OF ALL the events planned for Liverpool’s two-week celebration of the Emerald Isle, the Irish Sea Sessions is the one that best symbolises the city’s Gaelic connections.

Described as a “seat of the pants show with 14 Irish musicians blazing away” by its musical director, Bernard O’Neill, it is at once ambitious and homely, a cross-between a super-group and a few friends sharing tunes over pints of Guinness in the local pub.

“This couldn’t have started anywhere else other than Liverpool because of its massive ties with Ireland,” says O’Neill, who was among the line-up at the first Irish Sea Sessions last year.

“But now it’s established itself it’s able to go and explore other audiences.”

After Liverpool, the group will play concerts in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

Traditional and contemporary performers come from the three cities and include Damien Dempsey, Alan Burke, Graham Dunne, Niamh Parsons, Gino Lupari, Ian Prowse, Terry Clarke-Coyne, Dave Munnelly, John McSherry, Meabh O’Hare, Jennifer John and Stevie Dunne.

Last year’s concert was pre-empted by several rehearsals but the performances evolved organically so the show retained a session feel.

“It’s very unadulterated,” says O’Neill, who has worked with a range of recording stars, including Rufus Wainwright and Sinead O’Connor.