Irish Music Magazine - Annual 2026 Issue
COVER STORY
GEAROID McCARTHY’S TIP OF THE HAT
Seán Laffey talks to Foynes born Gearoid McCarthy, who tells us about making his debut studio album Tip of the Hat.
FEATURES
JOHNNY McEVOY STRIKING A CHORD AT 80
Frank Greally talks with folk legend Johnny McEvoy, who is getting ready for a new series of concerts and recordings in 2026.
THE IRISH ROVERS STILL TOURING IN THEIR 61st YEAR
Seán Laffey talks to George Millar who reflects on over 60 years of playing with the Irish Rovers.
FIÁROCK’S AN TÚS
An Tús is Fiárock’s debut album. Seán Laffey asks their bodhrán player Nicolle Fig to get us up to speed with the band’s story.
THE HENRY GIRLS TRACKS IN THE SNOW
It was mid-October when Gráinne McCool spoke to Lorna McLaughlin from The Henry Girls, who explained that they were just at the end of a busy spell of work and starting to unwind.
CALICELTIC’S PADDY PARADISE
John O’Regan catches up with the Californian based group, CaliCeltic for Irish Music Magazine.
IRISH GUITAR ACADEMY LAUNCHING ONLINE
Mark Lysaght spoke to Aodán Coyne recently via Zoom to find out more about this exciting project.
ÉILÍS KENNEDY SETTING POETRY TO MUSIC
John O’Regan asks Éilís Kennedy, “what is it about Dingle that appeals to you so much?”
JOANIE MADDEN IS LOOKING BACK & LOOKING FORWARD
Seán Laffey puts some questions to Joanie Madden as she sails the Caribbean with one of her Irish Music Cruises.
JOHNNY DUHAN A WORDSMITH SUPREME
Bard of Song and Rhyme. Frank Greally writes a tribute to his friend, the late Johnny Duhan, with fond memories of Johnny shared by Christy Moore, Dolores Keane, Mick Hanly, & others.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK WITH NEREA THE FIDDLER
Nerea grew up in Canada to French & Spanish parents. After living on several continents she has recently moved back to Canada. Gráinne McCool reports.
THE IRISH LASSIES
Immigration Stories rooted in reality. John O’Regan introduces the band to our readers.
WOLF LOESCHER CHILD OF ALBA
Wolf’s newest album celebrates Scotland’s music, history, and heritage. Seán Laffey asks Wolf to fill in the details.
HARK! AN IRISH CHRISTMAS WITH RUNA
Seán Laffey asks Shannon Lambert-Ryan and Fionán de Barra about RUNA’s plans for music at Christmas time..
TIM COLLINS WEAVING THE TUNE
“It’s hard to believe that it is 21 years since I recorded my debut solo album Dancing on Silver. Music is still absolutely at my core. It’s what animates and inspires me and it’s what allows me to be creative,” Tim Collins told Seán Laffey.
DOIMNIC MAC GIOLLA BHRÍDE
In his new book, Gealach na gCuanta, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde uncovers the forgotten connection between sean-nós (old style) songs and the Gaelic harping tradition. Seán Laffey finds out more.
BRENDAN GRAHAM THE ARROW OF TIME
Brendan Graham is now in his 80th year and he has recently released his debut album, The Arrow of Time. He took time out to chat to IMM’s Seán Laffey.
CLAREEN BANJOS FORTY-SEVEN YEARS IN BUSINESS
Seán Laffey talks to Fintan Cussen about the work that goes on at Clareen Banjos in Clarinbridge, County Galway.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MIKAM SOUND (And MOSCODESIGN)
1975-2025. Seán Laffey in conversation with Mick O’Gorman for Irish Music Magazine.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
TULSA IRISH FEST 2026 A BIG IRISH CELEBRATION ON ROUTE 66
Founded in 2018, the festival is still a relatively young festival. However, it is one that is going from strength to strength, said Donald Burdick, President of Tulsa Irish Festival.
TRADFEST 2026 : THE VERY BEST OF TRAD & FOLK
TradFest is firmly established as Ireland’s leading Trad and Folk festival. Now in its 21st year, TradFest is bringing some of the biggest names in Trad and Folk to Dublin.
BELFAST TRADFEST 2026
Belfast TradFest will bring a vibrant celebration of traditional music, song, and dance back to Belfast from 26 July to 2 August 2026.
NYAH 2026
County Cavan Traditional Music Festival Weekends. Seán Laffey is in conversation with Martin Donohoe for Irish Music Magazine.
REGULARS
A CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS
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.
SONGS IN IRISH with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM.ie).
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
The Unicorn: A myth that sold millions. Seán Laffey delves into a mythical creature and its power to propel a folk band through 6 decades of music.
LIVE REVIEWS
KARAN CASEY, NIALL VALLELY, EILÍS LAVELLE
Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, October 15th 2025. Mick Walsh reports for Irish Music Magazine.
CD REVIEWS
Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.
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