The annual Michael Commins Country Concert shows will be staged in Galway City’s Clayton Hotel next Monday and Tuesday, February 20 and 21, at 8pm nightly.

Once again, some 30 acts will grace the stage, evenly spread between the two nights. ‘Newcomers’ this year will include Oliver Diviney from Galway, Eamon McCann and Kenny Archer from Tyrone, and Liam McLaughlin from Antrim.  Several other acts are returning after an absence of some years and, according to Michael, “it all adds up to two very special nights”.

Monday night’s show will feature Declan Nerney, Mick Flavin, Ciarán Rosney, Marc Roberts, Kenny Archer, Rachel Goode, Don Stiffe, Kevin Prendergast, Ross Molloy, Oliver Diviney, Larissa Tormey, Joe Forde, Julie Healy, Noreen Burke, Billy Condon and the Ryan Turner Band.

The Tuesday night show will feature John Glenn, Eamon McCann, Art Supple, Mick Mulhern, Bernie Heaney, Sarah McEvilly, Matt Keane, Gavin Gribben, Pat McKenna, Liam McLaughlin, John McIntyre, Richard Mulligan, Carmel McLoughlin, Eunice Moran and Billy Condon, who will be joining the Ryan Turner Band.

The popular afternoon session will also return, taking place from 3pm to 5.30pm in the hotel bar each day where patrons are welcome to enjoy live music from Mick Mulhern and The Usual Suspects. The same band will also perform in the lounge after the concerts on both nights, allowing the party atmosphere to continue.

These country concerts are among the most popular annual shows in Galway, attracting a loyal clientele from around the country, as well as fans from England and even as far away as  America.

Tickets for the shows remain at €30 and are available from The Clayton Hotel reception on 091 721900 and also from  Quinn’s Shop (Tuam), Joyce’s Tesco (Headford), Clarinbridge Post Office, Smyth’s Shop (Main Street, Claremorris), Ticketmaster and direct from Patsy Brown on 086 1551841.