www.rte.ie/rnag
As hordes of musicians and music fans make their way to Miltown Malbay for the annual Willie Clancy Summer School, they should keep an eye out for the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s roadcaster, An Ródaí, which will also be making its way to west Clare for the week.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta has been supporting the Willie Clancy Summer School since its very first year in 1973, and continues to do so this year.  They will be broadcasting all week from the heart of Miltown, bringing listeners live music, interviews, and a taste of the wonderful atmosphere of this very special week in July.
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Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, February 19th – 23rd, 2014
www.thegathering.ie

The Gathering Traditional Festival returns from February 19th – 23rd, 2014 for its celebratory 15th anniversary year. With a finely tuned mix of concerts, céilís, workshops and sessions The Gathering, has been the highlight of the Irish cultural calendar for trad musicians and céilí dancers alike since its inception way back in 1999.

Showcase Concerts
In association with Culture Ireland, the Showcase Concerts give new and emerging trad performers the opportunity to perform in front of festival organisers and agents from right across Europe. If you are interested in showcasing please contact festival organiser John O’Shea for more details.
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www.tradweek.com
www.fleadhcheoil.ie

The students from Meitheal 2013 will re–unite for a special performance at Fleádh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry on August 16th, just after Scoil Éigse. Meitheal Orchestra & guests will perform an hour–long webcast the highlights of which will also be broadcast on TG4. The location will be the historic and picturesque Guild Hall.

With the Meitheal Orchestra, the event will feature Martin and Kavan Donohoe, Garry Shannon, Ernestine Healy and more.
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www.webanjo3.com

We Banjo 3 are to play two major gigs in Dublin this July. On Thursday July 11th they play the prestigious Steeple Sessions at Stephen’s Green, including masterclasses that day. Then on July 18th, We Banjo 3 are one of the headliners for WoodSongs Old Time Hour, a live show broadcast from Dublin’s National Event Centre via Kentucky to over 1 million listeners on 500 radio stations worldwide. Other acts on the night include Paul Brady, Mary Black and Niall Toner. This is a huge opportunity for a band that has been receiving rave reviews for their innovative and virtuosic  exploration of the musical heritage of Ireland and America.

For further information visit the website www.webanjo3.com

www.alankellygang.com

Alan Kelly Gang are: Alan Kelly (piano accordion), Steph Geremia (flute, whistle & vocals), Tony Byrne (guitar & vocals), Maureen Browne (fiddle)

Reaping the rewards of recently adding their name to the roster of prestigious North American agency, Folklore Productions, the Alan Kelly Gang will hit the dusty mountain roads of Western and Central Canada this July and August. Putting in festival appearances at some of Canada’s most prestigious folk festivals including Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival and Vancouver Folk Music Festival, this will mark the start of their North American presence. March 2014 will see them return back over the Atlantic for concerts in Central and Eastern USA, for their first stateside tour.
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www.mariannegreen.com

Marianne Green first entered the Irish music scene with her debut album Dear Irish Boy. The album was recorded at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Colum Sands’ studio Spring Records, in Rostrevor. Now she returns to Rostrevor to play at the Fiddler’s Green International Festival.
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www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com

The dust in Kenmare, Co. Kerry has finally settled after their first “Féile Neidín” trad festival, the general consensus by organizers/ musicians and attendees being that it was a huge success and roll on next year! The event was blessed by beautiful weather on the Friday and Saturday which made the Trad Session boat trips on Kenmare bay idyllic, those lucky enough to have gone out on the Saturday were treated to an on–boat performance by Caladh Nua who were the main Band in the Carnegie Arts Centre on the Friday night.
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www.arcmusic.co.uk

Legendary celtic band Clannad have announced a partnership with ARC Music for their new album. Scheduled for release in September 2013, this new album will be the band’s first album of new material since 1998’s Grammy–winning Landmarks, and the first with the full original line–up since 1989’s Past Present.

Clannad – siblings Moya, Ciaran and Pol Brennan, and their twin uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan began recordings for their as–yet untitled new album in April. Pol had previously left Clannad following the release of Past Present, but returned to the band in 2011 to perform a special concert at Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral, which was released on CD and DVD early in 2013, also through ARC Music. The reformed line–up have been touring globally over the last several months and are planning an even more extensive worldwide tour to coincide with the release of the new album.
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October 11th – 13th, 2013
www.Feilefrankmcgann.com

Despite the continuing austerity, anticipation is building for Féile Frank McGann 2013, which will be held in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon on October 11th, 12th, and 13th. While plans are being finalised, an exciting line–up of artistes, workshops, recitals and other events is promised for the weekend.

This niche festival, described by many as one of the best in the Country, has maintained a constant standard that others have sought to attain.
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November 7th – 10th, 2013
www.irishfestival.dk
Copenhagen Irish Festival is a yearly treat for Irish music enthusiasts, presenting the legends, the hip and the up–and–coming bands and all during one weekend in November. Over the years Copenhagen Irish Festival has helped launch many Irish bands start an international career.

Bands such as Altan, Dervish, Danú, Gráda and Caladh Nua all had some of their first concerts abroad at the festival.  Also the well–established play a prominent part of the festival program, like last year Sharon Shannon and Paul Brady. This year the festival marks its 35th anniversary. There will be concerts from Thursday through Saturday as well as the popular jam sessions and the ever growing Sunday Céilí.

All the action takes place right in the heart of Copenhagen in the locations of recent years, Den Brune Kødby. The festival is looking forward to announcing the 2013 program shortly and welcomes visitors from home and abroad.

For further information visit the website www.irishfestival.dk

facebook.com/copenhagen.irish.festival