Traditional music fans in Sligo will have cause to be in high spirits over the next week as the town hosts three days of free concerts by some of the best bands in the State.
The event is being held thanks to TG4 and the Donegal-based production company Scannain Dobharchu, which is making an eight-part music series.
Bands and musicians taking part include Dervish, Danu, Lunasa, Calica, Mike McGoldrick and Dezi Donnelly, Na Doirse and the Liz Doherty Band.
The sessions will be held at the Factory Performance Space over three days from Sunday to Tuesday, in the afternoon and evening.
Associate producer Mary McPartlan said 16 bands were taking part, and the idea was to create a "club-like atmosphere" in the newly refurbished Factory venue. She warned those with tickets to turn up on time as there will be no admission after recording starts. People looking for tickets should contact 07532185 or Fureys pub in Sligo, which is owned by members of Dervish.
"There is great excitement around this - the musicians themselves are excited to be all meeting up and you can be sure there will be informal sessions every night afterwards in Fureys," she said.
The series will be broadcast on TG4 after Christmas. Each programme will also include profiles of young musicians and videos of leading bands.