John Spillane
Debarras, Clonakilty, Co Cork 9pm €10
debarra.ie

He’s been around for some time, but the Cork singer- songwriter John Spillane (above) remains attuned to filtering out the trials, troubles and tribulations of the human condition, and replacing such negatives with songs that are amusing, assured, poignant and honest. Performing in a venue Spillane knows so well will only add to the pleasure of an evening in the company of this guy.

Sharon Shannon
The Grainstore, Ballymaloe, Co Cork, 8pm, €27
ballymaloegrainstore.com

So much more than a box player, Shannon is a prolific composer and, in 2013, took on the role of producer (for The High Kings’ album). It’s on stage, though, that Shannon truly shines, with a clear emphasis on the percussive and melodic subtleties of her instrument.

First Fortnight 2015

Founded in 2009, First Fortnight is a charity-based organisation with the prime aim of challenging mental health prejudice and erasing attached stigmas. To this end, at the start of each year a programme of multidisciplinary arts events is organised, and this year (as per usual) the line-up is superb. From music (Lost Brothers, Fri; Kevin Nolan, Sat) and spoken word (Sun) to theatre (Thurs) and documentaries (January 10), it’s all here.