Irish Music Magazine - June 2026 Issue
COVER STORY
MOYA BRENNAN 1952-2026
An appreciation by Seán Laffey.
FEATURES
MUSIC NETWORK MAY TOUR
Seán Laffey talks to Music Network’s Deirdre Moynihan, who tells him audiences are in for a magical experience when the Máirtín O’Connor Trio and Kathleen MacInnes come together for the first time this coming May.
EILEEN IVERS & THE BRIGIDEENS
The internationally acclaimed Eileen Ivers in conversation with Robert Heuston for Irish Music Magazine.
SINÉAD WILLOX
Seoda Uladh – Jewels of Ulster. Seán Laffey talks to County Armagh singer Sinéad Willox about her new album.
WALTONS TRAD SUMMER SCHOOL MAKES ITS DEBUT IN JULY
Mark Lysaght spoke with New School director John Mardirosian after the school announced their inaugural Trad Summer School, which will be held from July 13 to 18, to find out more about it.
KEEGAN’S FANCY
Seán Laffey talks to Seán Keegan, who has recently released an album with Macdara Ó Faoláin.
CRAOBH SIANSA GAEL LINN 2026
Corn Siansa Gael Linn ag dul go Contae an Chláir!
EAST COAST MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Celebrating the Musical Culture of Atlantic Canada. Seán Laffey talks to Bob Hallet about Atlantic Canada’s East Coast Music Association, which will hold its Annual awards in Sydney, Cape Breton in May.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
BELFAST TRADFEST: TRADITION, PLACE & SHARED SPACE
“As Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, I’m often asked what defines the festival, what gives it its identity in a city and region with such a complex history. The answer lies as much in Belfast itself as in the music we celebrate” - Dónal O’Connor.
THE 18th MINNESOTA IRISH MUSIC WEEKEND
Seán Laffey has a transatlantic call with Norah Rendell, Executive Director at the Minnesota Center for Irish Music, who tells us what to look forward to when a number of highly respected Irish musicians arrive in St. Paul to teach traditional music this June.
GALWAY FOLK FESTIVAL 2026
Anne-Marie Kennedy brings us up to speed with the Galway Folk Festival, which runs from June 3rd to 7th.
THE SPARTA CELTIC FESTIVAL 2026
Gráinne McCool reports on the Sparta Celtic Festival taking place this coming August for Irish Music Magazine.
TUNEFEST DUNGARVAN
June 17th – 21st, 2026. Seán Laffey had a video call with two of the Festival’s organisers, Donnchadh Gough and Valerie O’Gorman.
COBH TRADFEST IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ITS SECOND YEAR
Mark Lysaght spoke with TradFest chairperson Terry Murphy recently via Zoom to find out how the event is taking shape.
REGULARS
BODHRÁN TECHNIQUE WITH JIM HIGGINS
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM.ie).
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Shady Woods of Truagh. Seán Laffey looks into the historic context of a song from County Monaghan.
LIVE REVIEW
PEGGY SEEGER WINS HEARTS AT TRADFEST DUBLIN 2026
Frank Greally reports for Irish Music Magazine on an intimate interview with the folk icon at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul.
CD REVIEWS
Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.
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