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

Mick Moloney's life celebrated at New York events Mick Moloney's life celebrated at New York events
Legendary musician, folklorist and humanitarian Mick Moloney was finally laid to rest last week with a series of events that finally gave family an...
 Music, turnout, venue impresses Music, turnout, venue impresses
It was a triumphant return to form for Don Meade’s “Blarney Star” series last Friday in Long Island City, as droves came out to the New York Irish ...
Blarney Star debuts Friday Blarney Star debuts Friday
Oooh, folks, the concert series are blazing their ways back this fall! We start with Don Meade’s resurrected Blarney Star series, which opens Sept....
Gourley and Feddersen album is a delight Gourley and Feddersen album is a delight
You don’t see it too often in the world of traditional Irish music at this point, but vinyl has been making a roaring comeback in the world of popu...
'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...

 

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