Various venues, Feakle, Co Clare Wed 3rd-Mon 8th 061-924917 feaklefestival.ie

While the rest of Clare is in recovery after the Willie Clancy Summer School, Feakle is flexing its musical muscle in anticipation of a fiery six days of concerts and sessions (as well as daily music workshops), all features of the annual Feakle Festival.

Concertina and fiddle player Niamh Ní Charra, fresh from the recording studio where she’s been exploring the Basque Irish connection for her new album (Ó Euskadí Go hÉireann), will brew up on Thursday’s official opening event, sharing top billing with Jigs and Jazz. Vocalist and former member of Anúna Eimear Quinn is the linchpin of Jigs and Jazz, a heady collaboration with Steve Cooney, Brendan Larrissey, Pat Collins and Drazen Derek.

Local hero Martin Hayes will be an abiding presence throughout the festival, where the eclectic guest list includes Theo Dorgan, Lumière, The Mary Staunton Band and Breanndán Begley with his family. Breaking boundaries and bottling that elusive ingredient that defines east Clare music.