Irish Music Magazine - March 2026 Issue
COVER STORY
PAT FLEMING
Keeping the Sliabh Luachra flame burning brightly. Pat Fleming in conversation with Seán Laffey for Irish Music Magazine.
FEATURES
MUSIC NETWORK CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Seán Laffey talks to Deirdre Moynihan, Music Network’s Head of Programmes.
CARA DILLON NOW HAS A DEEPER PERSPECTIVE ON COMING HOME
Seán Laffey talks to Cara Dillon, who will be bringing her Coming Home show to London’s Cadogan Hall and other venues this spring.
SEÁN Ó SÉ REMEMBERED
An Appreciation by Seán Laffey.
STIRRING THE BLOOD TO FIRE
Seán Laffey talks to fiddler Seán Heely and bouzouki & bass player Beth Patterson about their new duo album: Stir The Blood To Fire.
TAPESTRY’S PIGEON TOWER
Tapestry is a duo consisting of Jane and Steve Gerrity based in Cheshire, in Northwest England, writes John O’ Regan.
CHUNKY BUSINESS
Seán Laffey talks Chunky Business with Gary Curley & Stephen McKee.
REILLY’S “MILWONKEE”
John O’Regan introduces us to the band, Reilly, 2-time winners of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for Celtic band of the year.
THE IRISH MANDOLIN GATHERING
Mark Lysaght spoke with the three organisers: Marla Fibish, Seán Keegan and Macdara Ó Faoláin, to find out more.
AELDFIRE’S ELEMENTS
Seán Laffey talks to the duo Aeldfire about home-studio recording, the Irish session scene in Finland and walking the cat in the forest.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
MEITHEAL 2026
The year rolls round and the Meitheal team is getting in gear with arrangements for next July.
BELFAST TRADFEST 2026
Belfast TradFest will bring a vibrant celebration of traditional music, song, and
dance back to Belfast from 26 July to 2 August 2026.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE BOYNE TRADFEST – SEPTEMBER 2026
It is early January and Seán Laffey puts in a call to Gormlaith Maynes, who runs the events company Mayne Stage. She is the event manager and organiser of the Boyne TradFest.
REGULARS
THE GHOSTS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
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.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER BUTTON ACCORDION with Alan Finn
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM.ie)
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Seán Laffey considers a song that has been covered by Paul Brady and many others. Cara Dillon sang it on her live DVD recording The Redcastle Sessions in 2008.
LIVE REVIEWS
SCOIL GHEIMHRIDH GHAOTH DOBHAIR
As they do every winter, lovers of Donegal music gathered from 27th December to 1st January for Scoil Gheimhridh in Ghaoth Dobhair. Philippe Cousin 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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