Ó GHLÚIN go glúin, from generation to generation, the sean-nós singing tradition is passed carefully down in Cork’s Múscraí Gaeltacht: from the 200-year-old songs of Máire Bhuí Ní Laoire, to Bess Cronin, Peaití Thaidhg Pheig Ó Tuama, Máire Ní Cheocháin and Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin to today’s young singers. And to Nell Ní Chróinín, winner this month of sean-nós singing’s most coveted prize, the Corn Uí Riada.

Music fans are lined up for a real treat with loads of gigs, many of them free, as part of the annual Cork Folk Festival which kicks off on Oct 10.

NOW in its 11th year, the Masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry, Co Cork (August 14-18) has turned out to be exactly the kind of festival that its artistic director, Martin Hayes, envisaged.

THEY came from all corners of Ireland and the UK.

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