Picking up from last week we find that the 2019 Liverpool Irish Festival (October 17-27) is now in full swing.

This kicked off with the master himself, Christy Moore, playing the Liverpool Phil, on Tuesday (October 16) and continued Thursday (October 17) with the Official Launch at The Liverpool Irish Centre, 6 Boundary Lane, Liverpool from 8pm-10pm.

Still to come at the Liverpool Phil is another legend of the Irish music scene, Andy Irvine this Sunday (October 20) at 7.30pm.

Andy, also a member of the famous Planxty, is one of the finest musicians to come out of the Emerald Isle.

On Thursday (October 22), at 7.30pm, there is a 'Liverpool Irish Festival - Trad Night' and next Friday (October 25), at 7.30pm, they even manage to squeeze in the brilliant Welsh Band 9 Bach for a bit of Celtic variety.

To book for any, or all, of the above concerts please phone the box office on 0151 709 3789.

As we raise a glass to our Irish friends with the traditional "slante" and return to this weekend, we find that the latest visitors to Gwaenysgor Village Hall, Trelawnyd, near Rhyl tonight (October 18), at 7pm, are a band who, clearly have their future mapped out for them, Rachael McShane & The Cartographers!

Rachael is a singer, cellist and violin player based in the North East of England. An original member of folk big band, Bellowhead. Rachael toured internationally with them as ell as making several TV appearances.

Bellowhead recorded five studio albums and won eight BBC2 Folk Awards in 12 years together.

Rachael has, more recently, been singing the role of Susannah Holmes in The Transports, alongside The Young 'Uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr, Greg Russell and Matthew Crompton.

Visit the "record journal live" website for tickets and more information on this and other forthcoming events at this excellent venue.

On Sunday (October 20), at 8.30pm, The Raven Folk Club, The Bear & Billet, Lower Bridge Street, Chester welcomes back a prodigal son to the fold in the shape of former Full House member, Phil Hare. It is many years since Phil left Chester to settle in Cambridgeshire and turn professional.

He has become one of the most accomplished acoustic guitarists on the folk scene and has a songwriting talent that is both acerbic and thoughtful.

I have reviewed his last two albums, and, alongside the "protest" songs, he shows a more sensitive side in some of his more poignant songs. Admission is £8 on the door and is worth every penny. Go and welcome him back.

On Monday (October 21) it is the turn of the Llandegla All Styles Music Club at Llandegla Memorial Hall at 8pm to present another Singers & Musicians Night.

Barry Evans and his wife, Kathy, do a great job in providing a platform for aspiring singers and musicians to air and improve their talents and long may they continue to do so.

Barry is also the most genial of hosts and is famous for his resident spots full of humour, wit and repartee. Even better is that the evening, as usual is free but it would help the club if you could maybe buy a raffle ticket or three!

Borrowing a phrase from our friends across the Celtic Sea, it is a case of Murphy's Law intervening on Wednesday (October 23) with two great gigs in Chester vying for your attention.

Being the impartial spectator, as always, I will let you decide after previewing both so, in no particular order, the gig at Mollington & Backford Village Hall, Station Road, Backford (just off the A41) features one of the most talented local folk-rock bands of recent years, Elbow Jane.

In fact, so busy are they that this is a rare opportunity to see them due to their bulging forward diary dates.

All members are, as you would expect, great musicians but there is one member who, I am sure local fans will remember from his solo appearances at Wrexham Folk Club some years ago and his connection to one of the best loved local folk bands of the last 40 years.

It is Joe Topping, son of Tom Topping (of TTB fame) and Joe is a chip off the old block, having a wonderful voice and that presence with his audiences that is inherited rather than learned. He also happens to be a fine songwriter and has been mentored, in the past, by Chris While & Julie Matthews, among others.

Doors open at 6.45pm with a 7.30pm start and tickets, at £12 each, can be booked by phoning Meggi Silva on 01244 371771. If you haven't seen them yet, you are in for a treat and, if you have, you don't need me to tell you how good they are.

The other outstanding gig is at St, Mary's Creative Space, Chester, where The Tweed Project will be the star attraction at 7.30pm.

This six-piece collaboration of musicians and singers explore Scottish and English traditional music to create a unique fusion.

Founded in 2015, they have wowed festival audiences across the country and include, in their ranks, those two young musicians who won two BBC 2 Folk Awards when they were barely out of their teens, Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar.

This is traditional meets contemporary at its finest and tickets, at £13.50 each, are available online at wegottickets.com/events/480073

Finally, last, but by no means least, 'Calling All Budding Musicians, Aged 8-18' takes place for its second session on Sunday (October 27).

The Raven Folk Club continue their project to find, and encourage all youngsters to take along their chosen instruments and play, together with others, in a friendly group session that is entirely free and has the bonus of having music teacher Claire 'Fluff' Smith in attendance to give help and advice.

They can learn new tunes and hone their own skills at the same time and, as an added incentive they will be invited to showcase what they have learnt to the grown-ups at the end of the session or, even better, the very best top of the class will be invited to The Raven Folk Club in the evening to play a real "grown-up" spot.

This is the second of these sessions hosted by The Raven and will take place at the New Scene Centre on Limewood Fields, Chester (CH2 2HH) between 4.30pm-6.30pm.

If you want to take part, and what budding musician wouldn't, you can book your place, or register your interest in future sessions, by contacting Debbie Lee on dlee@newtonprimary.cheshire.sch.uk

If you are still not sure, look at the Raven Facebook page to see how the first session went and what a great reception the folk club faithful gave to the 'budding musicians' spot in the evening.

I applaud The Raven's initiative because us old folk will not be around forever, so get your children learning a stringed, keyboard or wind instrument, and get them registered.

Whatever you (or the next generation) do, and wherever you all go (hopefully together) enjoy your music.

By D.C.M.