A New Haven for Songcraft: The Leitrim Listeners Club
There is something undeniably sacred about a room that truly listens. In an era where live music often competes with the clinking of glasses and the hum of background chatter, a new sanctuary for acoustic music has quietly but brilliantly emerged in the heart of Leitrim Village.
The Leitrim Listeners Club, hosted in the intimate and beautifully renovated surroundings of The Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge, has officially opened its doors. Born from a desire to celebrate the pure, unadulterated relationship between the songwriter and the audience, the club is already shaping up to be one of the most vital cultural additions to the regional music scene.
Leitrim Listeners Club First season: July
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The Leitrim Folk Listeners Club emphasizes the communal soul of live, local music and song. Located in a region with profound musical roots, this club champions the act of listening as an active, vital contribution to the craft. It creates an intimate, supportive environment where the exchange between performer and audience is paramount. By prioritizing the listener, the club nurtures an atmosphere of deep appreciation, allowing the nuances of the music and song to resonate fully within the community. The Leitrim Folk Listeners Club is based in the Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge in Leitrim Village.
Together, they showcase the multifaceted nature of traditional music, heritage and art in the northwest of Ireland. While the Carolan Collective looks to the historical richness of our master composers, the Leitrim Folk Listeners Club celebrates contemporary local art through singers, musicians and songwriters in an intimate setting. Both initiatives are essential in keeping the heartbeat of Irish music strong, ensuring that the legacy of the past and the joy of the present continue to thrive in unison.
Leitrim Listeners Club First season: August until 12th September
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A Spellbinding Opening Night
The club launched its inaugural session with a masterclass in Irish contemporary folk music, featuring the powerhouse duo of Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan.
Shanley, a Leitrim native and one of the most uniquely expressive voices in Irish music, teamed up with Hanrahan—the celebrated Stockton’s Wing songwriter and guitarist—to deliver a performance that perfectly encapsulated what the Listeners Club is all about. The atmosphere inside the Blueway Lodge was electric yet reverent, proving immediately that the local appetite for high-caliber, lyric-driven music is stronger than ever.
Looking Ahead: Michael Banahan, Bill Shanley and Trinity Island
Building swiftly on the success of its opening night, the club has announced an incredibly exciting lineup for its next upcoming event.
The evening will feature a headline performance by well-known singer-songwriter Michael Banahan, joined by the world-renowned guitarist and producer Bill Shanley (famed for his work with Ray Davies, Paul Brady and Mary Black). Together, they promise an evening of exceptional storytelling and intricate guitar artistry.
Adding further excitement to the upcoming roster is the introduction of a brand-new group, Trinity Island. Comprising some of the finest musical talents aligned with the collective, their performance is highly anticipated and underscores the club's commitment to giving a stage to fresh, evolving projects.
At a Glance: The Leitrim Listeners Club
•The Venue: The Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge, Main Street, Leitrim Village.
Address: Main St, Leitrim, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 V1K2
Phone: (071) 962 1040
•The Vision: A quiet, respectful "listening room" environment dedicated to the acoustic arts.
•The Backing: Pioneered by the Carolan Collective and the Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge to foster local songwriting and musical talent.
For music lovers who want to experience songs as they were meant to be heard—intimate, raw, and completely uninterrupted—the Leitrim Listeners Club is fast becoming the place to be. Keep your eyes peeled on local listings for ticket details for the next showcase; this is a cultural movement you won't want to miss!
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Trinity Island |
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The O'Carolan Trio |
Michael Banahan playing The Ballad of Mikey Carty |
Dotts O'Connor playing his own song Jodie |
Donal O'Connor |
Dates
• 11th July - Trinity Island, Michael Banahan, and Bill Shanley
• 25th July - Eleanor Quaine, Ceol na Ceangail, and Niko and Christina Ginter
• 8th August - Louise Killeen and Donny O'Connor
• 15th August - Donny O'Connor and Boyle trad group
• 22nd August - Declan Courell, Philip Duffy, Liam Kelly, Sligo, and Cat's Meow
• 5th September: Dots O'Connor, Aoife Duignan with Michael McKenna & Mossie Martin
• 12th September: Harpello (Fiachra Guihen & Ellen Godley),
Ceol na gCailíní (Rachel Noone, Aoife Guckian, Clodagh Daly)
• 26th September: Martina & Brendan Rynn, Lorraine Sweeney & Jacqui Martin
• 3rd October: Dr Matteo Cullen, John McCartin with Dave Sheridan & Padraig McGovern
• 17th October: Fergus McGovern with Christopher Delaney & Friends, Trinity Island
• 24th October: The Carolan Collective
*More dates and Artists confirmed soon!*
Club starts at 9pm, doors open 8.30pm. 10 Euros Pay at the door.
A Remit of Revival: The Carolan Collective
The driving force behind this initiative is the Carolan Collective. David Knight and Mossie Martin drawing inspiration from the legacy of Ireland’s legendary harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan, the collective’s core remit is deeply rooted in community and mentorship.
By setting up the Leitrim Listeners Club, the Carolan Collective has established a dedicated platform designed to promote, support, and elevate local musicians and songwriters. It provides both emerging and established artists with a rare commodity: an attentive, respectful audience where every lyric can be heard and every chord can resonate
Standing On The Shoulders of Giants
The legacy of Turlough O'Carolan and many other musicians, singers and composers from the region inspire the artists of the collective including the influential Sligo fiddlers (Michael Coleman, James Morrison, Paddy Killoran et al.), the wonderful musicians from the flute-playing tradition (John McKenna, Josie McDermott, Mick Woods, Packie Duignan, Seamus Tansey, Tommy Guihen, Matt Molloy, Patsy Hanly amongst others…), brilliant harpers that have taught and performed in the area (Michael Rooney, Gráinne Hambly, Kim Fleming, Orla Daly) and the artists that have paved the way such as The Grehan Sisters, Cathy Jordan & Dervish, Eleanor Shanley, Mary MacPartland, Charlie and Ben Lennon, John Carty & At The Racket.
For more information view the Carolan Collective page here.