The festival has built a strong local following while attracting more international attention in each succeeding year. This year’s featured performers include violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch, who joins Malcolm Proud (harpsichord), Sarah Cunningham (viola da gamba), and Wilbert Hazelzet (flute), in a programme of Telemann’s delicious Paris Quartets, mixed with trio sonatas by Buxtehude in commemoration of his tercentenary year. In another concert Wallfisch joins Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor, making links between baroque and traditional fiddling.

The Brandenburg this year is No. 3, played by the London Handel Players, with Bach’s triple harpsichord concerto, BWV 1064 and flute concertos by Handel and Quantz with soloist Rachel Brown. Tenor John Elwes sings Schubert’s Winterreise accompanied by Una Hunt on an 1807 Clementi square piano. Lutenist Richard Sweeney’s recital includes 18th-century works by Weiss and Bach, while the London-based cornett and sackbut ensemble QuintEssential opens the festival with music associated with St Mark’s in Venice.

The concerts take place in Cloyne Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church in Youghal and Fota House – historic venues spread across the lush and peaceful eastern part of County Cork in the south west of Ireland. Apart from the music, gastronomic possibilities include a host of restaurants using fresh local produce. www.eastcorkearlymusic.ie