Five For Your Radar: Biig Piig, The Script, Bantry writers... 

West Cork Literary Festival has also kicked off 

L-R: Cork singer Biig Piig, Danny O'Donoghue of The Script

Album: Olafur Arnalds & Talos - A Dawning 

Friday, July 11 

One of three posthumous releases promised for Talos, A Dawning is a nine-track collaborative project by the Icelandic musician Arnalds and the late Cork artist Eoin French. Having bonded at Sounds from a Safe Harbour in Cork in 2023, they worked closely on this music in the final months, weeks, and days of French’s life. It’s an emotional and essential listen.

Concerts: The Script, Wolfe Tones 

Thomond Park, Limerick, Friday-Sunday, July 11-13 

The Wolfe Tones continue their seemingly never-ending Final Farewell tour with two shows at the 25,000-capacity Thomond Park, home to Munster Rugby, this weekend. Sandwiched between them on Saturday night is the Script, led by Danny O’Donoghue. They’ll likely pack a different, but no less devoted, singalong to the likes of Celtic Symphony. English singer-songwriter James Bay and Cork’s own Allie Sherlock are on support duty for Danny O’Donoghue’s gang.

Literary festival: West Cork Literary Festival

 Various venues, Bantry, Friday, July 11-Friday, July 18 

The 27th edition of the West Cork Litfest comprises free events for all ages, including a Letter Cafe, and takes us to Whiddy Island and beautiful Bantry House, as well as various venues around the town. Alan Hollinghurst, Graham Norton, Neil Jordan, and Eimear McBride are among the big names. Personally, I'll be hosting an event at Marino Church on Thursday evening, July 17, with three of the contributors to the new anthology Nothing Compares To You: What Sinéad O’Connor Means To Us.

Arts Festival: Galway International Arts Festival 

Various venues, Monday, July 14- Sunday, July 27 

From theatre to dance to street art to opera, there is something for everyone at the always wide-ranging GIAF over the next two weeks. 

Amble are one of the acts playing in Galway. 

Druid Theatre marks its 50th anniversary with a double bill of JM Synge’s Riders to the Sea and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both directed by Garry Hynes. At the Big Top, rising folk trio Amble (Wednesday) and Sophie Ellis Bextor, supported by Natasha Bedingfield, should get people in fine voice.

Gig: Biig Piig

Cyprus Ave, Cork, Thurs July 17

The Co Cork-born singer has been on the festival trail for much of the summer, but a homecoming gig will see her perform in the more-intimate venue off Oliver Plunkett St. As well as Ireland and the UK, Ms Piig (aka Jessica Smyth) has also spent a lot of time in Spain, so you’ll likely hear songs in both languages. Always an energetic live performer.