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

Dou's album is powerful arrival Dou's album is powerful arrival
If it’s the middle of July then it means it’s time for the Catskills Irish Arts Week, which at this very moment is in full swing up in East Durham,...
Carrick-on-Shannon duo have classic partnership Carrick-on-Shannon duo have classic partnership
In the media yoke this week is “The Missing Guest,” the absolutely brilliant new album from flute player Mick Mulvey and fiddle player Shane Meehan...
Breen's solo statement delivers Breen's solo statement delivers
In the media yoke this week is “Sooner or Later,” the most recent album from the brilliant fiddle player Tara Breen. A musician with an impeccable ...
Collins's 'Weaving the Tune' is a must-have album Collins's 'Weaving the Tune' is a must-have album
Tim Collins is not only a gentleman and a scholar, he’s also one of the finest concertina players in traditional music. And, he’s just out with a b...
'Anú Abú’ shows Ó Gráda's extraordinary ability 'Anú Abú’ shows Ó Gráda's extraordinary ability
I know I write this every time, but releases from the Ireland-based record label Raelach all seem to carry a sort of imprimatur that confers upon t...
Doonbeg S.C. to honor Cork's James O'Neill in Kerry Hall Doonbeg S.C. to honor Cork's James O'Neill in Kerry Hall
In 1961, John Blackall of Doonbeg, Co. Clare, had a bold vision: to create an organization in New York dedicated to bringing together people from t...
'The Devil's Dream' is stunning 'The Devil's Dream' is stunning
A couple weeks back, I led an event at the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany called “An All Ireland Affair: The Music of the Famous Flanagan...
Mid-Atlantic Fleadh gets new look for 2025 Mid-Atlantic Fleadh gets new look for 2025
This year, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s annual Mid-Atlantic Fleadh (https://ccemidatlantic.com/) took place April 25-27 at the Crowne Plaza Prince...
'50 Odd Years' reissue is a treat '50 Odd Years' reissue is a treat
In the media yoke this week is “50 Odd Years Revisited,” the newly-released reissue of Jimmy Power and Josephine Keegan’s 1985 album. Power was one...
From trad to transformative From trad to transformative
A couple things in the media yoke this week. First of is the eponymous debut album from the band Tempest. “Tempest” is a four piece from the north ...
Young people test their mettle Young people test their mettle
A couple things to mention this week. First, I was over at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City last Friday to see Padraig Rynne, Tara Bre...
Owens was folk trailblazer Owens was folk trailblazer
Sad news once again to pass on from the world of Irish folk music with the April 3 passing of Michael “Jesse” Owens. Born in Dublin in 1935, Owens ...


 



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