KEVIN CRAWFORD, Beóga, Dermy Diamond, and Kathleen Loughnane are among those who will play The Galway Sessions, the annual festival of Irish trad, from Sunday June 12 to Sunday 19.
The Sessions are the brainchild of The Crane Bar’s Mick Crehan who is both passionate about Irish music and the links between Ireland and Scotland, so it is no surprise to see Scotland’s Kinlochard Ceili Band open the festival on Sunday 12 at 9pm with a free show.
It’s off to Northern Ireland next with Co Down flautist and Belfast fiddler Dermy Diamond playing on Monday 13. Admission is free.
Flute and fiddle enthusiasts will be delighted to know of a second gig featuring both instruments on Tuesday 14 at 9.30pm with Roscommon flautist John Wynne and Birmingham fiddler John McEvoy. Both men play music in the north Connacht style. Admission is free.
Lúnasa flute player Kevin Crawford will take to the stage on Wednesday 15 at 9.30pm where he will be joined by fiddler Tony Linnane and Mick Conneely on fiddle and bouzouki. Admission is free.
Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich, the great Kerry singer, and Galway based Kathleen Loughnane, one of the coutnry’s finest harpists, join forces as Mná Mná and they play on Thursday 16 at 9pm. Admission is €10.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Beóga are “the best new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century”. If you want to hear and decide for yourself you have two chances as Beóga play on Friday 17 and Saturday 18. Both gigs start at 9.30pm and admission to each is €12.50.
All shows take place in The Crane Bar. For more information and tickets contact The Crane on 091 - 587419 or see www.thecranebar.com
