Irish Music Magazine - November 2024 Issue
COVER STORY
GALWAY TRADFEST BY MUSIC GENERATION GALWAY COUNTY ANNOUNCED
The inaugural Galway TradFest, a new initiative by Music Generation Galway County, will take place across Galway from Monday 11th – Sunday 17th, November 2024.
FEATURES
18 JOHN SPILLANE’s MAGNUM OPUS – FÍORUISCE
Mark Lysaght had the pleasure of speaking with John via Zoom recently to find out more about Fíoruisce, which is a remarkable piece of work.
20 DAMIAN McKEE’S MOYOLA COTTAGE
Seán Laffey put in a phone call to Damian McKee to talk about the new solo album Moyola Cottage. Summer was busy for Damian with live album launches and teaching music.
22 THREE MAKE AN ODYSSEY
Seán Laffey talks to fiddler Tara Breen, concertina player Pádraig Rynne and guitarist Jim Murray about their new album, Odyssey.
24 CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Seán Laffey asks Dawn Beaton, the Artistic Director of Celtic Colours, “what’s in store at this year’s edition?”
26 EMER DUNNE : RUNNING BACK TO YOU
Singer Emer Dunne has enjoyed great success since her first album was released in 2021 - she has just issued a new single Running Back To You and as Mark Lysaght discovers, her future looks bright!
FESTIVALS
50 A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
41 RETURN TO LONDON TOWN
The 26th annual festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance ‘Return to London Town’ (RtLT) is back; Karen Ryan tells us what to expect.
52 WILLIAM KENNEDY PIPING FESTIVAL
Seán Laffey talks to Caoimhín Vallely, the festival’s artistic director, who tells us what is in store in Armagh this coming November.
54 CELTIC COLOURS RETURNS FOR ITS 28th YEAR
The very best of Cape Breton Island will be on display during nine magical days and nights of music, dance, scenery, and hospitality when the Celtic Colours International Festival—presented by TD Bank Group—returns for its 28th year, October 11-19.
56 TradFest20
20 years of Ireland’s biggest celebration of trad & folk music.
58 GIRVAN FOLK FESTIVAL MAY 2025
Seán Laffey chats to Neil McDermott who recalls some of the history and describes the character of the festival.
REGULARS
50 A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland and abroad.
28 MUSIC & HEALING
In Part 9 of the series, Bruce S. Victor MD, DLFAPA discusses Studies in Rhythm and Healing with a focus on Irish Set Dancing for Parkinson’s and Dementia.
30 PRACTICE MADE EASY With Play Along Practice Tracks
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).
40 MEET THE RADIO PRESENTER
Sharon Iberle of Ireland Tonight in Chicago in conversation with Robert Heuston.
49 THE LEGENDS SERIES
Chapter 41: Nollaig Casey. An appreciation by Mark Lysaght for Irish Music Magazine.
66 STORY BEHIND THE SONG
The Roving Journeyman is the title of Niall Hanna’s recent own label album. This month Seán Laffey rambles around the history of the song, which, he tells us, has been around for two hundred years.
LIVE REVIEWS
39 FESTIVAL INTERCELTIQUE DE LORIENT 2024
Philippe Cousin reports that the world’s largest Celtic festival was once again a series of superb encounters with youth to the fore.
60 A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF IRISH MUSIC & CULTURE
Michael Lange highlights some of the richness and magic that is Milwaukee Irish Fest.
39 FESTIVAL INTERCELTIQUE DE LORIENT 2024
Philippe Cousin reports that the world’s largest Celtic festival was once again a series of superb encounters with youth to the fore.
60 A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF IRISH MUSIC & CULTURE
Michael Lange highlights some of the richness and magic that is Milwaukee Irish Fest.
39 FESTIVAL INTERCELTIQUE DE LORIENT 2024
Philippe Cousin reports that the world’s largest Celtic festival was once again a series of superb encounters with youth to the fore.
CD REVIEWS
Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.
SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
60 A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF IRISH MUSIC & CULTURE
Michael Lange highlights some of the richness and magic that is Milwaukee Irish Fest.
