Irish Music Magazine - July 2025 Issue

COVER STORY

FLEADH CHEOIL NA hÉIREANN
Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann returns to Wexford Town this August 3rd - 10th for yet another spectacular session of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

FEATURES

ANDY COONEY Annual Cruise of Irish Stars
Robert Heuston in conversation with Andy Cooney for Irish Music Magazine.

HORSLIPS AT THE BBC
Colin Harper chats to IMM’s John O’Regan.

ODETTE MICHELL
Seán Laffey organised a WhatsApp call to a woodland in rural Cambridge to talk to Odette about her new studio album The Queen of the Lowlands.

COMMUNITY MATTERS AT THE CELTIC JUNCTION ARTS CENTER
Seán Laffey talks to Cormac O’Sé, Board Chair and Concerts Director of Minnesota’s Celtic Junction Arts Center.

‘GALWAY TO FIJI’ THE MUSIC OF FR. KELLY
Máirín Fahy and Patsy Broderick talk to Seán Laffey about their new recording of tunes composed by Fr. Kelly.

DABILLA UNLEASHING THE HOUND OF BOANN
Dabilla are an innovative duo from the Drogheda area of County Louth. Mark Lysaght met them both via Zoom to discuss their progress to date, and plans for the future.

FESTIVALS

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

53rd SCOIL SAMHRAIDH WILLIE CLANCY
Seán Laffey talks to Harry Hughes about this year’s Willie Clancy Week, which runs from Saturday 5th July to Sunday 13th July, 2025.

CATSKILLS IRISH ARTS WEEK JULY 2025
In a world that can feel too fast & too furious, writing a preview for the much-loved & highly respected Catskills Irish Arts Week feels like a real privilege, writes Deirdre Cronin.

BELFAST TRADFEST
Belfast TradFest returns this summer, from July 27th to August 3rd, 2025, with its 7th edition featuring Ireland’s fastest growing Summer School of Traditional Music, and a full programme of concerts, talks, lectures, sessions, céilís & festival clubs.

BOYNE TRADFEST
Seán Laffey talks to Gormlaith Maynes from the Boyne TradFest and discovers what is in store for this comparatively new traditional music festival in Drogheda.

GODERICH CELEBRATES 33 YEARS AUGUST 2025
The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, College & Kids Camp celebrates 33 years of bringing together the cream of Celtic Music in what has been described as Ontario’s prettiest town. Austin Comerton reports.

IOWA IRISH FEST
New Chair of the Fest, Agnes Kress, took time to tell Gráinne McCool a little about what to expect this coming summer.

O’FLAHERTY IRISH MUSIC RETREAT
Midlothian, Texas, October 2025. Seán Laffey talks to the Retreat’s new directors, brother and sister, Katie Duncan and Kevin Fleming.

IRISH FEST OF THE FOX CITIES
A River Runs Through It. Anne Marie Kennedy talks to Mark Hudson about a fall festival of Irish Music in Wisconsin.

FIDDLER’S GREEN FESTIVAL
Seán Laffey talks to Tommy Sands about the famous Rostrevor folk festival that is now in its 37th year.

CALIFORNIA CELTIC FEST
Seán Laffey takes a WhatsApp call with Terry Casey from Orange County where this year’s California Celtic Fest will take place from June 14th to 15th.

REGULAR

LIAM LYNCH
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.

DADGAD Guitar Accompaniment with MJ McMahon
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
St. Helens : Seán Laffey writes that he was very impressed by the quality of the freshly composed folk songs on Odette Michell’s new album, The Queen of the Lowlands.

LIVE REVIEWS

THE WOMEN WE WILL RISE
Storied lyrics, scintillating music. Deirdre Cronin experiences Karan Casey’s theatrical song-cycle at TradFest, Dublin 2025.

MIKE and ELEANOR MAKE SWEET MUSIC
Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley delivered an evening of pure delight for their dedicated fans in a sold-out concert at Malahide Castle on January 23rd, part of TradFest 2025, writes Frank Greally.

TG4 GRADAM CEOIL 2025
University Concert Hall, Limerick, Sunday May 4th 2025. John O’Regan reports for Irish Music Magazine.

CD REVIEWS

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