The cream of Ireland’s female musicians gathered across Co. Kildare last year as part of Hot Press’ Nothing Compares Brigid’s Day celebrations, supported by Kildare County Council.

Amongst those performing at the Moat Theatre in Naas was acclaimed singer-songwriter Susan O’Neill, who offered a heart-wrenching rendition of ‘Now You See It’, a song which poignantly details “the transient nature of life and looking back at what life was.”

The award-winning Clare native has been making a name for herself on the Irish circuit as one of our most accomplished and authentic performers. Renowned for her free-spirited concerts and unmistakable voice, she’s a regular collaborator with fellow accomplished songwriter Mick Flannery, with the duo pairing up on the hugely successful 2021 record In The Game. 

This beautiful live performance video provides a wonderful taste of what people attending this years Nothing Compares events can look forward to.

O'Neill also recently featured on Virgin Media's groundbreaking new music series Uprising, produced in tandem with Hot Press.

Joining O’Neill at last year’s Nothing Compares series was a string of celebrated female performers, marking the new public holiday with an unforgettable salute to women’s indelible contributions to Irish music and culture.

The festivities are making a much-anticipated return in 2024, with various Nothing Compares events taking place as part of the Brigid 1500 programme presented by Hot Press and Kildare County Council.

The Wonderful Barn Show in Leixlip on Saturday, January 27, features songs on the theme of 'Mother Earth' with a star-studded lineup of Denise Chaila, Gemma Hayes, Una Healy, Róisín O and Tolü Makay.

Social justice and freedom will be the focus at We Shall Overcome in the Athy Library on Tuesday, January 30, with performances from Eleanor McEvoy, Mary Coughlan, Pauline Scanlon, Jess Kav, Toshín and local artist IF.

Attention will shift once more to the Moat Theatre in Naas, on Thursday, February 1,  with Laura Whitore MCing Nothing Compares – In Concert, featuring Imelda May, HamsandwicH, Camille O'Sullivan, Niamh Regan and Nell Mescal.

Proceedings draw to a close at St Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare, for She Moves Through The Fair, which features traditional and contemporary songs about Irish women, with Moya Brennan, Loah, Lisa Lambe and The Henry Girls and more taking the stage on Sunday, February 24.

Elsewhere – and this is a big one! – Mother Earth: The Food Happening, p starting at 12noon at The Wonderful Barn features acclaimed food vendors, as well as a host of ticketed workshops and demonstrations from leading Irish women in food at Wonderful Barn in Leixlip from this coming Saturday, January 27. There's also lots of free stuff happening, from 11am onwards – well worth checking out!