Delia Murphy was born on February 16, 1902 in Ardroe, Claremorris. Soon the family moved to Mount Jennings in Hollymount. Her father, Jack Murphy from near Hollymount, Co Mayo, made his money during the Klondyke gold rush. While in the USA he married Anna Fanning from Roscrea, Co Tipperary and they returned to live in [...]

More praised than rewarded in his native country, Seosamh O hEanaigh (Joe Einniu) was a great sean-nós singer from Conamara.
He was born in An Aird Thoir near Carna, in the Co Galway Gaeltacht, in 1919. Carna still has a rich tradition of storytelling and singing. Among Seosamh’s neighbours was his lifelong friend*, another accomplished singer, [...]

EWAN McCOLL described him as “the greatest lyrical folk singer in the English language. Paddy Tunney was one of Ireland’s foremost singers. He was also a champion lilter, an entertaining raconteur and an accomplished writer.
He was born in Glasgow on January 28, 1921, one of eight children. His father was also named Patrick and his [...]

Heidi Talbot’s singing had The New York Times and Village Voice reaching to the top shelf for the superlatives. “A voice that is awe-struck and tender,” said The Times while the Voice found it “exquisite.”
Growing up in Kill, Co. Kildare, Talbot sang in the church choir run by her mother, Rosaleen, at the same time [...]