A festival of Mayo singers and musicians in Castlebar

Two evenings of music celebrating singer-songwriters, folk and traditional musicians from Mayo will be held in Bridge St Bar, Castlebar, next month.

These intimate concerts under the banner of the Féile Bheag Music Festival will take place in the upstairs venue, while downstairs a session will be led on both evenings by the finest traditional musicians in Mayo. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.

On December 8, Graham Sweeney, a singer-songwriter from Achill Island, will perform his rhythmic vocal melodies, distinctive traditional guitar playing and percussive finger-tapping. Graham's debut album, I Am, was recorded in San Francisco, Berlin and Ireland.

Graham will be followed on stage by David Munnelly & Shane McGowan, who have been playing music together for nearly 20 years The pair decided to put the duo together more recently to promote their unique approach to traditional music alongside new compositions. David is from Belmullet and Shane comes from an area in south Sligo known as Lavagh.

Downstairs there will be a session with John Kilkenny and friends.

On December 9, Alannah Thornburgh, who was nominated for Best Emerging Artist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, will perform upstairs. Alannah has established herself as one of the most remarkable talents in the Irish harp world.

Her concert will be followed by a local singer-songwriter Breda Mayock, who will perform upstairs with guitarist Steve Cooney, bassist James Blennerhassett and percussionist Robbie Harris. She will perform songs from her recent album release.

Downstairs that evening there will be a session with John Ó Clochartaigh and friends.

Féile Bheag is part of the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme and is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and administered by Mayo County Council.