Busy arts week in Offaly

A special bluegrass night with Bending The Strings takes place in Hugh Lynch"s, Tullamore, on Sunday next, from 8pm to 10pm. On Wednesday, the Offaly Writers Group meets in Birr Library at 7pm, while the Slieve Bloom Sessions comprising a night of the best of traditional music and song, featuring a host of local musicians and singers and maybe the odd storyteller. On Friday next, Birr Theatre and Arts Centre hosts movie night Grease at 8pm. Tickets available from Birr Box Office on 05791 22911 €7 (member rates apply). Also on Friday, June 12, at 8pm, Up Close And Personal with Neil Bryden takes place in The Thatch, Rahan. "This New Yorker Songstress" plays the Thatch as part of her debut album tour. Nell Bryden"s distinctive and emotionally expressive voice lends a timeless feel to her unique brand of modern-Dixie". Tickets €15 available from Heartbeat City, Tullamore or www.tickets.ie/thethatch Later this month, on Tuesday, June 23, at 8pm in the Church of the Assumption, the Tullamore International Summer Organ Series reappears. The series presents Tullamore Academy Chamber Choir and organist John O"Keeffe. Meanwhile, on Thursday, 25 to June 28, the Shannonbridge Midsummer Music Festival is back. Check out www.myspace.com/shannonbridgefest for more information.