The Macrae Sisters in Ireland, 30 July-7 Aug. 2012

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that just as the Athy Bluegrass Festival is ending on 15 July, a fresh old-time band from the inexhaustible hotbed of Oregon, USA, will begin a tour in these islands - the Macrae Sisters, described by one reviewer as 'a force of nature in the Northwest's old-time scene'.

Their first date in Ireland, on Mon. 30 July, will (of course) be in the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Ireland's welcoming hug for many visiting bands. (The Red Room last night hosted Viper Central from Canada, whom the Macraes will be supporting in Bath on 18 July).

The next confirmed dates they have are in Belfast on 3 Aug. (an Open House concert), at the Liss Ard Festival in Skibbereen, Co. Cork, on 5 Aug., and at St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, on 7 Aug. The intervening dates are free at present, so if you know of or can offer the Macraes an opening, contact their agent Alan at Owlsworld (Facebook).