Apart from the drummers, who open the festival in the tarmacadam-ed plaza of the Black Box carpark (Monday 13th, 9.30 p.m. (see page 1), the only real exponents of world music in the programme are the Irish-based percussion outfit, (Roisin Dubh, Monday 20th, 9 p.m.), here hosting a few West African guests, including Mousa Camara, founder of the Gambian dance troupe, Fatala.

An elder statesman among Irish balladeers, Andy Irvine graces the Rois in Dubh (Wednesday 15th, 9 p.m.), although by current form, it would help if the noise level in the pub were kept down while he concentrates on juggling complex mandolin fingerings, blues harp and his long, melodic, singing lines. On the pure music side of things, another regular at the festival is Clare-born fiddler Martin Hayes (now resident in Seattle). The drowsy, seductive lilt of his style will be gently supported by guitarist Dennis Cahill for a quiet gig at the Town Hall (Wednesday 22nd, 10 p.m.).

Less well-worn on the ears will be the pulled-together session outfit of the Cathal Heyden Band (Roisin Dubh, Monday 13th, 9 p.m.), led by the great, eponymous Four Men and a Dog fiddler, and featuring the bright young piano accordion player, Alan Kelly.

Another one to watch for is (Town Hall, Sunday 19th, 8 p.m.), a New York-based group made up of some impressive individual parts: the very sweet lead vocals of Karan Casey, backed by flautist Seamus Egan, fiddler, Winifred Horan and, on button accordion and concertina, John Williams.

Jazz and blues are catered for, respectively, by Available Jelly (Black Box, Friday 17th, 10.30 p.m.), a festival troupe from Amsterdam, and the husky baritone, country blues of Kelly Joe Phelps, a man who plays the slide guitar flat across his lap like a Dobro.