Bringing you the finest performers
from around the world
Concerts are held in the spring and fall at the Gaelic-American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. They are open to the public and doors open half hour before the show. We now offer advance online ticket purchases for $22.00, or $25.00 cash at the door. Fairfield U. and SHU students: $10 (with ID). Children under 10 years: free.
Our Spring 2026 Concert Series
Saturday, March 7, 7:30 pm | Mary Courtney, Patrick Madden, Jack Ryan
Mary Courtney (guitar, vocals) grew up in a musical family in the parish of Castlegregory, near the sea in County Kerry, a likely beginning for this remarkable singer and guitarist. Whether accompanying herself, or holding the rhythm line with her trad band, Morning Star, she is a consummate musician.
Patrick Madden (fiddle) is a first-generation Irish-American, born and raised in Queens, New York. As a dancer, he was introduced to traditional Irish music and went on to learn the fiddle under the tutelage of the great Maureen Glynn. He has been playing with Mary Courtney and Morningstar for over a decade.
Jack Ryan (whistle) was born in the Bronx and began playing the whistle at age eight. He initially learned from his father, who taught himself the instrument to pass it along to his children. Jack went on to study Irish music under Dawn Doherty, who was born in Co. Mayo and runs the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish Music, based in Yonkers. Jack has competed multiple times at the Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland.
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Mary Courtney grew up in a musical family in the parish of Castlegregory, near the sea in County Kerry, a likely beginning for this remarkable singer and guitarist. Whether accompanying herself, or holding the rhythm line with her trad band, Morning Star, she is a consummate musician. Her music is an engaging collaboration of traditional Irish music and a progressive social conscience born of a political education in the United States. Her bodhrán (Irish hand-held drum) playing offers another dimension to her exceptional performance. Courtney has used her music to spread Irish culture and to educate her audience about the struggles of the Irish people. From rock ‘n’ roll to the ethereal strains of some ancient Celtic bard, Mary can sing anything, and sing it unforgettably.
Reviews: What a singer she is! Her powerful vocals are direct, allowing the beauty of the melodies and the emotion of the lyrics to come through; however her voice is also distinctive, making her stand out both from a sincerity point of view as well as a technical one. Frankly, she has a voice that is difficult to ignore. . . I’d almost forgotten what a dynamic instrument banjo is. Ryan brings that special melodic drive I’ve not heard for quite a while, as he pushes the tunes along with gusto, enthusiasm, and a lot of talent. As you listen, it’s no wonder Redmond has 4 All-Ireland titles under his belt. All this is built on Courtney’s excellent guitar accompaniment . . . Sometimes, I’m amazed at how a small group such as this can have such a ‘big’ sound, one that is so involving and welcoming. Mary Courtney and Morning Star has risen to the top of my list of must-see musicians. When you listen to Live from the 33rd County you’ll understand why. Jamie O’Brien — Putting on Airs, Irish Edition
Mary also was part of the cast and music composer of the John Kearns play BOANNE and the Well of Wisdom was awarded best play at the 2024 NYC Origin Theatre Festival. The cast had a very successful mini tour of Ireland in 2024 as well as being Artists in Residence at the renowned St. John’s Theatre for Arts in Listowel Co. Kerry.
Patrick Madden is a first-generation Irish-American, born and raised in Queens, NY. His parents were from County Meath and County Tipperary. He was introduced to traditional irish music from dancing and went on to learn the fiddle from his first traditional music teacher, Maureen Glynn. In his youth he competed in the Fleadh Cheoil in solo, duets, and with the Joe Cooley Ceili band. He won both in his solo and band competitions qualifying for the Irish Fleadh Cheoil and winning with the band in Ireland. The Joe Cooley Ceili band recorded an album upon our return to the U.S.A and played several festivals and concerts. He has been playing with Mary Courtney and Morningstar for over a decade.
Jack Ryan was born in the Bronx and began playing the whistle at age eight. He initially learned from his father, who taught himself the instrument to pass it along to his children. Jack went on to study Irish music under Dawn Doherty, who was born in Co. Mayo and runs the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish Music, based in Yonkers. Jack has competed multiple times at the Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland. He has performed in pubs and venues throughout New York City, Ireland and Nashville. He also plays the flute and is a member of the Manhattan University Pipes and Drums band.
We have another exciting concert and workshop lineup in the works for our 2026 spring and fall series, so please visit again.
Recent events
Saturday, November 8, 7:30 pm | John Whelan and Dylan Foley (Annual Gregg and Clare Burnett Memorial Concert)
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For over 50 years John Whelan has been hailed as one of the world’s finest Irish button accordion players. Originally from England and now based on the U.S. West Coast, the seven-time All-Ireland champion fearlessly explores the creative reaches of music, artistry, and expression while carefully preserving the musical roots from which he originally flourished, and passing those on to the next generation.
As a celebrated recording artist, John has recorded more than 15 CDs, appeared on more than 30 albums with other artists, and spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard World Music Charts. John is also a sought-after composer and producer and has written more than 65 original tunes, many of which have been recorded and performed by artists all over the world. He is widely recognized for forming the John Whelan Band, and also his duo performances with Grammy Award–winning fiddle player Eileen Ivers during the first years of Riverdance.
Dylan Foley is a four-time All-Ireland fiddle champion. A student of the great Rose Flanagan (the original fiddler in Cherish the Ladies), he counts Joanie Madden, Brian Conway, Mike McHale, and Monsignor Charlie Coen among his primary influences. He is a vibrant stylist whose playing has been called “impeccable and spirited.”
Dylan has performed at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Joanie Madden’s Folk N’ Irish Cruise, Austin Celtic Festival, and at Gracie Mansion for NYC Mayor Bloomberg. He has also been featured on Irish Television channels RTE and TG4’s fleadh program. At age 12, Dylan made an appearance on the HBO special “The Music In Me.” He also teaches privately and plays concerts and sessions around the greater New York area and abroad.
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Each November we dedicate a concert to the memory of Gregg and Clare Burnett, who were long-time members of the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield and avid contributors to the cultural life there. Gregg was a talented multi-instrumentalist with a passion for traditional Irish music. He was a founding member of the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, leading and performing with its all-volunteer performance group The Shamrogues. Gregg promoted a vibrant understanding of Irish music through volunteering his time to teach beginners interested in learning traditional Irish music as well as organizing over 300 local concerts that featured some of the world’s foremost musicians from across the United States and Ireland. Clare was an enthusiastic Irish language speaker and the energy behind the club’s Irish literature group. On countless occasions, Gregg and Clare opened their home for intimate house concerts and touched us all with their grace and hospitality.
Saturday, October 11, 3:30-5:00 pm | Free Workshops With Cillian Vallely and Alan Murray | Sponsored by the Gerry Herman Memorial Fund
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From the age seven, Cillian Vallely learned the whistle and uilleann pipes from his parents, Brian and Eithne, at the Armagh Pipers Club, a group that for over five decades has fostered the revival of traditional music in the north of Ireland. After leaving Armagh, he established his name in the traditional music scene through his playing with award-winning Irish supergroup Lúnasa. He has also recorded and performed with acts as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Riverdance, Natalie Merchant, Ruben Blades, Matchbox Twenty, Declan O’Rourke, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, and Tim O’Brien at high-profile concert venues, including The Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury Festival, Paris Bercy, and The Royal Albert Hall in London. Cillian has recorded on over 70 albums including nine with Lúnasa, his acclaimed solo debut “The Raven’s Rock,” and his 2023 CD “The Yew & The Orchard” with Mayo fiddler David Doocey.
Guitarist, bouzouki player, and singer Alan Murray hails from Glasgow, Scotland, where he grew up playing the whistle and later guitar and bouzouki. Eventually moving to the United States, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after accompanists and teacher on the traditional music scene. He has recorded and performed around the world with many of the finest traditional musicians and acts today, including Solas, Lúnasa, John Carty, Eileen Ivers, Battlefield Band, We Banjo 3, FourWinds, and many more.
Saturday, September 6, 7:30 pm | Isaac Alderson, Patrick Mangan, Matt Stapleton
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Isaac Alderson was born in Chicago and grew up there until he reached the age of 18. Growing up, his father often played several instruments at home and encouraged him to experiment with music. At age 12, Isaac first heard the captivating sound of the uilleann pipes and was immediately hooked. For the rest of his teenage years, he took advantage of access to the Irish music community in Chicago and the greater region, studying with pipers such as Al Purcell, Kieran O'Hare, and Patrick Cannady. He also studied the Irish flute and tin whistle with the great Laurence Nugent, who made the greatest impact on Isaac’s understanding of music at that time in his life. In 2002, Isaac was named senior champion at the the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil on each of his three instruments. He remains the only American ever to achieve such a victory. At 18, Isaac moved to New York and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College while immersing himself in the city’s excellent music scene. After finishing his studies, he became a full-time musician, and has had the good fortune ever since to travel the world as a performer. He has been a member of several groups over the years, including the great fiddler Eileen Ivers’ band, the baroque and Celtic music group Ensemble Galilei, the iconic show Riverdance, and the hit Broadway musical Come From Away. He also founded, together with his friends and collaborators, the acclaimed group The Yanks, whose two albums have received much attention and praise in the traditional music community in Ireland and beyond. As a native Chicagoan, Isaac was honored to perform the national anthem at the United Center for the Chicago Bulls' St. Patrick's Day game in 2024. As an instructor, Isaac has conducted uilleann pipes, flute, and tin whistle classes and workshops at many events throughout the United States, and also in Ireland, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, and Belgium. He is also a dabbler on the saxophone, a lover of cats, a dedicated student of the Spanish language, and an enthusiastic experimenter with Indian cooking.
Brooklyn-based fiddler Patrick Mangan is a two-time All-Ireland champion. He made his Broadway debut at age 16 with Riverdance on Broadway and has since performed with the Grammy Award–winning Irish dance production and other luminaries of Celtic music in over 30 countries on every continent. Recent performance highlights have included the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Moya Brennan of Clannad, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, and frequent appearances on Broadway and on tour with the hit show Come From Away. Pat is also a regularly featured guest at New York’s most renowned traditional Irish music session spots such as The 11th Street Bar, Swift Hibernian Lounge, and The Dead Rabbit. His latest album, The Frost Is All Over, is a mix of traditional favorites, original compositions, and a few surprises. Irish Music Magazine calls it “a stylish album, full of heart and thoughtfulness,” and The Irish Echo says “fiddle virtuoso Patrick Mangan’s playing is top tier.”
From upstate New York, guitarist Matt Stapleton is a sought-after accompanist for the Irish traditional music scene in New York City, where he leads two popular weekly sessions — Hartley’s in Brooklyn and Grace’s in Manhattan. Matt has played alongside some of the great traditional musicians and acts from the United States and Ireland, including Liam O'Connor, Noel Hill, and the band Lúnasa.
The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society and Gaelic-American Club take pride in bringing renowned musicians from across the United States, Ireland, and around the world to perform for audiences in our area. Your donation supports traditional Irish music and our ongoing concert series.
