Ward Irish Music Archives

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Ward Irish Music Archives The Ward Irish Music Archives (WIMA) collects, promotes, preserves, and disseminates Irish and Irish-American musics in all their forms.

WIMA makes these cultural resources available to researchers, artists, and the general public... Established in 1992, the Ward Irish Music Archives houses the largest public collection of Irish music in America. It is named after John J. Ward Jr., father of Irish Fest founder Ed Ward. The archive currently consists of more than 40,000 Irish music recordings and pieces of memorabilia ranging from rare 78 rpm's, LP's and sheet music to song books, instruments, and concert memorabilia. Many of the archives items are extremely difficult to find today, and our diverse collections focus on subjects such as Irish traditional music, Irish folk songs, Scottish music, and Irish contributions to American popular music. website: http://irishfest.com/Music-Archives.htm
The Dunn Family Collection: http://archives.irishfest.com
Irish Sheet Music Archives: http://irishsheetmusicarchives.com

When AOH events in Milwaukee were winding down in the late 1930s, notices started appearing for a “Mrs. D. F. Finn” prov...
10/29/2026

When AOH events in Milwaukee were winding down in the late 1930s, notices started appearing for a “Mrs. D. F. Finn” providing Irish accordion music for Holy Hill picnics and St. Patrick’s Day banquets.

Decades later, a 1961 Milwaukee Journal profile uncovered the woman behind the tunes: Bridget Finn (née Connor), who emigrated from County Cork in 1911. The article described her playing an “Irish concertina”—though the archival photo looks to reveal a classic single-row melodeon, tracked down by her piper son John after she arrived in the States.

While no recordings of Bridget Finn are known to exist, her journey reflects a vital generation of immigrant women who kept traditional dance music alive in their communities.

📖 Swipe through to see the original clippings and enhanced photo, and read the full research feature via the link in our bio!

Do you have family memories, photos, or stories of early Milwaukee Irish musicians? Get in touch with us at the Ward Irish Music Archives.

10/23/2026

Along with the global Irish music community, we are mourning the loss of Dónal Lunny.

As a founder and core member of bands such as Emmet Spiceland, Planxty, and the Bothy Band, Dónal influenced the sound of modern Irish music. This continued into his work as an arranger, composer, and producer. His approach to rhythm and accompaniment - from subtle counterpoint to rhythmic drive - helped draw the bouzouki into the heart of the tradition.

Here, Dónal performs “Siún Ní Dhuibhir,” a song he learned from his mother, Mary Rogers, alongside longtime musical partner Andy Irvine on stage at Milwaukee Irish Fest in 2014.

Our thoughts are with Dónal’s family, friends, and the generations of musicians he inspired.

10/15/2026

Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy singing “The Boys of Killybegs” from their 1977 PBS series. 🌊

While most of the show was filmed in front of a live studio audience, this performance was captured on location in Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port on the rugged Donegal coast. The song captures the grit and fortitude of the fishermen braving the North Atlantic.

Carrying on the tradition, Tommy’s son Rory Makem returns to Milwaukee on Friday, October 23 for a concert at the CelticMKE Center! While the pre-show VIP session in the Archives is officially sold out, a limited number of general admission tickets remain. Grab yours at the link in our bio!

We had a great time at the Irish Traditional Music Archive Putting Chicago on the Map event hosted by Consulate General ...
10/10/2026

We had a great time at the Irish Traditional Music Archive Putting Chicago on the Map event hosted by Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago — well done to director Liam O’Connor and staff on the digital atlas project of Irish music in America. Also featured were great interviews with Matt Molloy and Liz Carroll conducted by Séan Potts.

09/24/2026

Straight from the grooved shellac of a well-traveled 78rpm disc, here is Dublin accordionist Séamus O’Caoimh (James O’Keefe) recorded for the Regal Zonophone label (IZ 877), recorded c. 1935–1945.

O’Caoimh was a familiar voice on early Irish airwaves. A 1936 Evening Herald radio listing heralded him as a “Feis prize winner and well known accordeon-player,” regular on 2RN/Radio Éireann broadcasts alongside the Irish Radio Orchestra, fiddlers Patrick Clarke and John Howard, and singer Séamus MacSamhráin.

He tackles two classics with serious box-playing pedigree: “The Heather Breeze” (put to disc by Peter Conlon in 1921) and “The Blackberry Blossom” (recorded by John J. Kimmel back in 1916).

Listen to the full recording from the link in our bio.

🎧 From the Ted McGraw Collection (McGraw 78 03-200), Ward Irish Music Archives.

09/17/2026

By request, a pair of classic hornpipes from the Aughrim Slopes Céilí Band: “The Friendly Visit” into “Thomond Bridge,” recorded in 1937 for Regal Zonophone (IZ 722).

Francis O’Neill sourced “The Friendly Visit” from Fr. William Dollard, later writing that Dollard was “a born musician... equally at ease performing on either fiddle or flute.” Paired here with the distinctive east Galway pulse of the early Aughrim Slopes lineup assembled by Jacky Fahy:

• Jack Mulcaire & James Drury (Fiddles)
• Joe Mills (Accordion)
• Paddy Kelly (Fiddle)
• Josie O’Halloran (Piano)

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 00-676.

Listen to the full recording via the link in our bio.

09/14/2026

What a weekend of tunes! 🎶

We were thrilled to welcome master musicians Seán Gavin and Colm Gannon into the Archives on Saturday afternoon for an intimate acoustic concert and session.

The visit was part of the Irish Fest School of Music semester kickoff—and the energy didn’t stop there. Seán and Colm, along with fellow Milwaukee area Irish musicians, also provided the incredible music for Saturday night’s September céilí.

Big thanks to Seán and Colm for sharing their music with us, and to everyone who came out to listen, play, and dance!

The main fundraiser for the Ward Irish Music Archives, The Great Irish Open, is next week and is already sold out. BUT -...
09/11/2026

The main fundraiser for the Ward Irish Music Archives, The Great Irish Open, is next week and is already sold out. BUT -- the Silent Auction is open online! 🥳 You don’t have to be at the Great Irish Open to join in the fun! 👇

Our Great Irish Open Silent Auction is OPEN TO EVERYONE, and there are some pretty fantastic things up for grabs.

🍻 VIP experience at Central Standard with Jacob Misiorowski & Brewers players, including food, drinks, a chance to meet The Miz, a signed baseball, & more
🌊 A getaway to Lake Geneva
🏒 Milwaukee Admirals & Milwaukee Wave tickets
🗺️ An afternoon discovering Madison’s hidden gems
⛳ Round of golf for four at Morningstar Golfers Club
…and plenty more!

Bidding closes next Wednesday at 5 p.m. ⏰ You don't need to present at the event to win.

So take a peek, place a bid, and share it with friends & fam who might want in. ☘️

👉 Bid through the link in the comments!

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of master uilleann piper Paddy Keenan.As a founding member of The Bothy B...
09/09/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of master uilleann piper Paddy Keenan.

As a founding member of The Bothy Band and a giant of the tradition, Paddy brought an exhilarating, soulful fire to the uilleann pipes that changed Irish music forever. His virtuosic style set a new benchmark for the instrument and influenced generations of musicians across the globe.

Here in Milwaukee and across the Midwest, we were privileged to experience his artistry up close through numerous concerts and workshops—both at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center and on the stages of Milwaukee Irish Fest. His music left an indelible mark on our community and remains an enduring part of the living tradition.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Paddy’s family, friends, and pipers everywhere.

📸: Gary Niebuhr, 2017 Milwaukee Irish Fest

08/16/2026

Such an amazing presentation by Amy McFarland about her oral history project of women concertina players called The Bridge. Many thanks to Amy and Brenda Castles for their time, knowledge and music!

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Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm

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