Irish Music Magazine - November 2025 Issue

COVER STORY

LIVE AT LIBERTY HALL : DEREK WARFIELD & THE YOUNG WOLFE TONES

Seán Laffey meets Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones before their gig at the Coachman Inn, Clonmel, County Tipperary.

FEATURES

ERIN RUTH : TRADITIONS & ORIGINAL WORK
Erin Ruth tells Seán Laffey about her new album.

OLIVIA GRAHAM’S FAERIE SONGBOOK

Seán Laffey puts a call in to York to Olivia Graham, who is creating music with a decidedly Celtic character.

THE BELLES OF ST. LOUIS

Seán Laffey has an international call with Eimear Arkins & Eileen Gannon in St. Louis.

A SONG, A STORY TOLD BY ROBIN JAMES HURT

Robin James Hurt in conversation with Mark Lysaght for Irish Music Magazine.

MICHAEL McGOVERN’S THIN WHITE ROAD

Michael McGovern was in a relaxed mood, enjoying the sunshine in Portugal when Mark Lysaght spoke with him via Zoom recently.

‘FARE THEE WELL ALBERTA’ : BRENDAN MONAGHAN

County Down singer-songwriter Brendan Monaghan’s new single Fare Thee Well Alberta is his first new release since the album Light From The Light That Never Ends on Swiss label Brambus Records a few years ago, writes John O’Regan.

THE BEARTLA Ó FLATHARTA CÉILÍ BAND : AMONGST FRIENDS

Seán Laffey talks to Colm Ó hArgáin about the new album Amongst Friends from The Beartlas.

TALKING ABOUT THE TUNE MACHINE WITH GRAHAM LINDSEY

Seán Laffey has a WhatsApp call with Graham Lindsey in Ottawa.

FESTIVALS

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

RETURN TO LONDON TOWN FESTIVAL 2025

A stellar line-up has been assembled by Karen Ryan and team in what promises to be a mouth-watering four days in London.

CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2025

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 29th year, October 10-18.

TRADFEST 2026

A chance to see the best of Trad and Folk in Dublin next January.

REGULAR

CÚ CHULAINN and FERDIA

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.

EXPERT WHISTLE SKILLS 3 with Mikie Smyth

Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).

STORY BEHIND THE SONG

Beannachtaí Inis Cealtra. The story behind Cyril O’Donoghue’s (R.I.P) final recorded song is brought to us by Seán Laffey.

LIVE REVIEWS

GODERICH CELTIC ROOTS FESTIVAL 2025

After 33 years, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is still thriving and leaving all who attend feeling satiated by the quality and quantity of exceptional artists. Austin Comerton reports.

MILWAUKEE CELEBRATES IRISH MUSIC, CULTURE AND DANCE

Michael Lange gets jiggy as Irish dancing takes centre stage at this year’s Milwaukee Irish Fest!

CD REVIEWS

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

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