Darren Loughran is a guitarist and is studying for an MA in Musicology and Performance in Maynooth University.  He has researched and presented this guest blog as part of his coursework.

To mark the anniversary of the death of virtuoso uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn (1945–2018), piper, composer and artist, Barry Kerr, reflects on the time he spent as recipient of the Liam O'Flynn Award from the Arts Council of Ireland/National Concert Hall in 2020. That time included investigating the Liam O’Flynn collection at ITMA wherein he found much inspiration.

To mark International Women's Day 2021 ITMA is delighted to publish this special blog in honour of fiddle player Aggie Whyte (1920–1979). Compiled by her grandson Michael Harrison it is a most fitting celebration on this day to honour this Galway woman's unique contribution to Irish traditional music.

Michael Coleman (1891–1945) is regarded by many as the most influential Irish traditional musician of the 20thcentury. In New York in 1921, Coleman produced the first of over 40 commercial 78 rpm discs encompassing over 80 tracks of fiddle playing which have left an indelible mark on Irish traditional music. One hundred years after his first recording, Coleman’s influence on the tradition, in both a direct and an indirect way, can still be heard. 

Drawing from the Well Season 2 continues with leading instrumentalists, singers and dancers engaging with archival material to create new work.

On Culture Night, 18 September 2020, 'Duala: a film' by Jack Talty and Maurice Gunning, premiered online at ITMA and in Glór, Ennis, Co. Clare. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions the Q/A session following the screening in Glór was restricted to a very small live audience.  We are especially delighted to join the film makers in this blog, to find out more about the making of 'Duala: a film', commissioned by ITMA and Clare Arts Office.

A celebration of the life of fiddle player Ciarán O'Reilly by his friend and fellow musician Mick O'Connor.

ITMA archivist, Maeve Gebruers, reports on ITMA's 2020 Heritage Council Project, Boscaí Ceoil.

New compositions commissioned by The Rolling Wave on RTÉ radio, with support from the Irish Traditional Music Archive.

Leading instrumentalists, singers and dancers have been commissioned to spend time engaging with collections of their choice in ITMA and to then produce something new that can be shared with the public.

Today 20 September 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of renowned uilleann piper, advocate, maker, performer & teacher Leo Rowsome (1903-1970).  To mark the occasion, ITMA is delighted to announce that Leo Rowsome's Tutor for the Uileann Pipes, originally published in 1936, is now digitised and freely available to the traditional music community on our website.  This has been made possible through the generosity of the Rowsome family and Waltons Music Dublin. 

ITMA Board Member Dermy Diamond reflects on the life of his friend and fellow fiddle player Andy Dickson who died on Sunday 19 April 2020.

ITMA has added a selection of traditional Irish tunes as a further layer on the Heritage Maps website (www.heritagemaps.ie) from the Heritage Council.  

Earlier this year Ben Lennon, the renowned fiddle player from Co. Leitrim, passed away at the age of 91. This blog by Alan Woods looks back over the life and music of a much loved member of the Irish traditional music community.

Learn three tunes from our online P.W. Joyce Collection, with Johnny Óg Connolly, Clíodhna Costello and Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill