Music At Maddens Podcast

Maddens Bar
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Music at Maddens podcast from the snug upstairs in Belfast’s home of trad. Yarns, pints and laughs with well known faces from the trad music scene. Locals, visitors are all welcome to join in the chat - with Lynette Fay.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube apple verification 519768

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 54: Michael McGoldrick | Music at Madden’s

    Lynette Fay is back in the snug at Madden’s for Episode 54, joined by one of the most celebrated musicians in Irish traditional music, Michael McGoldrick.A master of the flute, whistles and uilleann pipes, Michael chats about his musical journey, his Manchester upbringing and the influences that shaped his distinctive sound. He reflects on a career that has taken him around the world, from his groundbreaking work with "Flook" and "Lúnasa" to performing alongside "Capercaillie" and "Mark Knopfler", as well as his acclaimed work as a solo artist.Michael and Lynette talk tunes, touring, collaboration and the experiences that have shaped him into one of the most influential traditional musicians of his generation.🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Music at Madden’s for more conversations from the heart of Belfast’s traditional music scene.

  2. Aug 10

    Music at Madden’s - Episode 53: Bríd Harper and Sylvain Barou.

    In this episode of Music at Madden’s, Lynette Fay is joined in the snug by two outstanding traditional musicians, Bríd Harper and Sylvain Barou.Originally from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal, Bríd is one of Ireland’s most highly regarded fiddle players, known for her distinctive and expressive approach to the Donegal tradition. Alongside her is Breton multi-instrumentalist Sylvain Barou, a renowned flute and uilleann pipe player whose music draws connections between the traditions of Ireland, Brittany and further afield.They chat with Lynette about their musical journeys, the traditions that have shaped their playing, and the friendship and collaboration that has brought them together over the years.And, as always, there’s plenty of music along the way.Follow Music at Madden’s and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

  3. Aug 3

    Music at Madden’s - Episode 52: Joanie Madden

    This week, Lynette Fay welcomes Joanie Madden to the snug Madden’s. She is the New York-born powerhouse, founder and bandleader of the internationally acclaimed Cherish the Ladies, and a force of nature who has carried Irish traditional music to stages the world over. Warm, funny and brimming with stories, Joanie takes us back to the Bronx and a proud Irish-American upbringing steeped in music - the tunes, the characters and the places that lit the spark and set her on a remarkable journey. She shares some of her earliest, most vivid memories of the Fleadh, and reflects on how those formative moments fired a lifelong devotion to celebrating and championing Irish traditional music wherever in the world it's played. It's an hour in the company of a true original - full of heart, mischief and that unmistakable Madden energy. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow and subscribe to Music at Madden's wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating or review if you can, and share it with anyone who loves a great tune and a great story.

  4. Jul 27

    Music at Maddens #51| The Bonny men - Eight Friends, One Sound

    our members of The Bonny Men join us in the snug for a lively conversation about friendship, family, and the unique chemistry behind one of Ireland's most exciting traditional bands.From rehearsals in the Ó Casaide family home to packed festival stages, the band reflects on how two sets of siblings and a close-knit group of lifelong friends created a sound inspired by the greats while carving out a musical identity all of their own. They share stories from school days in Dublin, the influence of the Bothy Band, the challenge of arranging music for eight musicians, and why keeping the band together after more than a decade still feels as special as ever. There's plenty of laughter, backstage stories, memories of competitions, and a glimpse into the recording of their upcoming fourth album. 🎻 Topics include:The origins of The Bonny Men. Growing up in one of Ireland's great musical schools. Recording their fourth studio album. The art of arranging music for eight musicians. Lifelong friendships through traditional music. Why playing together still feels as exciting as day one

  5. Jul 20

    Music at Madden's #50 | Sinéad Willox: The Songs of Ulster, Coming Home & Following Your Musical Dream

    Singer Sinéad Willox joins Lynette Fay in the snug at Madden's to celebrate the release of her acclaimed debut album, Seoda Uladh (Jewels of Ulster).  Growing up on the Armagh–Tyrone border, Sinéad reflects on a childhood steeped in traditional music, the extraordinary influence of the legendary Cór Gaeilge at St Joseph's Convent, Donaghmore, and how moving away from home for 16 years ultimately deepened her connection to Ulster's songs and traditions.  They discuss: The inspiration behind Seoda Uladh and choosing one song from every county in UlsterRecording with Seán Óg Graham and an all-star cast of traditional musiciansPerforming in Blood Upon the Rose and the incredible amateur drama scene in South Tyrone and North ArmaghGrowing up in bands, competitions and choir lifeReturning home to raise a family and rediscovering her passion for singingPassing traditional music on to the next generation through Armagh Pipers ClubWhy it's never too late to chase a lifelong dreamA heartfelt conversation about home, identity, community and the songs that continue to shape us. 🎵 Music at Madden's is recorded live in the snug at Madden's Bar, Belfast, celebrating the people, stories and traditions at the heart of Irish traditional music. #MusicAtMaddens #SinéadWillox #TraditionalMusic #IrishMusic #Ulster #FolkMusic #SeodaUladh #LynetteFay #MaddensBar #Belfast #Armagh #IrishCulture

  6. Jul 13

    Music at Maddens #49 | From Maddens to Fairy Island with Ryan O'Donnell & Tracy Ryan

    Ryan O'Donnell and Tracy Ryan join us in the snug for a conversation that begins where their story started—right here in Maddens.From the chance meeting that brought them together to life in Tipperary, they reflect on family, traditional music, raising two daughters, and the journey behind their debut album, Fairy Island. Ryan discusses stepping out from behind the role of accompanist to compose and arrange original music, while Tracy shares how motherhood, life experience, and a deeper connection to storytelling have shaped her singing.We also dive into the importance of preserving regional traditions, the research behind the album's songs, the creative process of recording together, and why traditional music continues to bring people—and places—together.A warm, honest conversation about love, music, heritage, and finding your own voice.🎻 Topics include:How Ryan and Tracy first met in MaddensThe story behind Fairy Island.Songwriting, arranging, and recording as a couple.Family life and passing music on to the next generation.Traditional music in Belfast, Tipperary, and beyond.The power of storytelling in Irish song.

  7. Jul 7

    Music at Madden’s #48 | Belfast Trad — Building Community Through Music

    This week on Music at Madden’s, Lynette Fay is joined in the Snug by Christine Darling and Katherine O’Neill from Belfast Trad, an organisation that has been nurturing traditional music, dance and community in Belfast since 1991. Ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann coming to Belfast in August 2026, Christine and Katherine reflect on the foundations that have helped the city’s trad scene flourish — from set dancing and adult music classes to workshops, student sessions, outreach, and the welcoming spaces that bring people into the music. They share personal stories of finding Irish traditional music as adults, the friendships and confidence it has built, and why Belfast Trad continues to focus on inclusion, connection and the simple joy of playing music together. Recorded upstairs in Madden’s Bar, the home of trad in Belfast City.

  8. Jun 30

    Music at Madden’s - Episode 47: Glengormley School of Traditional Music

    In this episode of Music at Madden’s, Lynette welcomes Ray Morgan and Maria Rafferty from Glengormley School of Traditional Music to the snug upstairs in Madden’s Bar. As Belfast prepares to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2026, the podcast continues its look at the traditional music communities shaping the city and beyond. Ray and Maria share the story of how a small tin whistle group in the corner of St Enda’s GAC grew into a thriving school of traditional music, now celebrating 25 years of teaching, playing, volunteering and building community. They talk about Thursday nights at Edmund Rice College, the importance of giving young people access to instruments, the role of competitions, the value of sessions, and what the Fleadh coming to Belfast could mean for the next generation of musicians. A warm conversation about music, community, legacy and the people keeping Belfast’s traditional scene alive.

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Music at Maddens podcast from the snug upstairs in Belfast’s home of trad. Yarns, pints and laughs with well known faces from the trad music scene. Locals, visitors are all welcome to join in the chat - with Lynette Fay.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube apple verification 519768

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