Daniel Neely

Daniel T. Neely is a musician and ethnomusicologist (New York University, Ph.D. 2008) with specialties in the musics of Ireland and Jamaica. Since 2008 he has been the Public Relations Officer of the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s North American Province, from 2011-2016 he was the artistic coordinator of the Augusta Irish Week, a Irish music camp in Elkins, West Virginia, and since 2021 he has been on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee-based Ward Irish Music Archives, the largest public repository for Irish music in the United States.

He plays tenor banjo and fiddle, loves playing at sessions, and has been a member of both the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra and the New York Céilí Band.  He has given invited lectures on this history of Irish music at Boston College, the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Ward Irish Music Archives, Na Píobairí Uilleann in Dublin, Ireland, and elsewhere.

Latest Stories

Banjoists find common ground Banjoists find common ground
Was out to see Lúnasa last week at a packed Sony Hall in Times Square and it was a tremendous evening. One of the greatest traditional groups of al...
Curley & McKee have incredible rapport Curley & McKee have incredible rapport
Folks, the freight train of tour dates to report keeps rolling along! This time it’s about Dublin tenor Paul Byrom, who you may remember as an orig...
An Gaodhal Project is launched An Gaodhal Project is launched
Was over at the Irish Consulate this past week for a networking event and was very pleased to hear Dennis Brownlee, founder and president of the Af...
Sony Hall has big series in store Sony Hall has big series in store
Folks! Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s Mid-Atlantic region has recently announced that the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Fleadh will take place April 17-19 at th...
McEvoys' album is a loving expression of Meath tradition McEvoys' album is a loving expression of Meath tradition
I have a real treat in the media yoke this week! “The Boyne Mist” is the new release from John and Jacinta McEvoy and it’s the most delightful reco...
 Life story that's complex, nuanced Life story that's complex, nuanced
Lots to write about this week! First off, I want to congratulate Caitríona Fee (concertina) and Colin Kadis (accordion), the two yanks who were amo...
Top trio release amazing 'Music at the House' follow-up Top trio release amazing 'Music at the House' follow-up
Happy New Year, everybody! Hope everyone reading this had a joyful and safe one out there! Part of mine included hanging Michael Steen’s new and ex...
A year of superb albums & books A year of superb albums & books
And with that, we come to the end of 2025! Over the past year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with a wide range of albums and books about tradit...
'Rian' is a truly compelling album 'Rian' is a truly compelling album
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone reading this has their holiday preparation in line and is gearing up for a lovely, relaxed time with frie...
'Junction' shows NxNW's caliber 'Junction' shows NxNW's caliber
In the media yoke this week is “Junction” from the band North by North West or NxNW. Although just their debut album, NxNW has been around for seve...
Egan tapped again for Burns's 'McMullen' movie follow-up Egan tapped again for Burns's 'McMullen' movie follow-up
If you’ve not yet read it, I’d recommend you check out Ray O’Hanlon’s recent and lovely Echo piece about “The Family McMullen,” the just-released s...
Each O'Connell post is a gem Each O'Connell post is a gem
The great Robbie O’Connell needs no introduction to most readers of this column. A singer and songwriter with a fabulous voice and an unmatched sen...





 



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