Irish Music Magazine - April 2025 Issue

COVER STORY

SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN, IMAGINE NOW THE WAIT IS OVER
Seán Laffey in conversation with Shane Hayes for Irish Music Magazine to discuss the new album Waiting for Inspiration.

FEATURES

NORTHERN SKY
The Friel Sisters’ latest album is a deep dive into the songs and music of Donegal, writes Seán Laffey, who talked to Clare Friel in February. She was at home in Donegal.

KINNFOLK’S STAR IS RISING ABOVE THE MOUNTAIN
Husband and wife, Josh and Julie Kinn, who perform as Kinnfolk, have recently released their third album Star Above the Mountain. Seán Laffey put in a zoom call to Appalachia to find out how they are keeping it Celtic on their new recording.

SLIOCHT : TRACING THE TUNES WITH FRANCES MORTON
Seán Laffey talks to Frances about her debut album.

NICOLLE’S FIGLINE SIGNATURE BODHRÁNS
Seán Laffey talks to Kildare based Nicolle Fig about her signature-line bodhráns and the care and craft that goes into making them and their accessories.

READ MUSIC THE TRAD WAY
Seán Laffey hears how this course from Dr Liz Doherty is designed for all Irish traditional musicians on any melody instrument.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
We continue our new series of stories, Let The Memories Be, brought to you by the legend of Irish Music that is Johnny McEvoy.

THE FENIANS
California’s Celtic ambassadors The Fenians have been delighting audiences for over three decades now, and founder member and lead singer Terry Casey took some time to update John O’Regan on their progress.

SIANSA GAEL LINN FINAL 2025
The SIANSA GAEL LINN 2025 Final will be held in the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Sunday, 23 March 2025. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will broadcast the concert.

HAMMERSMITH IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE LONDON
Seán Laffey talks to William Foote, the Centre Director of the Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre.

CÉILÍ PURRFECTION WITH THE LILIES OF THE MIDWEST
The Lilies of the Midwest, a rising traditional Irish music trio from Madison, Wisconsin, are set to release their highly anticipated album Cats’ Céilí in the Spring of 2025. Gráinne McCool finds out more.

DAMIEN QUINN’S FLEADH TOWN IS KEEPING THE FLAME LIT
Mark Lysaght in conversation with Damien Quinn for Irish Music Magazine.

IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC COURSE AT TRAMORE ROAD CAMPUS
Gráinne McCool found out some more about this course from its Course Director, Conor Arkins.

FESTIVALS

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

KVMR CELTIC FESTIVAL
The effervescent Annie O’Dea Hestbeck took time out from her busy schedule to tell Gráinne McCool all about the KVMR Celtic Festival in Nevada County.

NYAH IS SECURING CAVAN’S ENDURING TRADITIONAL LEGACY
Seán Laffey talks to Martin Donohoe about this year’s NYAH festival, which runs in Cavan town over the St. Patrick’s Weekend, from the 14th -17th of March.

MAURICE O’KEEFFE FESTIVAL
The 24th Annual Maurice O’Keeffe Festival will take place from April 16th to 21st, 2025, in Kiskeam and Ballydesmond, Co. Cork.

REGULARS

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER TIN WHISTLE with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM.ie).

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
This month, Seán Laffey takes us to north-west Donegal and the town of Crolly for an emigration song.

LIVE REVIEW

THE DUBLINERS ENCORE
University of Limerick Concert Hall, Friday January 31st, 2025. John O’Regan reports.

CD REVIEWS

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