The eighth annual South County Dublin Des Carty Sessions, presented by Alternative Entertainments, begins on Saturday week, 22 October. The announcement of the lineup coincides with the news that harpist Kathleen Loughnane, who will be performing and giving a workshop at the festival, is to be the Alternative Entertainments Musician-In-Residence from now until February 2012.

This year’s Sessions feature two well-known names from the history of folk music. In the late 1950s and early 60s, Jim Rooney (pictured) was an important figure in the new folk music scene associated with the likes of Eric von Schmidt, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Dave van Ronk and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. Rooney now plays with Rooney’s Irregulars and divides his time between Nashville and Ireland. He will appear in concert alongside Rick Epping, Mick Daly and Chris Twomey in Celbridge Library on Thursday, 27 October.

Working with the likes of Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick, the Albion Country Band, Norma Waterson, and his daughter Eliza, Martin Carthy (see below) has been a folk innovator since the early 1960s and recorded over 40 albums, 10 of which are solo. He will play at Áras Chrónáin, Clondalkin on Saturday, 29 October.

The festival opens with an evening of traditonal Irish music in Rathfarnham Castle on Saturday, 22 October, provided by Galway natives Kathleen Loughnane, The Kane Sisters, John Blake and Saileog Ní Cheannabháin.

The Music of Des Carty is the title of a recital taking place on Monday, October 24th in the Saggart Heritage & Arts Centre. Des Carty’s contribution, as musician and teacher, will be celebrated by the people he taught and played with.

On Tuesday, 25 October an evening of traditional music in the main gallery space of Rua Red, Tallaght, programmed and presented by Tallaght musician Paul Kelly. Among those performing alongside Kelly on the night will be American harpist Lily Neill, previous All-Ireland harp champion.

Sessions regular, Tom Moran, will launch his new book of Irish tunes, The Bells of Rathcoole at The Poitín Stil, Rathcoole on Wednesday, 26 October, and will be joined on the night by Sean Óg McKenna, Máiréad O’Donnell, local musicians and special guests. Meanwhile, Josephine Keegan and John Daly are two of the artists who will gather to pay tribute to the life of Máire Garvey in Saggart Heritage & Arts Centre on Friday, 28 October.

As part of her residency, Kathleen Loughnane will be leading a seventeenth century harping workshop in Kilteel Community Hall, including music by O’Carolan and the Connellan Brothers.

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