Luka Bloom returns: The best trad music this week

Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrated in Dundalk, and humour and wit in the Teachers’ Club with Brian O’Rourke

Luka Bloom: The very embodiment of the folk singer
Luka Bloom: The very embodiment of the folk singer

Wednesday Mar 7

Éirí na Gréine

MacAnna Theatre, Dundalk IT

Coinciding with Seachtain na Gaeilge, and celebrating the launch of Dundalk Institute’s launch of its Irish language scheme, tonight’s concert will celebrate the rich gathering of traditional musicians and singers in DKIT. Based in the heart of Oriel, the event underlines the central role of the Irish language in the community and in the musical tradition of the region.

Friday Mar 9

Luka Bloom

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The Pavilion Theatre 8pm €20 paviliontheatre.ie

The very embodiment of the folk singer, Luka Bloom has that deep sense of social justice with an uncanny ability to distil contemporary life into the pithiest and most alluring combinations of lyrics and melody lines. Last year's album, Refuge, put a finger on the fractured nature of so much of what's happening in our world today, from homelessness to war to climate change. His voice is still as open and honest as it was over 30 years ago, and his guitar finds chord combinations that are all his own. Passion, playfulness and pause for thought: a hearty combination in any gig.

Brian O’Rourke

The Teachers Club, 36, Parnell Square 9pm €3 goilin.com

A gifted songwriter, known for his wit, but with a rare ability to wed humour with thought-provoking lyrics, O'Rourke returns to a club he's visited many times before. Tonight he will celebrate the launch of his new album, A Loaf In The Post.