In addition to Summer BCMFest on July 7 this month will see events in the Greater Boston area featuring some prominent Irish/Celtic performers.
• One of the co-founders of famed Irish-American band Solas comes to town with his new collaboration, as the Seamus Egan Project plays at City Winery Boston on July 7. A master of multiple instruments, including banjo, mandolin, flute, and whistle, Egan has been one of the most active and ubiquitous performers to emerge in the “second-generation” Irish folk revival, from his solo recordings with Shanachie Records to the film and TV soundtracks (notably “The Brothers McMullen”) he has scored, to his work as music director for the “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn” annual show in Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theater. His “project” hearkens back to his pre-Solas period in which he explored his interest in jazz, classical, bluegrass and rock alongside traditional Irish music. Egan is joined by one-time Solas vocalist and “musical polyglot” Moira Smiley; guitarist Kyle Sanna, whose style is greatly informed by a penchant for improvisation, especially in his partnership with fiddler Dana Lyn; and Owen Marshall, who plays guitar, bouzouki, and harmonium with Maine quartet The Press Gang.
See ww.citywintery.com/boston for tickets and information.
• Grammy and Emmy nominee Mairead Nesbitt, whose kinetic fiddling was a hallmark of the original “Celtic Woman” production, will be at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England in Canton on July 12 at 8 p.m. The Tipperary native has a strong Irish music heritage – one which she celebrate on her 2017 album, “Devil’s Bit Sessions,” in which she played traditional tunes with 13 members of her family – as well as a solid background in classical violin that included studies at the Cork School of Music and the London Royal Academy. A featured player in the soundtracks for “Riverdance,” “Lord of the Dance,” and “Feet of Flame,” Nesbitt has appeared with Van Morrison, Sinéad O’Connor, Clannad, Emmylou Harris, Sharon Shannon, Paul Brady, and Frances Black, among many others.
For ticket information and other details, see irishculture.org.
• The pioneering Irish ensemble Cherish the Ladies returns to the area for a show at The Cabot Theatre in Beverly on July 13 at 8 p.m. Since its formation in 1985 as a concert series showcasing female Irish musicians, the group has been known for its superlative interpretations of traditional tunes and songs and as a launch pad for distinguished performers like Aoife Clancy, Eileen Ivers, Winifred Horan, Cathie Ryan, and Bridget Fitzgerald. Cherish the Ladies is led by co-founders Joanie Madden (flute, whistle) and Mary Coogan (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin); current members also include Mirella Murray (accordion), Nollaig Casey (fiddle) and Kathleen Boyle (piano). In addition to touring worldwide, Cherish the Ladies starred in its own PBS TV special, “An Irish Homecoming,” which won an Emmy. Their most recent album, “Heart of the Home,” underscores the band’s devotion to music passed down by past generations – including their own family members.
Go to thecabot.org for reservations and information.
• Ronan Tynan, acclaimed as “America’s Irish Tenor” as well as a symbol of the triumph of faith and human spirit, will appear at Rockport’s Shalin Liu Performance Center on July 28 at 5 p.m. Despite ongoing health problems throughout his youth, Tynan – a Dublin native raised in Kilkenny – became a medal-winning athlete in the Paralympics, and showed equal determination as the first disabled person ever admitted to the National College of Physical Education, later becoming a full-fledged medical doctor. Though he didn’t start formal voice training until his early 30s, Tynan quickly blossomed as an operatic/classical-style singer and in 1998 co-formed the Irish Tenors, which enjoyed international success. Since then, Tynan has toured around the world and sung at such landmark events as the state funeral for Ronald Reagan, the Belmont Stakes, benefits and memorial services for 9/11 first responders, and the inauguration of Boston Mayor Martin Walsh. In addition to a number of audio recordings, Tynan has released a DVD of his motivational speaking.
Reservations and other information available at rockportmusic.org/ronan-tynan.

Other Irish Happenings In July

• Sun., July 7– Irish Social Club dance, music by Erin's Melody, 7–10 p.m.
• Mon., July 8 – Irish Cultural Centre Set Dancing with Cait Bracken, 7 p.m. Occurs each Monday in the month. There is also a summer workshop
• for kids July 8–12. For info call Maudy Dooher @781-821-8291.
• Thurs., July 11– Irish Cultural Centre hosts a history class at 7.15 p.m., continues each Thursday of the month.
• Fri., July 12 – Irish Cultural Centre presents Celtic Women- Grammy nominated artist Mairead Nesbitt in concert. For tickets and info, call 781-821-8291.
• Sat., July 13 – Knights and Ladies of St. Finbarr - Cork club monthly
• dance at the K of C hall, 15 Winslow St., Arlington. Music by Erin's Melody, dancing 7-11 p.m. Always complimentary coffee, tea, and assorted home baked pastries.
• • Also on this date: The Irish Cultural Centre will have classes at 3 p.m. for those interested in Fiddle, Tin Whistle and Accordion. They will continue through the Saturdays in July.
• Sun., July 14 – Irish Social Club in West Roxbury has John Connors for its Sunday evening dance, 7-10 p.m.
• Fri., July 19 – The Irish Cultural Centre’s annual golf tournament starts at 2 p.m.
• at Brook Meadow Country Club in Canton. Cost $150 pp, includes green fees, cart, prizes and post tourney meal. For more info call 781-821-8291.
• Sun., July 21 – Irish Social club dance, music by Silver Spears.
• Sun., July 28 – Irish Social Club dance, music by Denis Curtin's band.
• Notes: The Irish Music club of Greater Boston will not have a dance due to the holiday weekend; next dance scheduled for Aug. 3. And the Norwood Irish Music club will not have a dance in July or August. Next outing will be September 21.

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Our best wishes go out to all members of Irish clubs for a very happy July 4th holiday and sincere thanks to the Boston Irish Reporter and radio stations WUNR and WORL for their tremendous help in our Irish community.
(Listings courtesy of Richard Archer.)