Irish Music Magazine - December 2025 Issue

COVER STORY

DAN McCABE IS LIVING THE DREAM

Seán Laffey asks Dan about his background and the making of his new album.

FEATURES

ALTAN : REFLECTING ON THE ROAD

It was the 9th of October, the day before Altan would celebrate their 40th anniversary with a special gig at Derry’s Guildhall, when Seán Laffey phoned Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh in Gaoth Dobhair to find out more about the past, present and future of Altan.

CELTIC WOMAN’S CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY

Muirgen O’Mahony took time out of her busy schedule to tell Gráinne McCool more about the tour and their new album.

MICHAEL BANAHAN GOES BACK TO HIS SOLO ROOTS

Michael Banahan in conversation with Mark Lysaght to discuss his new solo album.

IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE CALENDAR 2026

Brought to you in association with the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO).

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR TRAD ON THE PROM

As we come to the end of 2025, Seán Laffey asks Chris Kelly, guitar player and producer of Trad on the Prom about their 21st season and their plans for 2026.

SMOKIN’ IN ENNIS

Floriane Blancke, Quentin Cooper and Brian Fleming are launching their innovative, much awaited CD, Smokin’ at Ennis Tradfest on November 9th. Anne-Marie Kennedy brings us the story of their new album.

FRANCES MORTON SLIOCHT : PLAYING IT STRAIGHT

Flute player Frances Morton tells Seán Laffey about her year of bringing Sliocht, and its mix of Irish and Scottish traditional music to audiences from Ireland to Italy (and Scotland too).

SPILLING THE TEA WITH MARY-GRACE AUTUMN LEE

In August, Pennsylvania based Mary-Grace Autumn Lee came third in the Over-18 miscellaneous instrument competition at the All Ireland Fleadh in Wexford; Seán Laffey asks her how did she find the whole experience?

GERRY HANLEY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT

Seán Laffey put a WhatsApp call into Galway as Storm Amy was shaking hands with our west coast.

THE FÓGUES : THE PRIDE OF THE GOLDEN VALE

John O’Regan talks to Ted O’Brien about The Fógues and their new album Golden Vale.

BETWEEN US THE HARP : KAREN MARSHALSAY

John O’Regan finds out that Karen Marshalsay’s music draws on a wealth of experiences.

FESTIVALS

TRADFEST 2026 – THE BEST OF TRAD & FOLK in DUBLIN NEXT JANUARY

TradFest is firmly established as Ireland’s leading Trad and Folk festival.

REGULAR

CONCERTINA FOUNDATIONS

with Caroline Keane Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).

ALL SOULS NIGHT

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.

STORY BEHIND THE SONG

The Newry Highwayman: Seán Laffey tells us that this song has recently been resurrected by the Irish-American band Solas and you can find their version currently trending on YouTube.

LIVE REVIEWS

GODERICH CELTIC ROOTS FESTIVAL 2025

After 33 years, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is still thriving and leaving all who attend feeling satiated by the quality and quantity of exceptional artists. Austin Comerton reports.

FESTIVAL INTERCELTIQUE DE LORIENT 2025

Michael 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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