Irish Music Magazine - August 2026 Issue
COVER STORY
MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST
Milwaukee Irish Fest returns to the shores of Lake Michigan August 13-16, 2026, bringing together Celtic music and culture at Henry Maier Festival Park in downtown Milwaukee.
FEATURES
BEYOND BOUNDARIES : EXPLORING THE MANY MUSICAL WORLDS OF SINA THEIL
From acclaimed festival stages and international performances to innovative collaborations and exciting new ventures, Sina Theil continues to redefine her artistic journey while proudly bringing the spirit of Irish music to audiences across the globe.
DAMIEN DEMPSEY’S HOLYWELL
With two weeks to go before the launch of Damien Dempsey’s eleventh album, Holywell, Damien tells Seán Laffey that the songs on the album resonate deeply with his childhood in Donaghmede on Dublin’s north side.
RISE : FROM CONCERTINA PLAYER CAROLINE KEANE
Seán Laffey chats with Caroline Keane, who was at home in County Kerry, having recently returned from teaching traditional music in the USA.
THE STARRY LANE TO MONAGHAN
Anne Marie Kennedy talks to Sabina McCague and Padraig McGovern.
CHASING THE CYLINDER : DAN POSSUMATO AND THE MELODEON’S FORGOTTEN MASTERS
Maine-based melodeon player Dan Possumato talks to IMM’s Seán Laffey about a new album rooted in the very origins of recorded Irish music.
THE McDADES ARE THREADING THE LIGHT
Solon McDade talks to IMM’s John O’Regan.
WORTH THE RISK CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES
Seán Laffey had a call with Lexie Boatright and Cara Wildman of the band The Consequences in early June. They give our readers a deep insight into their process of making their new album.
THE NEW AVOURNEEN ALBUM IS GOING PLACES!
Avourneen are an innovative and acclaimed trio based in Denver Colorado, USA, and have just released a new album called Way Stations, a mix of original compositions and traditional Irish tunes and songs, writes Mark Lysaght.
BOXING ROBIN : LAND OF THE NOON-DAY MOON
Seán Laffey has a video call with the duo Boxing Robin, multi-instrumentalists Rick Cunningham (button accordions, bouzouki, mandolin, and low whistle), and Gypsy Youngraven (vocals, guitar, bodhrán, and Hurdy Gurdy).
JAMIE TOOMEY’ S DRIFTLINES
Seán Laffey talks to Galway-based guitarist Jamie Toomey whose 5-track EP Driftlines is his first release on the Netherlands label OOB Records.
TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Uilleann piper Aaron Dolan’s most recent album was the 14 track Towards The Future, which is available on Spotify, writes Gráinne McCool.
BEYOND BOUNDARIES : EXPLORING THE MANY MUSICAL WORLDS OF SINA THEIL
From acclaimed festival stages and international performances to innovative collaborations and exciting new ventures, Sina Theil continues to redefine her artistic journey while proudly bringing the spirit of Irish music to audiences across the globe.
DAMIEN DEMPSEY’S HOLYWELL
With two weeks to go before the launch of Damien Dempsey’s eleventh album, Holywell, Damien tells Seán Laffey that the songs on the album resonate deeply with his childhood in Donaghmede on Dublin’s north side.
RISE : FROM CONCERTINA PLAYER CAROLINE KEANE
Seán Laffey chats with Caroline Keane, who was at home in County Kerry, having recently returned from teaching traditional music in the USA.
THE STARRY LANE TO MONAGHAN
Anne Marie Kennedy talks to Sabina McCague and Padraig McGovern.
CHASING THE CYLINDER : DAN POSSUMATO AND THE MELODEON’S FORGOTTEN MASTERS
Maine-based melodeon player Dan Possumato talks to IMM’s Seán Laffey about a new album rooted in the very origins of recorded Irish music.
THE McDADES ARE THREADING THE LIGHT
Solon McDade talks to IMM’s John O’Regan.
WORTH THE RISK CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES
Seán Laffey had a call with Lexie Boatright and Cara Wildman of the band The Consequences in early June. They give our readers a deep insight into their process of making their new album.
THE NEW AVOURNEEN ALBUM IS GOING PLACES!
Avourneen are an innovative and acclaimed trio based in Denver Colorado, USA, and have just released a new album called Way Stations, a mix of original compositions and traditional Irish tunes and songs, writes Mark Lysaght.
BOXING ROBIN : LAND OF THE NOON-DAY MOON
Seán Laffey has a video call with the duo Boxing Robin, multi-instrumentalists Rick Cunningham (button accordions, bouzouki, mandolin, and low whistle), and Gypsy Youngraven (vocals, guitar, bodhrán, and Hurdy Gurdy).
JAMIE TOOMEY’ S DRIFTLINES
Seán Laffey talks to Galway-based guitarist Jamie Toomey whose 5-track EP Driftlines is his first release on the Netherlands label OOB Records.
TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Uilleann piper Aaron Dolan’s most recent album was the 14 track Towards The Future, which is available on Spotify, writes Gráinne McCool.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
FLEADH CHEOIL NA hÉIREANN 2026
The Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, is coming to Belfast for the very first time from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August 2026.
IRISH MUSIC, DANCE & CULTURE TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN DUBLIN, OHIO, USA
Each summer, the sounds of fiddles, pipes and dancing feet fill Coffman Park as one of the world’s largest Irish festivals returns to Dublin, Ohio.
FEAKLE FESTIVAL 2026
Anne Marie Kennedy in conversation with Aoife Hayes for Irish Music Magazine.
NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CELTIC MUSIC
Artistic Director Cheryl Prashker reflects on the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and its renowned College and Kids Camp, in conversation with Robert Heuston.
REGULARS
POLLY
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.
BANJO PROGRESSIONS with Alan Reid
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).
STORY BEHIND THE SONG : THE COOLIN
The song is the opening track on Damien Dempsey’s new album, Holywell. In our interview with him in this issue, he recalls hearing it in a singing session in Manorhamilton, writes Seán Laffey.
CD REVIEWS
Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.
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