Major Irish acts to headline Scotland’s Celtic Connections festival

Horslips, Paul Brady, and The Sharon Shannon Big Band - featuring Shane McGowan, Imelda May and Mundy, are just some of the big Irish names on this year’s bill, which features a total of 1,500 artists appearing at 14 venues throughout the city. The festival will run over an 18-day period from mid-January.

Other Irish acts scheduled to appear include, the multi-talented Brian Kennedy, singer-songwriter, Declan O’Rourke, banjo virtuoso Gerry O’Connor, folk legend Andy Irvine, and traditional musicians, Paddy & Kevin Glackin, while the Sligo Live Sessions Festival will also make a special appearance at Celtic Connections.

The Waterboys will bring their acclaimed An Appointment With Mr Yeats show to Glasgow; while Gemma Hayes will appear at 'Forever Young' - a 70th birthday tribute to Bob Dylan, which also features Rosanne Cash, Josh Rouse and Thea Gilmore in the line-up.

Meanwhile, Paul Brady will take part in the famed Transatlantic Sessions which are incorporated into the festival and which now forms a major BBC TV series.

The huge Irish presence will be joined by a host of major UK, American and World music stars, including Richard Thompson, Grant Lee Buffalo, Jah Wobble, Mavis Staples, Laura Cantrell, Travis’ Fran Healy, Ani Di Franco, Raul Malo and Giant Sand, among dozens of others.
For more info see [link]www.celticconnections.com[/link]