Category Archives: Irish Music

Mayo Musician Shines at TradFest

Alannah Thornburgh - Irish Harp

Celebrated Mayo harpist and composer Alannah Thornburgh is set to perform at Dublin’s renowned TradFest, the premier festival of traditional and folk music in Ireland, scheduled for January 2024. TradFest, known for its dynamic showcase of both established and up-and-coming artists, will offer a range of performances across various historic locations in Dublin and Fingal.

Thornburgh, recognized for her exceptional skill on the traditional Irish harp, will grace the stage at Castle Hall on the evening of January 26 at 7 p.m. Her music, acclaimed for its seamless blend of ancient Irish melodies with influences from American Appalachian and jazz traditions, has been hailed for its originality and expressive harmonies.

Her debut single, “The Front,” paid tribute to composer Conor Walsh and earned international praise. A two-time nominee at the RTÉ Folk Awards, Thornburgh has also been featured in an RTÉ documentary and has won the Arts Council’s Next Generation Award.

As a key member of the trio Alfi, she has earned the 2020 US Embassy Creative Minds Award. Fans can anticipate her solo album and another with Alfi in 2023. Thornburgh’s collaborations with artists across genres highlight her versatility and commitment to evolving Irish music.

Irish Traditional Music News

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy TV Series

TG4 is set to air the much-anticipated television series “Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy” starting 26th [...]

Belfast Concert: Barry Kerr, Laura Kerr & Donogh Hennessy, Méabh Meir, and Ó Ghlúin go Glúin

Belfast TradFest in collaboration with Sound of Belfast Festival presents a special concert featuring Barry [...]

Drogheda Welcomes the Return of Its Traditional Music & Singing Weekend

Drogheda, November 24, 2023 – The historic town of Drogheda is once again set to [...]

Bothy Band Reunion at Celtic Connections

Iconic Irish group The Bothy Band will reunite for a rare performance at Celtic Connections [...]

Comprehensive Book on Céilí Bands – On the night

Philip Duffy’s “On the Night: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – Musicians and Senior Céilí Band [...]

Mayo Musician Shines at TradFest

Celebrated Mayo harpist and composer Alannah Thornburgh is set to perform at Dublin’s renowned TradFest, [...]

Altan to perform at Tradfest 2024

Altan, Irish Traditional Music band

The renowned Irish band Altan will take the stage at TradFest 2024, Ireland’s premier traditional music festival, on January 26 at 7:30 pm in Dublin’s Pepper Canister Church. Established nearly 40 years ago by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Altan has been instrumental in Irish traditional music, known for their dynamic dance tunes and poignant songs. TradFest, which runs from January 24-28, 2024, will feature an array of traditional and folk performances across Dublin, from city centers to the historic Fingal coast. This year’s festival promises a blend of iconic and emerging artists, including Janis Ian and Ralph McTell, alongside a diverse program of food markets, outdoor dances, children’s events, and workshops. Tickets and the full lineup are available on the festival’s website, tradfest.com.

Irish Traditional Music News

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy TV Series

TG4 is set to air the much-anticipated television series “Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy” starting 26th [...]

Belfast Concert: Barry Kerr, Laura Kerr & Donogh Hennessy, Méabh Meir, and Ó Ghlúin go Glúin

Belfast TradFest in collaboration with Sound of Belfast Festival presents a special concert featuring Barry [...]

Drogheda Welcomes the Return of Its Traditional Music & Singing Weekend

Drogheda, November 24, 2023 – The historic town of Drogheda is once again set to [...]

Bothy Band Reunion at Celtic Connections

Iconic Irish group The Bothy Band will reunite for a rare performance at Celtic Connections [...]

Comprehensive Book on Céilí Bands – On the night

Philip Duffy’s “On the Night: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – Musicians and Senior Céilí Band [...]

Mayo Musician Shines at TradFest

Celebrated Mayo harpist and composer Alannah Thornburgh is set to perform at Dublin’s renowned TradFest, [...]

The London Lasses Mark 25 Years with New Album ‘LL25’

The renowned Irish music group, The London Lasses, is celebrating a significant milestone with the release of their 25th anniversary album, “LL25”. Known for their powerful and traditional signature sound, the album is a commemorative piece that encapsulates the band’s remarkable journey in the realm of Irish music over the last quarter-century.

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Ronan Browne & Peadar O’Loughlin – Jigs

Ronan Browne & peadar O'Loughlin - Slip jigs

Ronan Browne (uilleann pipes) & Peadar O’Loughlin (fiddle) play 2 slip jigs : Taim in Arrears & Hardiman the Fiddler

 

Paddy Killoran

paddy_killoran

Paddy Killoran (1904-65) was an Irish fiddler, born near Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. He is regarded, along with his mentor James Morrison and the great Michael Coleman, as one of the finest exponents of the south Sligo fiddle style in the “golden age” of the ethnic recording industry of the 1920s and ’30s.

Source: ITMA.ie

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Kitty Hayes

Kitty Hayes

Kitty Hayes (born Smith) was an Irish concertina player from Fahanlunaghta, not far from Lahinch, in West Clare.  Her father Peter was also a concertina player, and played in nearby Miltown Malbay. She married flute and whistle player Josie Hayes, who played with the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band. Music took a back seat as she raised 7 children, and nursed her father then her husband.

She recorded two albums, A touch of Clare and They’ll be Good Yet (with Peter Laban). After her death, Kitty’s daughter, Angela Connaughton produced a CD to remember Kitty and to once more celebrate her music : Kitty Hayes Remembered.  The music on the CD was taken from concerts at the Masters of Tradition in Bantry House which took place in August 2007 and the Kitty Hayes Tribute concert in Glór in Ennis in november 2007.

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Mike Rafferty (flute)

mike_rafferty

Mike Rafferty was an Irish flute player from Ballinakill in Co. Galway, who emigrated to the US and became a major figure in Irish traditional music there.
Born in 1926, he learned his music from his father Barrell Rafferty, who played flute and uilleann pipes. In 1949 he emigrated to the US where he married and raised a family of 5.

He toured all over the US with the group the Green Fields of America, and was influential in the early days of Comhaltas, as a member of the Martin Mulvihill Branch.
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Des Seery Irish Flutes – Demo CD

Below is a series of recordings demonstrating polymer flutes made by Des Seery from Co. Wicklow. Sadly Des is no longer with us, so I’ve kept the CD up here for posterity. I don’t have much information about the recording, other than that the musicians are Pat Fitzpatrick, Eamonn de Barra and Ken Murphy.

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