THE very entertaining Corkman Jimmy Crowley makes a rare New York appearance this coming Friday night, December 7 as part of the Blarney Star concert series at the Glucksman Ireland House in Washington Square (www.blarneystar.com).

A veteran of four decades performing songs and stories of all descriptions, he is a must-see for anyone who treasures the individual approach to the Irish tradition, and he has a genuine comedic bent also.

An excellent solo performer, Crowley plays the bouzouki, mandolin and mouth organ. Contact Ireland House at 212-998-3950 for information. Students and members receive a discount . . .

BLARNEY Star producer Don Meade runs a weekly seisiun at the Landmark Tavern (www.thelandmarktavern.org) starting around 8 p.m., and he welcomes the Waterford uilleann piper David Power back to the Big Apple. Power spent a few years in the New York area and even appeared on Broadway in a recent production of A Touch of the Poet . . .

A COUPLE of more Christmas items to tuck in this week. Moya Brennan and her band will do a couple of New York gigs mixing a Christmas theme with the many Clannad classics and solo stylings that have made her famous over the years. On Sunday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. she appears at the Towne Crier Caf in Pawling, New York (www.towncrier.com).

The next night she will be at the new music room, Klub 45 at Connolly's Times Square Pub (121 West 45th Street, New York, 212-597-5126) at 8 p.m. . . .

THE Boys of the Lough will be guest artists on the Prairie Home Companion at Town Hall on Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15 (radio broadcast live show sold out). Check with Town Hall box office at 212-307-4100 for available tickets.