It's cosy by the fire at McLoughlin's in Achill.

Cosy Mayo pubs vie to host acoustic Hearth Session

A COSY FIRE has long been at the centre of an Irish winter. From cold winter nights spent socialising around the fireplace to the great Irish tradition of sharing music and craic around a roaring fire, the Bord na Móna Hearth Sessions are a celebration of those warmer winter moments with friends and family.

This year, Bord na Móna is set to ignite even more of these moments as they invite pubs with the cosiest firesides across the country to compete for the chance to host an intimate acoustic Hearth Session of their own and three pubs in Mayo have been shortlisted – Mellett’s Emporium in Swinford, McLoughlin’s in Achill, and Frayne's Bar in Ballyhaunis.

Now in its second year, the Hearth Sessions will feature a stellar line up of Irish talent, with Little Hours, Stephanie Rainey and Ye Vagabonds playing acoustic sets against the backdrop of a roaring Bord na Móna fire in the first week of December.

Supported by the Vintners Federation of Ireland, pubs across the country were invited to participate, heroing their own hearth, to host one of three, hotly anticipated Hearth Sessions.

Votes can now be cast on the Bord na Móna Fuels Facebook page up to November 20.

You can get behind the Mayo pubs and vote for your favourite to host a Hearth Session by visiting www.facebook.com/bordnamonafuels page and commenting below your pub’s image, telling why you think it would be the perfect place for an intimate fireside gig.

Once the social media comments have been counted, Bord na Móna will help the winning pubs to celebrate by hosting their very own Hearth Session. The winning pubs will depend solely on social media votes so make sure to get liking and voting to secure a Hearth Session in the cosy surroundings of your local.

Check out Bord na Móna Facebook page for more details on how to vote www.facebook.com/bordnamonafuels.