Joanie Madden is the leader of the US trad group, Cherish the Ladies, and one of the best live performers you will ever see.  Composer of the well known tune “The Cat’s Meow”, she has toured Ireland many times over the years, most recently visiting Portlaoise in 2018. All of…

Michael Coleman (31 January 1891 – 4 January 1945) was a virtuoso Irish fiddler from County Sligo, and a major exponent of the Sligo fiddle style.  An emigrant to the United States, Coleman was the most famous exponent of what is today known as the Sligo fiddle style, which is…

At Danú’s heart is singer and flute player Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, whose song choices are distilled to their essence. Her west Kerry roots shine through the belly-deep reading of Beir Mo Dhúthracht, and her possession of the Child Ballad Lord Gregory beautifully mines its deep connections with the blues. A set featuring an original…

IMRAM is the debut album by Kerry native Deirdre Granville. Deirdre is a multi-instrumentalist and singer and has studied both traditional and classical music from a young age. Deirdre has won numerous awards down through the years and this debut represents her journey in music to date. The word IMRAM…

The Chieftains have been one of the most significant bands ever in the history of traditional Irish music, in its revival, and its popular appeal throughout the world.  They have collaborated with a Who’s Who of musicians down through the years, across traditional Irish music, international folk music, classical musicians,…

For banjo players, John Carty is a strong influence and inspiration.  Considered by many as one of Ireland’s best traditional musicians, Carty plays fiddle, tenor banjo, tenor guitar and occasionally the flute.  He is very interested in the North Connacht traditional music style. Carty was born in London and now…

Their debut album in 2016, this five-piece feature banjo, mandolin, box, guitar, fiddle, pipes and drums.  This write first saw them perform at “5th on Teeling”, in Sligo during the 2014 Fleadh Cheoil, and they have performed continuously since then, including locally here in Portlaoise in the Dunamaise Theatre, where…

This collaboration by Collins (concertina) and McNamara (pipes) features duet playing at its very highest, as well as including accompaniment from Alex Finn, Mick Conneely, Michael Rooney and Padraic O’Reilly.  Tim Collins is strongly associated with the great music festival held in Ennis every year – Consairtin – as well…

The Kilfenora Céilí Band has legendary status and has been around for a long time, featuring many musicians over the generations.  Their repertoire still has traditional dance music, but has also expanded to include songs and arrangements of other musical genres.  This album’s title track reflects that in the cover…

Flute players will want to listen to Kevin Crawford.  Kevin Crawford (born in Birmingham, England) is an Irish flute, tin whistle, Low whistle and bodhrán player. He was born in England to Irish parents from Milltown Malbay, County Clare. He later moved to West Clare to improve his music and…