January 16th–19th, 2014
www.wmw.ie

The Shannonside Winter Music Weekend has been going from strength–to–strength over the last few years, and next January’s event marks another step forward for this eclectic festival of the best in acoustic music. Between Thursday 16th and Sunday 19th January, almost 80 concerts, pub gigs, sessions, and shows will keep the villages of Sixmilebridge and Bunratty buzzing and bouncing with acts from far and wide, as well as the cream of local talent.

The Tin Sandwich Band lead a strong trad roster in a weekend that is always different, yet always a delight. The hugely popular High Plains Tradition from Colorado will provide bluegrass excellence, while La Compagnie Maribel from southern France bring their regional song, dance and costume for a very different experience. From Germany, Papirossi play a quirky mix of world music styles, and Rue du Canal deliver sublime Franco–Irish gypsy–folk. Gospel, Classical, even rockahillbilly music get a look in too!

Saturday sees Bunratty Folk Park hosting gigs on five different stages, while the pubs of Sixmilebridge resound to the best of sessions in jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass, as well as Irish. Another heaped helping of nourishing music and dance makes Sunday in Bunratty or Sixmilebridge more fun than you’d ever expect in Clare in the middle of winter.

From start to finish, this festival will charm, surprise, entertain and occasionally astound. No better way to shrug off the Winter blues.

Details on www.wmw.ie and also on facebook