John Spillane, Loah, Mary Coughlan, Junior Brother and more announced for Cork festival Right Here Right Now

Cork City-based festival Right Here Right Now returns next month to celebrate some of the most exciting names in Irish music. This year's line-up includes Mary Coughlan, Wallis Bird, Loah, Niamh Regan, John Spillane, Junior Brother and more – currently taking place on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, across both Cork Opera House and Coughlan's.

“The Right Here Right Now Festival brings together everything that lies at the core of who we are at Cork Opera House," comments Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO Cork Opera House, "And everything that we've been missing over the last 18 months – our orchestra live on stage with amazing established and upcoming home-grown artists; a diversity of programme; collaborating with outstanding artists and professionals; working together with our talented friends and colleagues in Coughlan's who, like many small independent venues over the last while, have worked so hard to keep the show on the road; and most importantly, welcoming audiences into our house to share magical experiences together with friends and loved ones.

"It's a glorious return to live music and I really can't wait!

A highly anticipated bill of acclaimed women in Irish music, including Mary Coughlan, Wallis Bird, Loah and Niamh Regan, will kick off the first night of Right Here Right Now on Friday, November 12 – accompanied by the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra.

This is set to be followed by a special evening of traditional and folk music with John Spillane and Junior Brother – again playing alongside the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra. Offering up the very best in our dynamic folk scene, the two artists will come together on the iconic stage for a memorable show on Saturday, November 13.

“There were times over the course of the last year and a half where it seemed like we may never get back to our normal way of life," says Brian Hassett, Managing Director of Coughlan's Live. "In our industry in particular, it was difficult to imagine a return to what we do: rooms packed full of people, artists creating special moments on stage, and everyone working so hard behind the scenes to make these moments happen. There's a community in bringing that all together, and Right Here Right Now is a way of celebrating that community, and really shouting from the rooftops that 'we're back'. Working together with Cork Opera House on such a special project is really proof of what amazing things we can all create when that community comes together.”

In addition to the impressive line-up so far, the organisers have revealed that there are even more announcements to come – with a third day in store on November 14.

Tickets go on sale today, October 4, at 12pm. General tickets are €25, while concession tickets for Students and OAPs are €15. Booking fees may apply.

You can book at www.corkoperahouse.ie or by phone: 021-4270022