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. Chapters 01:25 – What an Irish music session means to Joan 02:22 – First sessions in Garvey’s in Inagh and learning tunes by osmosis 04:55 – Why the intergenerational nature of Irish music matters 05:51 – Nobody knows it all 06:13 – Old tunes, repertoire and why quantity is not everything 07:24 – Advice for joining a session when you know nobody 08:25 – The natural high when a session really works 11:15 – People first, music second 12:27 – Music as a constant through grief, loss and life 14:18 – Friendships across the world and a connection with Cape Breton 17:13 – What happens when musicians truly gel 18:21 – Processing grief through music 20:05 – Writing tunes for Joan’s father and sister 24:48 – Why Joan likes playing tunes more than twice 26:21 – What blocks the flow of a good session 29:44 – Welcoming people without asking them to prove their worth 30:33 – Joan’s ideal session size and why sessions should inspire you 31:58 – Festival sessions, hospitality and keeping music human 35:18 – Ten ingredients of a successful session 38:12 – Old pubs, open fires, singers, dancers and good listeners Resources: The West Wind with Joan Hanrahan – Clare FM Joan’s long-running traditional Irish music and song programme on Clare FM. Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy Session 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 Experience Join the Session Etiquette mailing list *Recorded and produced by Tara Connaghan and edited by Anita Alvarez Santos.* *Recorded in person in Miltown Malbay during Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025.*