ORLAGH DE BHALDRAITHE. The Mayo songstress gives her Nimbus Rising album a live airing at The Shelter on July 24th.

THE RUBY SESSIONS. Chiara Browne, Babelfish, Keith Moss and Dave Mullens take care of acoustic business at Doyle’s, Pearse Street, Dublin on July 17th. The following week’s line-up is just as mouthwatering, with Gary Dunne, Seamus Fogerty, Eoghan Burke and Mike Stevens all getting the chance to exhibit their wares.

NICK HARPER. Roy’s nipper showcases his wares on July 23rd at Whelan’s. Compared – not without reason – to Frank Zappa, he’ll be plugging his rather excellent Harperspace album.

ADRIAN CROWLEY. Whelan’s is the place to be on July 30th if you want a sneak preview of the Dubliner’s Steve Albini-produced album. Due for release in September, it’s already been given the official seal of approval by the No Disco team. Support is provided by Detour, alias Welsh spoken word merchant Gwyn Parry.

CADENZA. The nu-tradsters play the Boyle Arts Festival, Roscommon (August 3rd); De Barra’s, Clonakilty (16th); St. John’s Arts Centre, Listowel (17th); and Friar’s Gate Arts Centre, Kilmallock (18th).

JOHN PRINE & CHIP TAYLOR. The two American songwriting legends join forces for a July 21st show at the Olympia. Prine will be plugging In Spite Of Ourselves, his new duets album which co-stars Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement and Lucinda Williams.

JOE GILTRAP. The expat Dubliner brings it all back home this month when he plays The Abbymill Theatre, Fethard (July 20th); Finlay’s, Monasterevan (21st); The Milltown Inn, Milltown, Co. Kildare (22nd); The Richmond Inn, Clondra (24th); Wyckham’s Bar, New Ross (27th); The White Horse, Kilcullen (28th); McHugh’s, Carlow (29th); Rathcrogue House, Wexford Road, County Carlow (August 4th); The Pub, New Ross (11th); Kitty’s Corner, Ballina (17th); and The Log Cabin, Letterkenny (19th).

STEVE MARTYN. The London tunesmith B&Is his way over for shows at the Red Cow Inn, Dublin (July 19th & August 17th); White House, Roscrea (August 11th); and Dockers’ Club, Belfast (18th).

CADILLAC ANGELS. The Californian surfabilly merchants open their Irish account with shows at Vicar St., Dublin (August 7th) and Connolly’s of Leap (8th). A huge live draw in the States, the trio have a million miles of touring under their belts, and gigged with such heavyweights as Carl Perkins, Santana, The Violent Femmes and Bo Diddley.

HAMELL ON TRIAL. The cult Americans showcase their Ed’s Not Dead, Hamell Comse Alive album at Whelan’s on August 21st.

THE RACKETEEERS. The West Coast popsters limber up for an extensive European tour with soirees at The Garavogue, Sligo (July 19th); A.R. Kelly, Westport (20th); Arts Festival, Galway (21st); and Slattery’s, Dublin (28th).

THE ULTRA MONTANES. The owners of the finest cheekbones in Dublin play a hometown headliner at the Temple Bar Music Centre on July 26th. Support is provided by the equally well-chiselled Female Hercules and Klubber Lang.

TURN. Having bid a none too tearful farewell to Infectious, the Kells trio put themselves in the shop window again with a brace of Whelan’s shows (July 20th and 21st). The latter is an all ages affair kicking off at 2pm.

JABLKON. You can catch the legendary Czech rockers at the Arts Festival, Galway (July 23rd); Blasket Centre, Dingle (24th); Half Moon, Cork (25th); Cleere’s Pub, Kilkenny (26th); The Menagerie, Belfast (27th); and Shelter @ Vicar St., Dublin (29th). Mooted to be “the musical equivalent of Franz Kafka”, the band