Roni Stoneman in Ireland, May-June 2016

As announced by the BIB on 10 Jan. and 11 Jan., the First Lady of Bluegrass Banjo, Roni Stoneman (USA), will return to Ireland in just over two months' time, and the month-long tour schedule is now essentially complete.

Basically a friendly visit, it includes more shows than on her previous trip in 2013, allowing bluegrass enthusiasts in all four provinces more than one chance of seeing, hearing, and meeting this legendary musician and entertainer. Plans are also afoot for video interviews with her, including a production designed for BBC NI TV.

Roni and her husband Tom Connor will be accompanied on this trip by guitarist and singer Bill Biber - from Long Island, NY, and now based in Nashville, TN.* Tom designed the poster image (above) and is ready to produce customised versions of it for any individual venue. Contact Tom by e-mail.

*Update 21 Mar.: We learn with regret that Bill will be unable to come on the tour, as his mother's health will require his constant presence.

The schedule is:

May
Thurs. 26th: Guest spot, The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin 14, adm. free

Sat. 28th: In concert, Clarinbridge Parish Hall, Co. Galway (as main event of 4th Clarinbridge Banjo Gathering), 9.00 p.m.

June
Fri. 3rd: In concert, Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.

Sat. 4th: Guest spot, Carberry's (Tí Chairbre), 11 North Strand, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Fri. 10th-Sun. 12th: Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo: in concert, Matt Molloy's yard bar, Sun. 12th, Bridge St., 5.00 p.m.

Fri. 17th: In concert, 'Bluegrass Evening', Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, Co. Antrim (presented by the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Cultural Group; all welcome)

Sun. 19th: In concert, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m., £10

Thurs. 23rd: In concert, St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry (with Hank Wedel and Ray Barron)

Sat. 25th: Private party at Rockies GAA Club, Blackrock, Cork city

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

Further details of times and admission will be posted as soon as they become available. Meanwhile, thanks to Uri Kohen, director of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, for sending a treat that was posted on Facebook recently by Jeff Burke (formerly of Jeff & Vida) - a clip from TV of the Stonemans c.1967, playing 'Cripple Creek', showing Roni with her sister Donna (mandolin), brothers Van (guitar) and Jimmy (bass), and Jerry Monday (dobro).