Irish Music and Musicians

Irish Music Sessions

• Bennett Hotel, Hamilton (Newcastle) — 3rd Saturday of every month 4pm – 7pm
• Kelly's on King, Newtown — Tuesday traditional music session from 9pm
• The Irish Gaelic Club, Surry Hills — Thursday nights from 7pm
• Durty Nelly's Bar, Paddington — Sunday traditional music session 2pm – 5pm

Irish Music Lessons

The Irish National Association of Australasia operates its School of Irish Music at the Irish Gaelic Club, Surry Hills, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Teachers include Ruairí McGorman (Artist-in-residence from County Meath), Mick O'Connor and Ben Stephenson. Instruments include fiddle, banjo, DADGAD guitar, whistle and bodhrán.

The Australian Institute of Celtic Studies in Newcomen St, Newcastle provides performance groups, education, lessons and activities, including  Irish music and singing. Distance learning is available for selected History and Music courses and special interest subjects. The Institute Centre is home to the Australian Celtic Singers and the Celtic Link Band.

Irish Music Festivals

Irish Cultural Festival at Lake Jindabyne (January)

The Irish Cultural Festival at Lake Jindabyne at the foot of the Snowy Mountains is Australia’s premiere Irish cultural festival, attracting the best of Irish traditional musicians from all over Australia and abroad. Activities include music sessions, dance bands, Irish dancing displays, and a GAA family day with ladies football, mens football and hurling.

The Turning Wave Festival of Irish and Australian music and the related arts in Gundagai (September)

The Turning Wave Festival is an outstanding celebration of Irish & Australian music and the related arts held over five days of stunning events and performances, catering for music & arts enthusiasts, families who wish to enjoy a safe festival, and those who just come to soak up the atmosphere and the friendliness. The Festival is organised and presented by the Turning Wave Festival Committee under the auspices of the Gundagai Regional Enhancement Group Inc and is realised with the assistance and hospitality of the residents, businesses and Shire of Gundagai and, a brilliant team of volunteers.
 

Fleadh Nua—Irish and Celtic Festival in Goulbourn (November)

Fleadh nua is an Irish and Celtic festival of music, song and dance held every November in Goulbourn, NSW. The festival is hosted by Irish Musicians of Sydney, a non profit volunteer organisation whose aim is to promote Irish music, song and dance in Australia, especially NSW and Sydney with an emphasis of motivating children.
 

Irish Musicians

• Alison Boyd, Celtic Harpist
• BodhránWorld
• Cliona Molins, Irish harpist
• Coast Ceili Band
• Coolfinn Mac
• Irish Musicians, Sydney
• Sham-Rock ‘N’ Roll 
• Triantán, Irish Singing Group
• Trouble in the Kitchen, Traditional Irish band

Traditional Irish Sing-a-long

Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association hosts a Traditional Irish Singalong 2nd Sunday every month:  4pm - 8pm.

Irish Community Choir

For many years, the Sydney Irish Community Choir has been an important part of Irish community functions. Lovers of music come together to perform songs and hymns in the various Irish traditions for community events, masses, and céilí dances.

The choir convenes at the Irish Gaelic Club on the first Sunday of every month from 1pm. The members enjoy learning songs in Irish and in English — old and new — as well as the sense of camaraderie that comes with singing in a choir. The choir is always welcoming new members to join in the fun. For more information, telephone Marilyn Singer on (02) 9869 8980.