A comprehensive research report on the challenges, opportunities and supports currently available to traditional arts practitioners in Ireland raises a number of crucial issues about the current state of the sector and its potential development in the future.

Though widely acclaimed as one of Ireland’s leading traditional singers, Rita Gallagher has never been tempted to make a full-time career out of her undoubted gift. The reason is quite simple, singing is her passion – not her profession.

Daoirí Farrell reflects on his career from his earliest encounters with folk and traditional music right through to his award-winning albums and burgeoning reputation as a live performer.

In recent weeks a series of posts have appeared on social media platforms under the hashtag #misefosta (#metoo) calling out various forms of sexual abuse – including assault – within traditional and folk music in Ireland.

n just over a year Niall has produced four significant musical works – 78 Revolutions, Concerto for Concertina and Orchestra, Sounds Like Freedom and Macha – wiyh each project having a very distinctive character.

The appointment of Liam O’Connor as the new Director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) has met with universal approval in the traditional music ‘community.’

Traditional music and dance is integral to Nic Gareiss’ life. “It is a mode of being in the world,” he says. Because the culture is so crucial to him, he is driven to question its more arbitrary conventions.

Though the subject of our conversation was supposed to be his two most recent projects, it quickly developed into a wide-ranging engagement coloured by experiences and observations drawn from a lifetime in music.

This year marks the centenary of the birth of Séamus Ennis, consummate uilleann piper, and prodigious collector of music, songs and folklore.

Shut up and play! Do elements of traditional/folk music discourage diversity?