TONIGHT the Cork Folk Festival kicks off with a songwriter showcase in the Firkin Crane centre. Tomorrow the Metropole gathers the (Kerry) Begley clan on stage. Accordion player Seamus is best known for his duo with Steve Cooney; Maire presents the popular Kingdom Ceili on Radio Kerry. Also on accordion, Brendan is known in every music nook of the country, singer Jos of Raidio na Gaeltachta is a founder of Macalla.

Terrific Scottish Gallic singer Ishbell Mac Aiskill can be heard, at the Triskel on Saturday, Sean O Se, Mairtin O'Connor and Aine Ui Cheallaigh top the bill in the City Hall O Riada concert that night. The festival's late spot club nights at "the Met" have Jackie Daly and the UK Boat Band tomorrow, the comic Old Rope String Band on Saturday.

Some of our finest singers are in concert on Sunday afternoon, Jimmy McCarthy rounds it all up at the Everyman on Sunday following fiddle, box and set dance workshops and concerts that pack what is arguably the most cheerful, interesting, child friendly and simply spacious of all our festivals. Weekend tickets £2, telephone 021-317271.