Irish Music Magazine - July 2026 Issue
COVER STORY
BELFAST TRADFEST 2026
Belfast TradFest offers a week filled with outstanding performances, inspiring learning opportunities and unforgettable experiences.
FEATURES
THE 54th SCOIL SAMHRAIDH WILLIE CLANCY
Seán Laffey talks with Harry Hughes, the administrator of the Summer School, who gives us a preview of some of what is on offer this year. Mark your calendar, it will be held from 4th to 12th of July in Miltown Malbay, County Clare.
DERVISH ARE BACK WITH VOLUME 2
Dervish recently released the second album in their Great Irish Song Book series. Seán Laffey had a call with their accordion player, Shane Mitchell, during their Culture Ireland supported UK spring tour.
MEET ALLY THE PIPER
Robert Heuston in conversation with Ally for Irish Music Magazine.
MARK ANTHONY McGRATH REIMAGINING CAROLAN
Acclaimed guitarist Mark Anthony McGrath has recently recorded a solo album Carolan, devoted to the music of Turlough O’Carolan, the legendary blind harper whose music has enthralled so many lovers of his distinctive compositions, writes Mark Lysaght.
SEÁN-PÓL O’PEATÁIN NEO-DRUIDIC BARD & THE SONG OF AMERGIN
Seán Laffey has a long chat with Sligo based Seán-Pól O’Peatáin, whose latest single Amergin is a way into the foundation myth of Ireland, and that connection to our ancient lore is something Seán-Pól has been exploring in depth for many years.
DESI WILKINSON : FLUTE PLAYER AND SCHOLAR (RIP)
Seán Laffey looks back on Desi Wilkinson’s musical career.
AILIE ROBERTSON’S ECHOES FROM TORLOISK
Multi-award-winning composer and harpist from Scotland, Ailie Robertson, has released Echoes from Torloisk, a compelling new album that brings rare, unpublished harp music into the present, and highlights the deep connections between the Irish and Scottish harp traditions, writes Gráinne McCool.
JAMES HOULAHAN IS ON A WING
Seán Laffey puts a call in to the west coast of America and talks to James Houlahan.
THE DIRTY WELLIES : FROM MAYO TO CHICAGO
Chicago’s The Dirty Wellies were formally established in 2011, and since then their trajectory has been one of steady growth and evolution, writes John O’Regan.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
FLEADH CHEOIL NA hÉIREANN BELFAST
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.
A WARM WELCOME AWAITS AT THE SOUTH SLIGO SUMMER SCHOOL
Anne Marie Kennedy spoke with committee member Seána Haughey, who recalls that her connection with the Summer School began when she was a student herself.
IOWA IRISH FESTIVAL CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS
Seán Laffey talks to Agnes Kress of the Iowa Irish Fest. She begins by telling us how it all started twenty years ago.
O’FLAHERTY IRISH MUSIC RETREAT
A music camp in the heart of Midlothian from 22nd to the 25th of October 2026. Seán Laffey talks to siblings Katie Duncan and Kevin Fleming about teaching Irish music at The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.
FIDDLER’S GREEN 2026 IS A MUSICAL FEAST
The Fiddler’s Green International Festival is a long-established musical and cultural event held in Rostrevor, County Down. This year it will run from Tuesday 14th to Sunday 19th of July, writes Mark Lysaght.
JOHN O’NEILL FOLK AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Seán Laffey speaks with festival organiser Clare McCrystal, who tells him how a heartfelt tribute has grown into one of the most anticipated traditional music weekends in Ulster.
REGULARS
WEST CLARE FIDDLE TUNES with Therese McInerney
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM.ie).
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Here’s a Health to the Company. Seán Laffey pieces together a song that would make an ideal way to end a night of ballad singing and it has a rousing chorus too.
LIVE REVIEW
MANCHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL
Doyle, McCusker & McGoldrick and more at Manchester Folk Festival. Dave McNally reports for Irish Music Magazine.
