Doolin Folk Festival
10-12 June: Doolin Folk Festival aims to bring back to Doolin any folk and traditional musicians who have had a connection with the area over the years. Taking inspiration from the great festivals of the past, this gathering will provide an intense musical experience. Though you’re tucked away in the magical atmosphere of west Clare, you’ll be whisked off by great artists on a musical journey through time, style and culture. The festival features big names such as Jerry Fish, Wallis Bird and Finbar Furey, among many more.
Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival
10-12 June: The Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival promises three days of the best local, national and international folk and bluegrass music in the unique surroundings of Westport, Co Mayo. This year will mark the festival’s 10th anniversary and will offer the most impressive programme to date. The festival’s main shows will take place in the newly rebuilt Town Hall Theatre and the amazing Holy Trinity church, as well as at least nine more venues. The festival line-up will include one of the United States’ top old-time bands – The Foghorn String Band – along with one of Europe’s leading bands, Red Wine. For more information, see www.westportfolkadnbluegrass.com
Gavin James
10 June: Having supported acts such as Kodaline, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran the Dublin born artist is now firmly standing on his own two feet as he plays live at the Marquee in Cork. Having only recently won the Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year in March for his single Bitter Pill this raw talent’s live shows are both powerful and intimate. The back drop of the Marquee is sure to make the concert even more special. Tickets are €28. For more information see www.ticketmaster.ie
Howth Literary Arts Festival
10-12 June: The Megalithic Howth Cromlech of 2,500 BCE is situated in the grounds of Howth Castle and has inspired countless works of Irish art throughout the ages. From the poetry of Samuel Ferguson to the illustrations of the Book of Kells, experience how this ancient tomb has left its mark on Ireland’s contemporary writings. The festival features the very best in Irish and international contemporary writing where you can enjoy drama, cultural history talks, visual arts displays and more. For more information, see www.howthliteraryfestival.com
Telling stories
9 June: Waterford Youth Arts presents Telling Stories, a night of sharing tales from workshops in film, dance, creative writing, song and drama. All the work you will see has been created by the young people with their tutors. Tickets cost €6 and the show starts at 7.30pm. Visit www.garterlane.ie or call (051) 855038.
Turas
11-12: Experience some excellent hard shoe Irish dancing, along with musicians on fiddle, piano, percussion and accordion, at Siamsa Tire in Tralee, Co Kerry. The show starts at 8.30pm and tickets cost from €27.50. Visit www.siamsatire.com or call (066) 7123055 for bookings.
Des Bishop
10 June: Des Bishop brings his brand-new stand-up show, Grey Matters, to Dublin’s Vicar Street in a move to extinguish the fantasy of everlasting youth and embrace the wisdom that comes with the older years in life. Experience the Irish-American comedian tackle issues prevalent in his life today, such as returning to live in New York, being surrounded by other people’s kids, gender and marriage equality, the dangers of Snapchat, dating a Chinese woman and the prospect of reaching 40. Tickets are €28. For more information see www.vicarstreet.ie
Connacht
Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, Sun 12th June, Patrick Feeney
Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park, Sat 11th June, Jimmy Buckley
Leinster
Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow, Thurs 9th June, Jimmy Buckley
Kilkenny: Pilltown, Pilltown GAA Complex, Sun 12th June, The Images
Kilkenny: Rhu Glen, Sat 11th June, Martin Kearney & Art Supple
Louth: Dundalk, Lisdoo Arms, Sat 10th June, Gerry Guthrie
Meath: Navan, Ardboyne Hotel, Mon 13th June, Patrick Feeney
Westmeath: Moate, The Well, Fri 10th June, Robert Mizzell
Munster
Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, Fri 10th June, Stephen Smyth
Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, Wed 15th June, Breakway (Ex Southern Beat)
Clare: Ennis, West County Hotel, Sun 12th June, Mike Denver
Tipperary: Newport, Aherns, Sat 11th June, Tom Healy
Tipperary: Ballina, Roundhill, Sat 11th June, Sun 12th June,
Tipperary: Thurles, Premier Ballroom, Sun 12th June, Dave Rae
Limerick: Limerick, Greenhills Hotel, Thurs 9th June, Michael English
Limerick: Adare, Woodlands Hotel, Sun 12th June, Jimmy Buckley
Ulster
Tyrone: Omagh, Mellon Country, Fri 10th June, Barry Kirwan
Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, Sat 11th June, Mike Denver
Monaghan: Castleblayney, Glencarn Hotel, Fri 10th June, Mike Denver
Monaghan: Monaghan, Four Seasons Hotel, Sun 12th June, Gerry Guthrie
Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, Sat 11th June, Jim Devine
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