Fancy a sesh in East Cork?

A former church in Ballycotton is the setting for a new music series which will see some of the country’s biggest acts strut their stuff in East Cork.

The eight-part Ballycotton Sessions by Seachurch Productions and RTÉ will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Louise Duffy in the newly renovated Sea Church, the former St Colman’s Church of Ireland in Ballycotton village.

The acts featured in series include The Academic, Robert Grace, Damien Dempsey, Wallis Bird, rapper JyellowL, Saint Sister, Jack L and The Coronas. Each episode will spotlight an artist who will join Louise for an interview and perform in the intimate venue.

As a unique, picturesque and famously laid-back fishing village just 40km from Cork city, Ballycotton was chosen as the ideal location for chat and music framed by its magnificent ocean views.

The original St Colman’s Church of Ireland was built in 1835 for £330 but suffered over the years due to a dwindling local Church of Ireland population, and gradually the fell into disuse and was finally closed.

In 2018, Ballycotton-born Pearse Flynn set out to realise a dream of his own when he purchased the church from American vendors.

Thus commenced a multi-million euro revamp to take this diamond in the rough from decline and into restoration.

Special care was taken in the renovation of the church and a huge amount of time, energy and passion have been dedicated over a two-year restoration programme.

The first episode of The Ballycotton Sessions airs tonight, Thursday, at 11 pm and will also be available to view on-demand on the RTÉ Player.