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

'Far Away' is powerful reminder of Grennan's ability 'Far Away' is powerful reminder of Grennan's ability
Folks, great news if you’re living in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut: the great band bohola is coming your way! Starting Sept. 21, the gr...
Bua album will energize trad fans Bua album will energize trad fans
First things first: after a long time away, the brilliant Karan Casey is launching her U.S. tour, Sept. 1-18. With the help of Niamh Dunne (fiddle,...
'Blarney Star' resumes on Sept. 23 'Blarney Star' resumes on Sept. 23
Some welcome news to start this week’s column. Beginning this September, the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, Queens, will be hosting Don...
In Clare, 'music is who we are' In Clare, 'music is who we are'
A short while ago I received a copy of “Always a Journey, Never a Destination: A Clare Footprint,” a 30-minute or so film produced by musician and ...
Moloney: brilliant mentor, tremendous friend Moloney: brilliant mentor, tremendous friend
Early last week, the great musician, teacher, folklorist, storyteller, and organizer Mick Moloney died in his New York University apartment. He was...
Egan's 'musical journey' is a delight Egan's 'musical journey' is a delight
Ah, what lovely music! I’m here listening to “Tobar Gan Trá,” the debut solo album from concertina player Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin, or more familiarly,...
Each lush 'Rosc' track tells a story Each lush 'Rosc' track tells a story
Just back from another Catskills Irish Arts Week adventure. Loaded with crack, it was once again a very busy time that featured a great staff and a...
Harper is artful, extraordinary Harper is artful, extraordinary
Some unfortunate news to start: Seamus Tansey, the Sligo flute great, has passed away. A true master, Tansey was one of the music’s finest musician...
'From the Bridge' is a must-see 'From the Bridge' is a must-see
Folks, last week the Irish Traditional Music Archive launched “From the Bridge: a view of Irish traditional music in New York,” a “major digital ex...
Lee's 'Eyre' is well thought through Lee's 'Eyre' is well thought through
It’s not often that I receive an album that features hammer dulcimer, but that’s exactly what we have this week with Mary-Grace Autumn Lee’s album ...
Participation is key for CIAW Participation is key for CIAW
Folks, lots of cool local stuff to talk about this week, so let’s get right into it! This year the Catskills Irish Arts Week is back and running at...
Extremely helpful 'tune cookbook' Extremely helpful 'tune cookbook'
Folks, there’s lots to report on at the minute, so stay tuned as I will be covering a lot of ground in the coming weeks. And a good few things to l...

 

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