The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

By John Crowley's

Sharon Shannon has revealed her new album came about from a pub session in Galway. 

The longplayer Tunes sees her join forces with De Dannan fiddler Frankie Gavin, Manchester-Irish flautist Mike McGoldrick and long-time sideman Jim Murray on guitar. 

Sharon says: “I have been playing a great few sessions with Frankie and Jim at Tí Coili in Galway City. 

“There was no big decision for us to become a band because we are all busy doing our own things, but we thought it would be great to reproduce what we had been doing in the studio.”

And Sharon says trad is incredibly strong in Ireland. 

“There is a whole new batch of musicians who are really pushing us out,” she declares. 

“There is a new respect for the pure tradition back home and it is keeping those of us who have been around a while on our toes!” 

Sharon who is currently on tour with Eliza Carthy and can be seen at the following venues this month: The Maltings, Berwick (March 17); The Exchange, Edinburgh (18); The Tolbooth, Stirling (19); The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (20); The Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield (21); Cheese & Grain, Frome (23); Theatre Mwldan, Cardigan (24); Aberystwyth Ac, Aberystwyth (26); Fareham Festival (27); The Sage, Gateshead (30); and Brewery AC, Kendal (31).