., Dublin 1, 8.00 p.m. [this show was cancelled and did not take place]

Sat. 28th: Dangem Monthly Bluegrass Get-Together, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 9.30 a.m.-noon; all welcome
West of Eden (Dublin folk band); Geraghty's, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo; free
Well Enough Alone, with the Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns and the Lazy Band, the Cobblestone, 77 King Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, 9.00 p.m.
Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, and Mick Daly: Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; €16

Sun. 29th: Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals, Hugh Lynch's Pub, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m.


DECEMBER 2009

Fri. 4th: Ben Reel; Geraghty's, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo; free

Sat. 5th: Niall Toner presents the first of a new series of 'Roots Freeway', RTE Radio 1, 11.00 p.m.

Sun. 6th: The Bluegrass Brothers, upstairs at Le Cirk, Dame St., Dublin 2, 6.00 p.m.

Wed. 9th: Buffalo in the Castle (combined old-time and Irish traditional music: Desi Wilkinson, Lena Ullman, Mairtin O'Connor, Frank Hall), the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin; doors 8.30 p.m.; €15

Thurs. 10th: Bending the Strings and Woodbine, the Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, 8.30 p.m.
The Bluegrass Brothers, Shebeen Chic, 4 George's St., Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m.

Sat. 12th: 'A Black Christmas': Coors Light Open House Festival Xmas bash, the Black Box, Hill St., Belfast, 8.00 p.m. till late; Peggy Sue, the Farriers, Gareth Dunlop, Lowly Knights DJs; £5

Sun. 13th: The Bluegrass Brothers, upstairs at Le Cirk, Dame St., Dublin 2, 6.00 p.m.

Mon. 14th: Final day for Dangem special offer on Deering banjos

Tues. 15th: Well Enough Alone, Bewley's Cafe Theatre (3rd floor above the cafe), Grafton St., Dublin 2, with Stefan Galt, 8.00 p.m.

Wed. 16th: RTE 'Nationwide', 7.00 p.m.; feature on Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival 2009

Thurs. 17th: Little Ass Birds EP CD launch, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 20th: I Draw Slow, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, 8.30 p.m.; €10

Tues. 22nd: Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens Christmas Concert, Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 7.15 p.m.; tickets from Daybreak in Ballymahon or 'phone 087 4152301

Wed. 30th: Two Time Polka, Grand Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Kickoff 11.15 p.m. Adm. free before 11.00 p.m. Tel. 064 6631159