Irish Music Magazine - June 2025 Issue

COVER STORY

SHASKEEN FROM THE START TO THE FUTURE
Seán Laffey talks to Tom Cussen, the Clarinbridge banjo maker, who founded the Shaskeen band 55 years ago.

FEATURES

GOLD & COAL IS A DOUBLE DELIGHT FROM CASSIE AND MAGGIE
Seán Laffey in conversation with siblings Cassie and Maggie MacDonald on route to play at Tampa Bay Irish’s Moonshine Celtic Concert in Dunedin, Florida.

ACROSS THE GLEN : AILBE GRACE & LIAM FLANAGAN & MICK O’ CONNOR
Accordion player Ailbe Grace talks to IMM’s Seán Laffey about making an album that has been described by Custy’s Music as “such sweet, entrancing music on fiddle and accordion which you could happily listen and tap to for as long as the musical dream lasted”.

GERARD FAHY and THE WILD ATLANTIC ORCHESTRA
Seán Laffey talks to piper and composer Gerard Fahy about his musical roots and his new album with the Wild Atlantic Orchestra.

PJ HERNON CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MUSIC MAKING
For a man who is in his seventh decade, PJ Hernon is remarkably energetic. His talk is animated and exciting, he exudes a passion for music and the craft of the musician. I wondered why? writes Seán Laffey.

DON “BANJO” SMITH CELEBRATES HIS LONG CAREER
Mark Lysaght in conversation with Don “Banjo” Smith for Irish Music Magazine.

ON THE LASH
John O’Regan writes… The debut 5 track EP Fireside from On The Lash entered my consciousness with alarming results. Their vivacity and kinetic energy is highly contagious and hugely enjoyable.

FESTIVALS

A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.

BELFAST TRADFEST
Celebrating Traditional Music, Song & Dance in the Heart of Belfast.

THE ALL IRELAND FLEADH IS COMING BACK TO WEXFORD
Seán Laffey talks to Eimear Kennedy from Wexford County Council. She tells us about the preparations that are underway for the All Ireland Fleadh, which will be held in the town from August 3rd to 10th, 2025.

SOUTH SLIGO SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
Anne Marie Kennedy spoke to Seána Haughey about its history and achievements.

BLAS PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Mark Lysaght spoke with Blas co-directors Breandán de Gallaí and Conor Caldwell to find out more.

THE SPARTA CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
Gráinne McCool discovers that the Sparta Celtic Music Festival is a free, family-friendly event, celebrating the seven Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia. The festival’s motto, “One Village - Seven Nations”, highlights its commitment to honouring the full spectrum of Celtic culture.

TUNEFEST DUNGARVAN
Seán Laffey talks to Valerie O’Gorman about this June’s Dungarvan TuneFest.

PASSING ON THE TRADITION AT THE MINNESOTA IRISH MUSIC WEEKEND
Anne Marie Kennedy in conversation with Norah Rendell for Irish Music Magazine.

REGULAR

HELLO MUM
We continue our series of stories, songs and poems titled Let The Memories Be, brought to you by the legend of Irish Music that is Johnny McEvoy.

GUITAR TECHNIQUE with Cillian Ó’Dálaigh
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
My Lagan Love : Gerard Fahy has created a contemporary version of the song on his latest album Gerard Fahy and the Wild Atlantic Orchestra,
writes Seán Laffey.

LIVE REVIEWS

Mick Hanly Finds His True Voice
Mick Hanly received a warm reception from a large crowd of dedicated fans at his concert on January 24th at the Millbank Theatre in Rush, County Dublin - one of the events in the excellent TradFest 2025 programme. Frank Greally reports.

CD REVIEWS

Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.