The Mick Flavin and Friends Weekend takes place in Breaffy House Hotel near Castlebar, from 3 to 5 October. Mick and his band will launch the celebrations at 10pm on Friday, while Johnny Brady and his band provide another two hours of dancing after midnight. Shaun Loughrey and band, and Mick and the lads are on stage on Saturday night. An afternoon dance with Mick will bring the festivities to a close. For further details, see mickflavin.com

Country legend Brian Coll is home in Omagh after a recent health scare. Brian was taken to Enniskillen Hospital before being transferred to Belfast for further tests. He is held in very special regard by many people in country music. We wish Brian a full and speedy recovery.

Geraldine Reddy, together with Noreen and Jerome, provided some great entertainment on the opening day of the Ploughing. Keep an eye and ear out for Kinfolk in the months ahead.

Danny Webster was in fine form at the Laois Ploughing village stand in Ratheniska last week. The Kilkenny man provided some very enjoyable music as well as singing many old favourites. Maureen Culliton from Ballyfin did a great job at the set dancing as well.

A special thanks to all the regular readers of Country Sound who dropped by to say hello at the Irish Farmers Journal stand at the Ploughing in Laois. They included: John and Teresa Gee from Castleisland; Matt and Joan Duffy, Castletown, Navan; Conor O’Donovan, Cork; Tommy Hennessy, Cill, Co Waterford; Eddie and Ann Egan, Ferbane; Maura and Marie Walsh, Ballykeeran, Athlone; Michael and Margaret McEvoy, Spink, Abbeyleix; and Pat Casey, Crossmaglen, to mention just a few. Keep it country folks.