The Festival of Music at St. Barrahane's Church is an annual event now in its 41st year. The first summer concert will take place on Thursday, July 20 at 8pm in St. Barrahane's Church, Castletownshend. The concert will feature Anne-Marie Papin Labazordière on harp and Sokol Koka on cello, performing a program that includes pieces by Bellini, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Bach, and more.

Anne-Marie Papin Labazordière, who began playing the harp at the age of nine, has an impressive background in harp performance and has performed with various orchestras, including the RTE Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, and Ulster Orchestra. She is also a harp teacher at the Cork School of Music.

Sokol Koka, originally from Albania, studied cello in Durrës Music School and continued his studies at the Conservatory 'G. Verdi' in Milan. He won the audition for the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and works as a freelance chamber music and orchestra musician with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra.

On Thursday, July 27 at 8pm, 'Musici Ireland' will perform, featuring Vourneen Ryan on flute, Mia Cooper on violin, and Beth McNinch on viola. Musici Ireland is a female-led chamber collective founded in 2012. They are known for presenting interesting and evocative programs and have developed relationships with venues and guest artists. Their repertoire includes compositions by Martini, Beethoven, Bartok, Ponce, and more.

Lastly, Ailbhe McDonagh and Trio Elatha will perform on Thursday, August 3 at 8pm, showcasing a blend of Irish traditional music and classical chamber music. Ailbhe McDonagh is an internationally recognized soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist. She will be joined by Lynda O'Connor on violin and Brendan Walsh on guitar, both of whom are award-winning Irish musicians.

Tickets for the concerts can be purchased online through Eventbrite or at the door on the night of the event. They are also available at Thornhill Electrical in Skibbereen, and you can obtain further information from the festival's website: www.barrahanemusic.ie.