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And that milestone is being celebrated over the next couple of weeks with the fifth edition of Féasta Ceoil an Spidéil.

The festival comprises a run of gigs at Stiúideo Cuan featuring some of Ireland’s premier folk and alternative artists.

First up is Roesy, the alias of Birr native Alan Roe, who has eight albums and many years of touring experience to his name, but has spent much of the last decade putting his music on pause.

“We used to be neighbours down the Claddagh about 20 or 30 years ago,” says Darach Mac Con Iomaire, creative director of Stiúideo Cuan.

“He went off to Australia for about 15 years, so he’s back and back touring new music which is wonderful.

“He’s also a multidisciplinary artist, so the studio will be transformed nearly into an art gallery for the gig, with all his own artwork.”

The rest of the festival plays out over the following weekend with three consecutive nights of gigs.

On Thursday, June 18, folk singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan tops the bill.

Mac Con Iomaire first encountered her in An Taibhdhearc, where he worked as an artistic director in his early twenties.

“There’s very little that needs to be said about Lisa,” he says. “She’s just a wonderful........

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