Martin Hayes very much at home at Feakle Festival

This week’s traditional music highlights

Cherish the Ladies: will perform in Listowel (Thursday August 10th) and at the Feakle Festival.

Sunday 6

Live In The Marquee

Your Man’s Bar, Ballyduff 8pm €15 dannyomahony.com

Danny O’Mahony: will lead a strong programme of performers to pay tribute to the late Nora Mai Rochford in Ballyduff on Sunday, August 6th.
Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill: will be performing at the Feakle Festival in Clare. Photograph: Erin Baiano

Box player and broadcaster Danny O’Mahony leads a strong programme of performers to pay tribute to the late Nora Mai Rochford, a Ballybunion singer and whistle player who influenced many singers and musicians in the locality. With the magnificent whistle player, Mary Bergin, singer/songwriter, Don Stiffe, guitarist and bouzouki player, Seán Earnest and singer/dancer/harpist, Séamus Ó Flatharta.

Tuesday 8

MacDara Ó Conaola with Pádraig Ó Broin

READ MORE

Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr 8pm €15/€10 099-75150

Inis Oírr sean nós singer, Ó Conaola airs songs from his wide repertoire, including his 2006 album The Love Token.  Tonight's concert will include a mix of unaccompanied and accompanied songs (with Pádraig Ó Broin on guitar and mandolin) embellished by humorous anecdotes and stories from his native island.

Wednesday 9

Feakle Festival

Various venues feaklefestival.ie (until August 14th)

Martin Hayes’ home place plays host to another intimate musical gathering, where the tunes reign supreme, and where musicians find the space to give full expression to their playing. Among this year’s guests are concertina players, Cormac Begley and Mary McNamara, fiddle player, Liz Kane, Joanie Madden and her band, Cherish The Ladies, the Raw Bar Collective and of course, Martin Hayes and his long-time playing companion, Dennis Cahill. Master classes,  dance workshops and poetry readings will sate many a thirst, while Saturday’s gala concert will lure Kerry singer, Seán Garvey to the fray.

Thursday 10

Cherish The Ladies

St John’s Theatre, Listowel 7.30pm €20 stjohnstheatrelistowel.com

Flute and whistle player and band leader, the irrepressible Joanie Madden, brings her all-female powerhouse band to the Kingdom for a one-off performance. With over three decades notched up on the road, Madden leaves little room for slouching amid the mix of tunes, dance steps, songs and virtuoso solo performances.