Mac aodhas is a new venue open to artists on Thursday nights. Under new management, Anthony McMurray wants to give performers a space to showcase their songs, poems and theatre pieces, to share their talents with like-minded individuals.

Anne Marie Kelly, pictured right, is the organiser, and sets up the PA equipment in time for a 9 o’clock start, and there is no charge.

Since the beginning of the summer, there have been three core performers a night, who each are given a half an hour. You need to contact Anne Marie if you want this much time, or just show up if you have shorter pieces, as there is an open mike period. It’s an opportunity to read from your favourite piece of literature, read your latest poem, or you can play covers or do original songs.

It is a great environment in which to gain experience performing in front of a live audience and is different in that a home video is shot that can be used for people’s MySpace or BEBO page, and that can be replayed to give someone a window on their live performance.

The night is being advertised in music shops and libraries, on Phantom FM and through the gumtree website. Anne Marie’s background is in music, and she has two main band projects working: Schmooze (jazz) and Deilin (trad/ rock outfit) as well as other projects.

She hopes that word will get around about the session. “It’s very low-key at the moment. And if you’re anyway nervous about doing these nights, then this is the one to start with.”

Mac aodhas, Ellis Quay is beside Collins Barracks. Contact annemarie.kelly@o2.ie or phone 086 814 5897 between 8.30 to 10.30pm.