With support from the Government of Ireland – Emigrant Support Programme, ITMA is delighted to present a comprehensive digital exhibition of Irish traditional music recorded in New York from the late 19th century to the present day.

Curated by New York musician and historian Don Meade and folklorist Rónán Galvin, the exhibition showcases rare recordings, stories and photographs relating to New York’s remarkably rich traditional Irish music heritage.

The at-risk materials have now been preserved and will be freely accessible to a global audience. Irish traditional music recorded in New York forms part of an invaluable cultural treasure of national and international significance and the story of how the tradition migrated from rural Ireland to the USA is central to our cultural history.

This unique project will help renew the deep cultural bonds between Ireland and the USA through increased digital connectedness and meaningful engagement. As a valuable learning resource, it provides a bridge between our thriving creative traditional arts sector at home and those increasingly disparate groups who identify with Irish heritage and culture in NYC.

About ITMA

Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is the national public archive and resource centre for Irish traditional music, song and dance, and the globally-recognised specialist advisory agency to advance appreciation, knowledge, and the practice of Irish traditional music.

Established in 1987 and funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the role of ITMA is to:

collect and preserve the historical and contemporary materials of Irish traditional music, particularly those that are at risk;

organise and describe these materials according to international standards of archival and library practice to create collections that are discoverable by all;

present and publish content from our collections in ways that enhance the living tradition;

contribute to the knowledge base of traditional music, and engage with our diverse audiences worldwide.

Acknowledgements

ITMA would like to extend their sincere thanks to:

Our Funders:

Government of Ireland – Emigrant Support Programme

The Emigrant Support Programme is a tangible expression of the Government’s support of, commitment to, and interest in the global Irish community. It aims to strengthen the international Irish community and its bond with Ireland. Through this programme, the Government wants to fund projects that will have a clear and indentifiable impact on supporting and building global Irish communities. The Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs manages and coordinates the programme in partnership with Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates abroad. Since its inception in 2004, the Emigrant Support Programme has assisted over 530 organisations in over 36 countries with grants totalling over €200 million. Grants have ranged from small amounts for grass-roots groups to major allocations awarded to voluntary and community organisations operating on a large scale.

Arts Council of Ireland

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Office of Public Works

Supporters:

Conor Long, Yvonne Ellison, Nigel Hutson and Seán Cunniffe of the Irish Abroad Unit

Contributors:

Don Meade, Rónán Galvin, Mary and Terry Rafferty, Seán Quinn, Tommy Mulvihill, Alan Morrisroe, John Blake, Harry Bradshaw, Marion Casey, Mary Coogan, Aidan Connolly, Brian Conway, Fionn MacGiolla Cudda, Frank Dalton, Brendan Dolan, Rachael Gilkey, Emmett Gill, Daithí Gormley, Dan Gurney, Irish Arts Center New York, Martin Koenig, Paul Kolnik, Vincent McGrath, Joanie Madden, Marianne Mangan, Mick Moloney, Pat Mullins, Lawrence Muresan, Iris Nevins, Richard Nevins, Eileen O’Brien, Mick O’Connor, Martin O’Connell, Barry Ó Séanáin, Richard Piggott, Deb Putman, John Ridge, Eimear Ryan-Charleton, Neal Warshaw, Nick Whitmer and Kestrel Wolgemuth.

For information on re-using material in this exhibition please see the Copyright and Notice and Take Down Procedure pages on the ITMA website.  Further questions can be directed to [email protected]