Kerry country launch

The Stretford End in Causeway, Co Kerry, is the venue on 4 March for the launch of Twilight Country, the new album from Ballyheigue singer Eddie Lee. Eddie is a well-established artist on the regional circuit in Munster and performs country shows with James Kelleher. He has released a number of albums over the years. He also runs his own Jenny Wren Studios in Ballyheigue. Eddie will be joined for his launch night by PJ Murrihy, Mike Fitzgerald, Noreen Ashe, Mike Condon, and the Two Mikes.

Big Tom for Claremorris guest spot

Country legend Big Tom will perform a guest spot on the Declan Nerney Weekend in the McWilliam Hotel in Claremorris on Friday night, 4 March.

Declan recorded The Ballad of Big Tom in 2014 and he recently featured at a fundraising show in Big Tom’s home village of Oram. Now Tom has agreed to make an appearance at the Friday night dance. Big Tom fans will be flocking to Claremorris for the event. It will be a case of Back to Castleblayney for Tom on Saturday as he heads home in time for the Mayo versus Monaghan game in his hometown on Sunday. Tom, who once played inter-county for Monaghan, is one of their most loyal supporters.

John Hannon Céilí in Sligo

The annual John Hannon Céilí will take place in Higgins’ Lounge, Culfadda, Co Sligo, on 18 March. Ann Sheppard tells us there will be dancing from 10pm to 1am with refreshments served. Admission is €10 and a warm welcome awaits all.

John is Limerick bound

The Greenhills Hotel on the Ennis Road in Limerick will feature some of the top names on the dancing scene over the coming weeks. The venue has had a long association with country dancing for many years and John McNicholl will launch the new series on Thursday, 10 March. The Derry man has a special fondness for the region and recorded Limerick You’re A Lady on one of his albums.

The following Thursday, St Patrick’s night, will see home county favourite Jimmy Buckley on stage. Declan Nerney with special guest PJ Murrihy will perform in The Greenhills on Thursday 24 March. The hotel is accessible from all the main routes and offers extensive parking.