TEMPLE BAR TRAD FESTIVAL:Following the rousing success of last year's festival, this year's event ramps it up with a strong programme on January 25th-28th including Lúnasa, Dervish, Peter Horan, Ronan Browne, Cathal McConnell and Kevin Glackin.
CHRIS WOOD
One of English folk music's true originals is planning a long-overdue five-date tour, which kicks off in Thurles, Co Tipperary on March 21st and concludes in the glorious confines of Airfield House in Dundrum, Co Dublin on March 29th. Expect a healthy mix of material from his sublime recording, The Lark Descending, as well as a whisper of some of his newer material, as Wood is working on a new CD on Ruf records, slated for a summer release. www.englishacousticcollective.co.uk
JIMMY O'BRIEN MORAN, DERMOT MCLAUGHLIN AND PAUL MCGRATTAN
Na Píobairí Uileann's sessions are legendary, and this pipes/fiddle/flute trio will keep the bar high. A rare chance to catch Donegal fiddler (and CEO of Temple Bar Trust) McLaughlin in full swing. The Cobblestone, Dublin, February 9th, www.pipers.ie
SCOIL CHEOIL
The second spring school will host workshops and concerts featuring the magnificent Boston-Irish box player Joe Derrane, The Campbell fiddlers from Donegal, singer Seán Garvey and the piping McKeon clan (Gay, Conor and Seán). An Earraigh, Ballyferriter, February 21st-25th, www.scoilcheoil.com
PIERRE BENSUSAN
Virtuoso French guitarist with a significant following across the country, returns for a whirlwind 9-date tour, kicking off in Limerick's Dolan's Warehouse on March 1st and winding up in the Seamus Ennis Centre, The Naul on March 10th. www.seamusenniscentre.com
CHORD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Multicultural festival (March 14th-19th) aims to reflect the diversity of cultures in the population of Ennis. The "guitar across genres" is the theme of the festival, which will feature John Williams, Lui Fang and Mali musician Habib Koite, among others. Sarah McQuaid will host a workshop exploring the role of guitar in Irish music, with Steve Cooney and many other guitarists. www.glor.ie
