Linda Ortega for Irish shows

Canadian country singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega is coming to Ireland. She will perform in the Róisín Dubh in Galway on Thursday 14 January, The Grand Social (Lower Liffey Street) in Dublin on Friday 15 January and the Belfast Empire Music Hall on Saturday 16 January.

The Toronto singer released her latest album, Faded Gloryville, to much acclaim in August. In 2014, she was nominated for two Canadian Country Music Association Awards – female artist of the year and roots artist of the year.

Born in 1980, Lindi spent a decade or so working the local scene in the Toronto region. She now resides in Nashville. Various musical genres have played their role in guiding her to where she is today. In 2011, she toured as a back-up singer for Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, in support of his solo album, Flamingo. Shades of Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton emerge in her more recent works. Another album, Cigarettes and Truckstops, certainly conveys a lady with a fondness for the country roads. The support act for the show in Dublin is Jordan Klassen.

• Tickets cost €15 incl. booking fee.

Sam O’Doherty show on Irish TV

One of Tipperary’s best-known entertainers, Sam O’Doherty, is the guest on The Half Door, a new six-part series on Irish TV Sky 191. The show airs on Sunday 10 January at 8.30pm. It is repeated at 11pm on Thursday 14 January. The Half Door features some well-known people from various walks of life and is a 30-minute show set in the home of the guests. The shows provide a unique insight into the lives of the chosen guests.

Carriage Drivers night in Ballymena

The annual carriage drivers benefit night will be held in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena on 14 January. The proceeds from this year’s concert are in support of Spina Bifida, Ballymena, and Crocus, Galgorm. Those taking part in the show include Billy McFarland, Kevin Hughes, Fiddler Adam, Irene Bates, Michael Mawhinney, Owen McVeigh, John Rafferty, John Porter, and the Steve Farlowe Duo. Gary Wilson is compere for the night.

Foster & Allen ruby tour

Westmeath duo Foster and Allen, along with their band, are currently in the middle of a short Irish tour to mark their 40th anniversary on the circuit. Mick and Tony will undertake a number of major tours throughout 2016 but fans here at home can catch them in concert in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, on 7 January; Loughrea Hotel, Co Galway, on 8 January; Park House Hotel, Edgeworthstown, on 9 January; and at Tradfest, Dublin Castle, on 31 January.

Royal country from Noel

Noel Flynn has always been a country boy at heart. The Meath man has just released his fourth album, My Time With You. It is a nice blend of American and Irish country with some new songs mixed in among the classics. Irish writers who have their songs featured here include Enda Duffy, Eugene Cunningham, Frank McLaughlin, Mary Gordon (Limerick) and the late Maurice Soye. The amazing influence of the late Johnny McCauley, the father of the country and Irish song-writing genre, is reflected here with the inclusion of Where The Grass Grows The Greenest.

“I have been truly lucky enough to have worked with some of the industry’s finest musicians and engineers,” says Noel. “I offer a huge thanks to you all. Your talents are much appreciated.”

Musicians featured here include David Arkins, Glen Flynn, Pat Murray and Joe Murray, with backing vocals by Danny Sheerin and Nigel Connell. For more information, visit www.noelflynnmusic.com