Laois 'county star' singer Kean Kavanagh in Emo Court for The Anam Sessions

Portlaoise native Kean Kavanagh will perform in the opulent interior of Emo Court, recently renovated and reopened to the public by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

It is part of The Anam Sessions, an eight week series in collaboration with the OPW that brings together “an exceptional group of artists” for a curated blend of intimate performances in Ireland’s publicly owned stately properties, including Barryscourt Castle in Cork, the Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle and Áras an Uachtaráin.

A regular guest of the prestigious Other Voices series, Kean who is based in London, has already been home to record his performance in the OPW’s Laois jewel.

It will go live on Wednesday, June 3.

He told the Leinster Express how special the recording was.

"I was delighted to be asked to film this session with my band for Other Voices and even happier to hear it was gonna be at home in Laois.

“I hadn’t explored the house at Emo Court too much before but me and my parents go running out there in the frost in the Winter time.

"It was nice to perform in familiar surroundings and for my parents to be able to be there with me for this session” said Kean, whose parents are Laois triathletes Niall and Madeleine Kavanagh.

Read next: New wave of acts announced for Laois music festival!

Kean will be back home again this summer to perform in the All Together Now festival.

Kean released his critically acclaimed first album ‘The County Star’ last year, as well as being cofounder, producer and A&R of Irish Label Soft Boy Records.

His career is escalating fast with sold out shows in Ireland and the UK.

Other Voices describe him as “a story-teller, word-smith and dexterous musician with a strong imagination”.

They say Kean’s career is set to project far beyond his Irish roots with his unique blend of Indie Rock, Americana and Irish folk influences.

Kean’s video of A Cowboy Song from The County Star album, filmed in Laois GAA grounds.

As well as Kean, viewers can look forward to performances from SOAK, Jacob Alon who won he BRITs 2026 Critics’ Choice award, Damien Dempsey, Ellie O’Neill, and Curtisy.

The Anam Sessions also showcases many first-time Other Voices performers, including Girl in the Year Above, Cliffords, Aby Coulibaly, and Ruth McGinley.

Read next: Iran war hits road repair plans across Laois due to rising costs

Traditional music also takes centre stage, with performances from Mick O’Brien and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Sárán Mulligan and Muirine Nic Roíbín, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy, as well as CUAS, Huartan, Pauline Scanlon, Dairena Ní Chinnéide, and Aibhse.

The first session is already out, with Joshua Burnside live from Barryscourt Castle, Cork. New sessions are premiering globally every Wednesday and Friday via the Other Voices YouTube.

The bilingual series will also air on RTÉ television later this year, hosted by MayKay and new co-presenter Cóilí Collins. It will feature a number of performances and conversations captured exclusively as Gaeilge.

Minister of State for the OPW is Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.

“I am delighted that we are shining a light on these sites- each of which is an intrinsic part of their local community and economy and are truly special places for visitors to enjoy.”

RTÉ presenter Philip King is founder of Other Voices.

“The Anam Sessions celebrates Ireland’s heritage buildings and locations kept in store for us by the OPW, through unique performances by contemporary Irish musicians who illustrate the rich diversity of music and culture in Ireland today.”

See The Anam Sessions on youtube.com/@OtherVoicesLive