People First, Music Second

This episode of In Tune with Tradition was recorded in person in Miltown Malbay during Willie Clancy Week 2025, (shortly after the podcast was officially launched), where Clare fiddle player, teacher and broadcaster Joan Hanrahan joins Tara Connaghan for a warm, reflective conversation about what Irish traditional music sessions really are: shared spaces built on listening, trust, and people first. They talk through session etiquette, intergenerational learning, the role of repetition and repertoire, and why music can feel healing in moments of grief, joy, and everything in between.Chapters01:25 – What an Irish music session means to Joan02:22 – First sessions in Garvey’s in Inagh and learning tunes by osmosis04:55 – Why the intergenerational nature of Irish music matters05:51 – Nobody knows it all06:13 – Old tunes, repertoire and why quantity is not everything07:24 – Advice for joining a session when you know nobody08:25 – The natural high when a session really works11:15 – People first, music second12:27 – Music as a constant through grief, loss and life14:18 – Friendships across the world and a connection with Cape Breton17:13 – What happens when musicians truly gel18:21 – Processing grief through music20:05 – Writing tunes for Joan’s father and sister24:48 – Why Joan likes playing tunes more than twice26:21 – What blocks the flow of a good session29:44 – Welcoming people without asking them to prove their worth30:33 – Joan’s ideal session size and why sessions should inspire you31:58 – Festival sessions, hospitality and keeping music human35:18 – Ten ingredients of a successful session38:12 – Old pubs, open fires, singers, dancers and good listenersResources: The West Wind with Joan Hanrahan – Clare FM Joan’s long-running traditional Irish music and song programme on Clare FM.Scoil Samhraidh Willie ClancySession Etiquette Questionnaire Share a question, challenge or joy from your own session experience for a future episode.Support In Tune with Tradition Help support the recording, production and editing of the podcast.In Tune with Tradition: The Private Session ExperienceJoin the Session Etiquette mailing listRecorded and produced by Tara Connaghan and edited by Anita Alvarez Santos.Recorded in person in Miltown Malbay during Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025.