The new Leitrim Equation is a breath of fresh air. What makes this Leitrim Equation residency stand out is that the four members are all from Leitrim. Each member – Eleanor Shanley, John McCartin, Padraig McGovern and Dave Sheridan – possess great personality. At the launch last Wednesday in the Dock, Carrick on Shannon, it…

Following on from the three previous very successful Leitrim Equation Residencies, the most recent of which comprised Dónal Lunny, John Carty & Séamus Begley, the county is now prepares to welcome the fourth group to take up the role of Leitrim Equation traditional musicians in residence.…

Welcome to the Tradconnect Official Album Launch series.  For members and readers this series of articles will introduce you to a new traditional album for the first time. We are working with artists to bring a little bit more excitement to the “online launch”.  The first time you share a track from a new…

Galway based band Portherhead released their debut album this summer.  They describe their sound as traditional Irish music with a touch of blues, and we came across these tracks via twitter.  They have a pretty tight sound that is more traditional than blues it must be said.  They came together in 2011 and the band consists…

We are venturing ever so slightly off the trad road with this track of the week, but when the music is this good, you gotta say something.  They are Irish but in the more bluegrass / old-time mold and their new album ( which we have and will review ) is worth a listen. Its a must have and has been getting great reviews.  This track is…

Check out our Top 10 Traditional Irish Albums at the moment with audio where they are available to us. Naomh Pádraig Céilí Band this month take the top spot with their 3 In A Row album. Some new entrants this month with Tommy McCarthy & Louise Costello also included.

Check out the attached and see how many you have in your collection. Lots of great…

This is a selection of the best tracks that we have discovered on Soundcloud over the last week or so.  Some have been featured on the site and some not. 

Follow us on Soundcloud and we will discover your music.Tradconnect on…

With the festival season upon us here are a list of the Irish festivals taking place in May and June 2014.  If you know of others that are not listed below simply add a comment below and we will update this list. 

For a full list of festivals throughout the year visit our…

Here is a selection of tracks that we have gathered up from this years traditional album releases so far this year. If you know of other albums ( especially those with a Soundcloud link ) then simply add a comment to this blog below.…

On Easter Sunday night at 9.30 pm TG4 will broadcast the Gradam Ceoil Traditional Irish Music Awards for 2014.  It’s the highlight of the traditional music calendar and will feature a broad range of musical talent performing for one night only in front of a packed University Concert Hall in Limerick.  The concert was recorded last…

This week's Track of the Week goes to Louise Mulcahy and is taken from her solo album Tuning the Road.  We launched the album last week on Tradconnect and in one week it has gained 2,100 views which is quite impressive. The album features 14 tracks of inspired traditional music that demonstrates her…

Check out the USA top 10 selling traditional albums at the moment. In the No.1 spot this month is Paddy Homan with his new album The Hard Way Home.  It features a blend of traditional Irish and contemporary songs.  Its his second album and is produced by Dennis Cahill.  Lots of great traditional albums from last year as well.

Check out the attached and…

This is an album that has not been getting much coverage. We are trying to get a track from it, so for now visit Jimmy's website.  Take Me Tender is the new CD from Jimmy O'Brien Moran. It is a tribute to the music of Paddy Conneely, a blind piper who lived in Galway. The darling of his age, Conneely gained…

bohola featuring Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders have announced a live online concert on the Concert Window platform.  It will take place on 19th April at 9pm EDT, 8pm CDT or 2am GMT. In a recent press release Jimmy thanks his many fans for their support and as part of their 15th Anniversary…

Poitín featuring Tradconnect member Jeremy King on vocals and bodhrán have just released a new album called Wish. They play Celtic/ Breton music and the album is a mixture of traditional and songs. Included below is a sample track…

Here is your chance to pick up a free copy of one of last years best traditional albums.  It's one of those quiet unassuming albums that will go down as a classic of its time. The title refers to the tunes, but will very easily refer to the album, should anyone forget it.  Daniel Neely in a recent article in The Irish Echo said of the…

On 31st March we did an Official Album Launch on Michael Mc Cagues the The Waylaid Man which you can read here. It has received close to 1,000 views at this stage and is part of an ongoing series…

This weeks track of the week is taken from Tell You In Earnest by Matt & Shannon Heaton.  Last week we had the official launch of their album on Tradconnect and gave everyone their…