The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) and the London Irish Centre are joining forces to celebrate the deep ties between Irish traditional music and London.
For generations, the city, especially Camden Town, has not just hosted Irish musicians, it has shaped the tradition itself. From céilís and ballad sessions to the building of world-class archives, London has long been an Irish musical hub.
Our new partnership will carry that story forward through concerts, exhibitions, archives and exchanges between artists in Dublin and London. It began this month with ITMA’s Drawing from the Well concert tour at the London Irish Centre, the first time the tour has travelled outside Ireland.
On Thursday 13th November, four of Ireland’s top traditional artists performed in the London Irish Centre as part of the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s (ITMA) annual Drawing from the Well Concert Tour.
Legendary tin whistle player Mary Bergin, accordion, piano player and singer Conor Connolly, dancer and fiddle player Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin and London-born multi-instrumentalist John Blake were joined by special guest musicians for an unforgettable night of traditional Irish music, song and dance in our Macnamara Bar.
Speaking at the event, Director of Programme and Events, Hannah Pender said:
“Camden Town has long been a heartbeat of Irish traditional music, from being the birth place of the pub session to teaching thousands how to play. The sound of Irish music is woven into the very fabric of this place, and it continues to thrive because of the incredible musicians and communities who keep it alive.
“At the London Irish Centre, we’ve always been proud champions of traditional Irish music, and through this new partnership with ITMA, we hope to strengthen that work into the future, through digital archival projects, concerts, opportunities for musicians, and keeping the music vibrant for generations to come.”
This concert marked the first time that the acclaimed Drawing from the Well Concert Tour hosted a performance outside the island of Ireland, and the launch of a long-term collaboration between ITMA and the London Irish Centre, which will celebrate shared culture, opportunities, and events.
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