RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Christmas schedule is brim full of great music, particularly traditional music, from 23 December until the 3 January.

On Christmas Eve at 5 pm Nollaig na nDéise will include music from the all-male Waterford choir Cór Fear na nDéise.  Listeners can look forward to a selection of live concerts over the festive period recorded at Tionól Niocláis Tóibín in Waterford, Éigse Dhiarmuidín in Cork, Éigse an Spidéil in Connemara (Frankie Gavin, Brian McGrath, George Grasso, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Johnny Óg Connolly),South Sligo Summer School, and the NYAH in Cavan featuring Roscommon flute player Patsy Hanly, all presented by Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha on her show Ceol Binn ó na Beanna.

Consairtín, the Irish concertina convention, was held in Ennis in April, and on 26 December at 7 pm Áine Hensey presents the gala concert from the event, with musicians including TG4 Young Musician of the Year, Liam O’Brien from Miltown Malbay, with some of his family; Dave Townsend, the convention special guest for the weekend; and the Irish Concertina Ensemble – Tim Collins, Edel Fox, Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh, Cáitlín Nic Gabhann and Pádraig Rynne.

Listeners get another chance on Wednesday 27 December at 7 pm to hear the Siansa Gael Linn 2017 final concert, broadcast live from the National Concert Hall in April featuring 8 groups of young traditional musicians.  Dúchas from Corofin in Co. Clare took home the trophy, with Fiúntas from Co. Laois in second place, and Leoithne from Cork in third.

Jó Ní Chéide will be keeping it country on Christmas night with a special An Bóthar go Nashville at 9 pm which will bring us some of the best country songs of 2017, including music from John Hogan, Mick Flavin & Paddy O’Brien, Alan Jackson, Johnny Brady, Stuart Moyles), Miranda Lambert and Mike Denver.

On New Year’s Day at 8 am Cearbhall Ó Síocháin brings us a programme about the Lorient 2017festival, in particular the strong musical and cultural ties between Donegal and Scotland, and some of the musicians he spoke to for this programme include Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Manus Lunny, Séamus Ó Baoighill and Murray Willis.

Finally, Sinéad Ní Uallacháin will bring us the series Clasaicigh Ceoil over Christmas, at 1.30 pm in the afternoon, featuring a selection of classic hits, both old and new.