Inishowen Traditional Singers' Circle

13/06/2026

We would love you to join us in the Malin Head Community Centre on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 2 pm for a really special event - the Malin Head launch of the John Donovan CD/download & Project. The official launch will be followed by songs & music in Farren's Bar at 4 pm.
It has been our great honour to digitise and remaster John's 1945 gramophone recordings - to give everyone the opportunity to once again hear the voice that filled the halls and homes of Inishowen and north Ulster in the 1930s and 40s.
Joining us on the day will be Anne (Donovan) & Jim Toland, Inishowen Trad Choir, Marty Smyth and Trad in the Head. We will have live performances of John's songs, a special screening of Malin Head National School performing My Lovely Irish Rose, and an introduction to the ITSC John Donovan digital exhibition. CDs will be available to purchase on the day.
The day will continue with a singing and music session in Farren's Bar, a place John himself would have performed in, in his day.

We are really looking forward to this day of celebration in Malin Head and everyone is welcome.

The ITSC John Donovan Project was generously supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office.

In June 1945, Inishowen singer John Donovan(1914–1949) travelled to Dublin to record six songs on three gramophone discs, later issued under HMV’s Regal Zonophone and Columbia labels. That summer marked a high point in the career of the Peninsula’s most popular entertainer of the day.

12/06/2026

Just a wee reminder that we are in Mickey McClure's Bar in Carn tonight for our June Singing Session. Our guest is the wonderful Éamon Ó Donnachadha from Ráth Chairn in Co. Meath. Éamon will be joining singers from Inishowen, Derry, Donegal, Armagh and whoever else might turn up on the night.
Everyone welcome, and ITSC sessions are free.
A wee reminder that McClure's is a cash only bar.
See you all later!

ITSC Singing Session Series is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office

10/06/2026

Anyone for a song in June? We've lots going on!!
Friday 12 June Singing Session with guest Éamon Ó Donnchadha, Mickey McClure's Carndonagh, 9 pm
Sunday 21 June John Donovan Project Launch & Session, Malin Head Community Centre 2 pm & Farren's Bar 4 pm
EVERYONE WELCOME!
For more details visit: https://inishowensinging.ie



These ITSC events have been generously funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office.

26/05/2026

It's going to be a great night of singing on Friday 12 June 2026 in Mickey McClure's Bar, Carndonagh, when we welcome Éamon Ó Donnchadha as our guest singer. Born and reared in Dublin, Éamon was drawn to the sound and songs of Connemara sean nós from an early age, taking a journey that has earned him a highly acclaimed place within the tradition, including winning Corn Uí Riada on three occasions. From his home base in the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht of County Meath, he has performed nationally and internationally, including as a performer at the Inishowen Singing Weekend way back in 2009. Definitely it's high time for him to join our company again!



The 2026 ITSC Singing Session Series is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office.

These singing sessions are free to attend and everyone is welcome.
Please note that Mickey McClure's Bar does not take cards.

25/05/2026

Earagail Arts Festival is offering bursaries to attend Home with The Henry Girls Residency in Malin this Summer. These are funded by Optum Ireland.
In recent years ITSC has been delighted to select a song from the ITSC archive for attendees to learn, and sing during their week of song activities.
The residency takes place 13-17 July and the deadline to apply for a bursary is this Friday 29 May 2026. All details on the EAF website https://eaf.ie/bursaries-available-for-2026-home-with-the-henry-girls-residency/

17/05/2026

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Ian Russell, organiser of the Cullerlie Traditional singing weekend, and Director Emeritus of the Elphinstone Institute, Aberdeen.
From the first Cullerlie Traditional singing weekend in 1993, Inishowen singers have been warmly welcomed, opening a door of friendship and song with Aberdeenshire that continues to this very day. Ian, with his wife Norma, came regularly to the Inishowen Singing Weekend - as a guest lecturer in 2003, and then down through the years as a supporter and singer- as recently as 2025.

The traditional arts community is indebted to Ian for a lifetime dedicated to song, music and dance research - a legacy for generations to come.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Norma, family and friends.
May Ian rest in peace.

Photo: Ian Russell at the Inishowen Singing Weekend 2014.
Courtesy ITSC/Paul Eliasberg

14/05/2026

ITSC has once again happily accepted Féile Róise Rua's kind invitation to host the opening night singing session at the song, music, and dance festival on Arranmore Island.
The session takes place in The Glen Hotel at 10 pm. on Friday 15 May 2026.
https://inishowensinging.ie/events/seisiun-amhranaiochta-singing-session/

05/05/2026

ITSC Singing Session Series, this Friday, 8 May in The North Pole Bar Drumfries F93 YN35 with guest singer Alice Gallanagh.
Catch a glimpse of what a great night is in store, as Alice sings Ewan McColl's "Legal Illegal" with pal Ella Doherty.

Sessions are free to attend and everyone is welcome to listen, sing, and enjoy! We'll be there from 9 pm



ITSC 2026 Singing Session Series is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office

28/04/2026

Alice Gallanagh, ITSC Session Series Guest, Friday 8 May 2026, The North Pole Bar Drumfries
What a great night in store when Alice Gallanagh returns to Inishowen as our featured session guest. The Buncrana singer's song journey began at home with her father Michael, and she is now an active participant in sessions and events in Ireland and abroad.
We are thrilled to have her here to welcome in the summer at our May session.
Sessions are free to attend and everyone is welcome to listen, sing, and enjoy!



The ITSC Singing Session Series is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Donegal County Council Arts Office.

25/04/2026

Looking forward to the Singing Session led by Jim MacFarland & Michael Gallanagh Sunday 26 April 12 noon.
Marking Dinny McLaughlin's love of songs
& singing.
Féile na hInse 2026
Inishowen Traditional Music Project