The Des Carty Sessions is an annual traditional and folk music festival held in South County Dublin each October. Alternative Entertainments has been at the heart of a strong local traditional music scene since its inception and has programmed events to promote local musicians and to expose them to wider influencers.

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In the 80s and 90s The Tallaght Traditional Music Seminar served this function, and for the past 12 years The Sessions has continued bringing the best Irish and world talent to the area. The festival has served as an important  focus point for traditional music players and audiences in South Dublin County.

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Celebrated musicians from around the world congregate in venues in Tallaght, Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Saggart, Celbridge and Rathfarnham to play, teach, learn and discuss the country's musical culture and its influences worldwide.

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Since 2004 the festival has brought muscians such as Martin Carthy, Kim Rooney, Seán Keane, Tony MacMahon, Tommy Peoples, Steve Cooney, Kathleen Lougnane, Alec Finn, Charlie Piggott, Paddy Keenan, Maurice Lennon, Seán Potts, Johnny Moynihan, Brian Mullen, Kitty Hayes, Paddy Cronin, KJamsie Byrne and Barry Gleeson to the Dublin south-west region

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The 2019 festival will feature :

Gerry Harrington, Charlie Piggot & Fintan Vallely on Thursday 10th October at 8pm in Celbridge Library, Celbridge, Co Kildare. Free Admission. 

Booking essential, contact Celbridge Library at 01-6272207 or celbridgelib@kildarecoco.ie

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Jimmy Kelly, Liam Kennedy & Ben Keogh on Friday 11th October at 9pm in Rathcoole Inn Snug, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. Free Admission. 

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