The Mary Stokes Band will be making the annual Halloween pilgrimage to Cork to play all of five shows, during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The gigs – which have become an integral part of the Guinness extravaganza – will take place in Counihan’s Bar, Pembroke Street, Cork.

The main evening shows will take place at 10pm each night of the festival. The Mary Stokes Band will also play two afternoon matinee shows, on Saturday and Sunday, at 4pm. "These are always among the most enjoyable gigs of the weekend,” Mary says. “There is a playful aspect to the earlier shows that we always love. But, overall, this is one of rte events that we most look forward to every year. Cork is such a great city and the atmosphere is brilliant throughout."

2019 has proven to be quite a year so far, for Mary and her band, which currently features the sensational guitarist Sarah Michelle, who bends all of the right notes on her Fender Telecaster.

Mary and her band-mates have spent much of past few months recording in various studios around Dublin, with a new album on the way shortly. They present a formidable musical force with Robbie Barrett on drums, Chris Byrne on bass and veteran sideman Brian Palm blowing harp.

A word to the wise for everyone in Cork: catch ‘em while you can! Counihan’s is the place to be over the coming weekend. Don’t say you weren’t warned...

Read our full interview with Mary Stokes Band here.