Sessions, concerts and free outdoor shows at annual festival

There’s a great line-up of events for this year’s Galway Sessions Festival, running from June 12-19.

Performances will take place across the city, with a highlight being Lynched, who play Róisín Dubh on Tuesday, June 14. The Dublin quartet lit up the folk scene last year, following their appearance on Jools Holland and the release of their debut, Cold Old Fire. Their repertoire spans humorous Dublin music hall ditties and street songs,  ballads from the Traveller tradition, traditional Irish and American tunes and their own material. Doors 8pm, adm €17.50.

Julie Fowlis, from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, plays a free show on Mainguard Street on Friday, June 17. This spirited and sublime singer and piper will be joined by her band for the concert.

A Show Up & Show Off open-mic session will take place in the Foróige Youth Café, Fairgreen Road, on Saturday, June 18, at 8pm, offering the new generation a chance to shine.

This year’s Galway Sessions Festival celebrates the life and music of piper and republican Éamonn Ceannt, which will be highlighted in the closing event, a free concert in Eyre Square at 3pm on Sunday, June 19.  There will be a performance from the specially formed Éamonn Ceannt Quartet, comprising pipers Tommy Keane, Marion McCarthy, Peadar Giles and Cormac Cannon. There will also be songs from Don Stiffe, Éamon Ó Broithe and the excellent Greg Cotter.

More details on all events at galwaysessions.com.