What’s On This Week: The Anam Sessions

Other Voices: The Anam Sessions continues this Thursday at 11pm on RTÉ2 and worldwide on the RTÉ Player.

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The third episode takes us to The Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle, one of the most distinctive historic spaces in the heart of the capital. Designed by Irish architect Francis Johnston in 1807 and opened on Christmas Day 1814, the 19th-century chapel originally served the Lord Lieutenant, or Viceroy, who resided in the State Apartments.

Following extensive restoration, the Chapel Royal remains an important part of Dublin Castle’s historic character and has since hosted a variety of events, performances and filming. This week, it provides a striking setting for performances and conversations with four artists from across Ireland and beyond: Aby Coulibaly, Aoife Ní Bhriain & Cormac McCarthy, Curtisy and Jacob Alon.

Presented by MayKay and Cóilí Collins / Shampain, The Anam Sessions brings contemporary and traditional Irish music into some of the country’s most significant heritage sites.

Aby Coulibaly

Aby Coulibaly is one of the most exciting emerging voices in Irish music. Aby’s sound moves between soul, R&B, pop and experimental textures, shaped by a lifelong connection to music that began in childhood. Following the release of her debut EP Growing Pains, Aby has continued to carve out her own space in the Irish music scene, with a growing catalogue that reflects her experiences, influences and ambitions. She has won over audiences at major summer festivals including Radio 1’s Big Weekend and All Points East, and earned praise from tastemakers such as NME, RTÉ, The Irish Times, and Wonderland. Since the debut of her debut mixtape, At The End Of The Day… It’s Night, she has taken to some of the UK’s biggest stages, supporting artists including Coldplay, Olivia Dean, and Rejjie Snow. 

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Aoife Ní Bhriain & Cormac McCarthy

Violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain and pianist Cormac McCarthy are two of the most accomplished musicians working across Ireland’s traditional and contemporary music scenes. Aoife Ní Bhriain was born in Dublin, to a family of musicians, and has established herself as one of the most versatile musicians of her generation. Cormac McCarthy is a pianist & composer from Cork, Ireland. His music is said to "defy categorisation" (Lyric FM). Their collaboration brings together Aoife’s virtuosic fiddle playing with Cormac’s distinctive approach to piano, creating a sound that is both rooted in tradition and open to experimentation. Together, they explore the possibilities of Irish traditional music through a deeply musical and dynamic partnership.

Curtisy

Curtisy is a Dublin rapper and songwriter whose witty wordplay, keen observational poetry and undeniable charm have made him one of the most exciting names in Ireland’s new wave of hip-hop. Curtisy achieved notable success in 2025 and 2026 with his collaborative mixtape Beauty in the Beast and his studio album Get a Life!, earning an RTÉ Choice Music Prize nomination for Album of the Year. He further broadened his profile through international festival performances at Eurosonic and Sziget, inclusion in the RTÉ 2FM Rising 2026 roster, and a headline tour across Ireland and the UK.

Jacob Alon

Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon achieved a historic rise across 2025 and 2026, becoming the first Scottish act named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year and releasing their critically acclaimed top 40 debut album, In Limerence. With lyrics that cut sharply and a dark, bittersweet humour, Jacob has built a reputation for performances that feel both intimate and electrifying. Their work has earned widespread recognition, marking them as one of the most distinctive emerging artists of their generation. Their industry breakthrough was cemented in 2026 by winning the prestigious BRITs Critics' Choice Award, taking home two Ivor Novello Awards, and securing a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.

Watch Episode 3 this Thursday, 24 September, at 11pm on RTÉ2 or catch up wherever you are in the world on the RTÉ Player.

Catch up on previous episodes now, with performances from Joshua Burnside, Cliffords, Mick O’Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Girl in the Year Above, Ellie O’Neill, Kean Kavanagh, Sárán Mulligan & Muirine Nic Róibín and SOAK on the RTÉ Player.

Coming up in this series:

• Episode 4: Thursday 1 October: (Áras an Uachtaráin) Aibhse, CUAS, Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Damien Dempsey, Huartan, Pauline Scanlon, Ruth McGinley

The Anam Sessions is produced by Other Voices in partnership with the Office of Public Works.

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