Dept of Arts supports Irish music in Europe

First out of the traps on January 10 are BellX1 who kick-off a whistle-stop tour of Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic in Prague's Joshua Tree Bar (wonder where they got their name from? Ed).
"As part of its new role in promoting Irish Arts abroad, my Department was asked on behalf of the Government to develop a programme of events and activities that will assist in making new friendships and new connections within the new Europe," Minister John O'Donoghue explains. "I'm confident that the programme over the next six months will sow seeds of artistic and cultural cooperation that will produce lasting benefits for Ireland as a whole, and most importantly, for all the regions across the country."
Another centrepiece is the Legends From Ireland festival which runs from April 1 to 4 in Brussels' Palais Des Beaux-Arts, and features the talents of Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill, Sharon Shannon, The Armagh Ryders, The Voice Squad and Donal Lunny.