Familiar and new faces as Country Sessions return

The annual Michael Commins’ Country Sessions return to Galway City this month and will be staged in the Clayton Hotel on Sunday and Monday, February 27 and 28.

Over 30 acts will be on stage over the two nights, with several artists making their debuts at the concerts. Headline acts on Sunday night include John Glenn, Tony Kerr, and Thomas McBride Junior, son of the legendary Big Tom. He will hold the Western launch of his debut album that night.

Dermot Hegarty will travel from England to celebrate a milestone birthday with audiences at The Clayton. Longford man Dermot had a series of Top 10 hits in the 1970s and topped the charts with the single, 21 Years.

Making her debut at the Country Sessions on Sunday night will be Rachel Goode from Ballinasloe (who featured in the recent Late Late Show Euro Song Night). So too will Aisling Rafferty (Tipperary), Thomas Maguire and Fhiona (Fermanagh), Eddie Gallagher (Donegal), Eunice Moran and Gavin Gribben (Down). Others taking part include Damian Davis, Barry Stewart (son of the late Gene), Caitríona Canavan (Carna), Lorraine McCauley (Donegal), Colie Cloran (Ardrahan) and the Ryan Turner Band.

On Monday night, Mick Flavin, Gary Gamble, John Hogan, Matt Keane, Tony Stevens and Olivia Douglas are among the headline acts.

This show will also feature Larissa Tormey, Mick Mulhern, Pat McKenna, Eddie Lee, Emma Donohue, Kilkerrin’s Richard Mulligan (a former Irish 5,000m and 10,000m champion as well as World silver medallist in the Masters’ 10k), Aoife Leonard (Clare), Pat Mulchrone (Mayo) and Ross Molloy (Laois), along with the Ryan Turner Band and guest musicians.

The popular afternoon sessions in the bar with Mick Mulhern and Friends will be held from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on both days, allowing patrons to ease into the mood of the weekend.

Tickets for the shows, in association with Tom Kelly Promotions, are €30 and are available from The Clayton Hotel (091 721900), Joyce’s Supermarket, Headford, Quinn’s Shop, Tuam, Smyth’s, Main St Claremorris, Castle Bookshop, Castlebar, Clarinbridge Post Office, Ticketmaster outlets and direct from Patsy on 086 1551841.