October 7th – 9th, 2011
www.feilefrankmcgann.com

Strokestown will be buzzing this October when Féile Frank McGann enthusiasts get together to for this year’s Féile. Joining the Féile team for a great weekend’s entertainment will be top trad musicians such as Seamus Begley, Dave Sheridan, Fiachna O’Mongain, Seamus O’Mongain, Mick O’Brien, Geraldine Cotter, Joe Skelton, Suzanne Leahy, Micheal O’Raghallaigh, Danny O’Mahony, and a host to other musicians. The weekend, which has become an established event in the traditional music scene, will attract musicians and listeners from all over the Country and from further afield.
(more…)

September 29th –October 16th, 2011
www.dublintheatrefestival.com

The 54th Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival will run from September 29th – October 16th, 2011 and will include 28 shows in 25 venues, running over 18 days proving once again that Dublin loves Drama.

Each year the Festival gives audiences the opportunity to see many world class shows and enjoy unique Festival experiences as well retaining a commitment to supporting new Irish theatre. 2011 is no exception and features a wealth of exciting international and Irish work. Opening the Festival in the Gaiety Theatre is the spellbinding and breathtaking Donka, A letter to Chekhov, a dazzling feat of aerial acrobatics, multi-media illusion and circus magic.
(more…)

September 23rd – 25th, 2011
www.johnnydohertyfestival.com www.ardara.ie
Following on from the huge success of last years festival which brought people from all over the world to the scenic town of Ardara the organisers are confident of a successful weekend again this year. The organisers hope to provide something for everyone to enjoy, with Concerts, Céilís, Barn Dances, Sean nos, Set Dancing, Workshops, Pub and Street Sessions. The Opening Concert is Fidil on Friday the 23rd at 8:30pm in the Beehive Bar. Céilí & Sets with Emerald Céilí Band at 10:00pm – 1:00am in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel.
(more…)

www.seanacdhonncha.ie

On October 1st–2nd next, friends and fans of the well-known Sean-nós singer from Carna, Connemara, Seán ‘Ac Dhonncha - or “Johnny Joe Pheatsín” as he was otherwise known – will descend on Ahascragh, a small, picturesque village in East County Galway, Sean’s homeplace for over thirty five years. On this special, inaugural Tribute Weekend, musicians and singers from all over Ireland will travel to honour Seán’s legacy and to celebrate his life and singular contribution to Irish language and culture.
(more…)

November 1st–4th, 2011
Music Network courses for performing musicians
www.musicnetwork.ie

Music Network is currently seeking applications from Irish and Ireland-based professional musicians and composers interested in participating in Making Overtures. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 26th September, 2011 at 5pm.
(more…)

Christy Moore with Declan Sinnott Songs For Somalia, is a benefit for Concern’s East Africa Crisis Appeal. It will be held in Vicar Street, Dublin on September 26th, 2011 and with all proceeds from the concert will be donated to Concern’s East African Crisis Appeal. Concern Worldwide is one of the few aid agencies who operate in Somalia.  The country is being devastated by the worst drought in 60 years, affecting 10 million people.

www.bitsnpieces2011.com

The eagerly awaited debut fiddle album entitled Bits ‘N’ Pieces by Dónal McCague is out in shops now. Dónal is a Monaghan native and comes from a great musical stronghold of Rooney’s and McCague’s. On this debut, Dónal is joined by Michael McCague (At the Racket, At First Light), Brian McGrath and Johnny Ringo McDonagh (both De Danann). The album consists of 15 beautifully constructed tracks with the most “sympathetic accompaniment”.
(more…)

Aoife Ní Argáin from Sutton, Co. Dublin winner of the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Harp Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan recently. Aoife and Michael Rooney were the two harp tutors at this year’s Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshanbo in July. In October Aoife will be performing at venues accross Ireland for two weeks with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on its annual Macalla na hÉireann tour.

www.comhaltas.ie

Once again Comhaltas will bring over a group of excellent musicians to the USA for their annual autumn Echoes of Erin tour. This time round there are 14 musicians in the party who will give performances in such places as New York, Cincinnati and Kansas City. The musicians come from the Republic and the UK, surprisingly there are no musicians from branches in the six counties. You can get a taste of the tour at their Farewell to Ireland concert on Sunday October 9th in Dublin’s Cultúrlann na hÉireann.
For more details please email: eolas@comhaltas.ie  or Telephone: 01-280 0295

Andy Irvine & Paul Brady
Vicar Street, Friday, November 11th and Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Billed as “A momentous occasion for Irish music, these concerts will have the two great musicians reunite to recreate the magic of their eponymous self-titled 1976 album on Mulligan Records and the work they collaborated on within Planxty in the mid-1970’s.” Back in 1976, Brady and Irvine recorded an album of traditional tunes and folk songs that was destined to become one of the most enduring folk recordings of the last three decades. Just like the songs contained within it “Andy Irvine and Paul Brady” is a musical document that has been handed down from generation to generation and magically sounds as fresh today as it did then. It is an essential work borne in one of the great fertile periods of Irish music and includes Paul Brady’s definitive version of Arthur McBride and Andy Irvine’s soaring opener Plains of Kildare.
(more…)