A podcast exploring the unwritten social codes of Irish traditional music sessions has been nominated for four categories at the 2026 NYC Podcast Awards, with the ceremony taking place this Friday, March 13th at Bravo Studios in New York City.
In Tune with Tradition – Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music, created and hosted by Glenties-based fiddle player, Tara Connaghan, has been shortlisted in the following categories:
· Best Interview Podcast
· Best Entertainment & Pop Culture Podcast
· Best Society & Culture Podcast
· Special Recognition: Music Podcast
Based on the published nominees list, the podcast is the only Irish-based podcast nominated at this year’s awards, representing Ireland at an international ceremony that primarily features productions from the United States and the UK.
The podcast explores the culture and subtle social dynamics of Irish traditional music sessions, which are informal gatherings where musicians come together to play, listen, and learn from one another. Through conversations with some of the most respected figures in Irish traditional music, the series examines how musicians integrate into sessions, the importance of listening, and the quiet hierarchies that shape these established musical spaces.
Guests on the podcast include leading traditional musicians such as Martin Hayes, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Kevin Crawford, Siobhán Peoples, Enda Scahill and Leonard Barry.
Since launching its debut season, In Tune with Tradition has quickly built an international audience, with over 25,000 downloads across listeners in more than 70 countries, including strong audiences in Ireland, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The podcast is also increasingly being used as a teaching resource and part of curriculum discussions in music schools and Irish traditional music programmes
internationally, where students use the episodes to explore the cultural context and social dynamics of session playing.
“Irish music sessions are one of the most important cultural spaces we have in Ireland, but the etiquette around them is rarely explained,” Connaghan said. “The podcast looks at the human side of sessions, the listening, the respect, the quiet hierarchies and it helps musicians, especially newcomers and learners, understand how to enter those spaces with less anxiety.”
As well as the adjudicated awards, public voting is also in place for three of the awards and is currently open. Supporters can vote once per day until Thursday, March 12th.
Votes can be cast at:
https://www.silver-nyc.com/nycpodcastawards/vote
The NYC Podcast Awards celebrate excellence in global podcasting across a wide range of categories including journalism, culture, entertainment, documentary and music.
Connaghan will attend the ceremony in New York on March 13th, where winners will be announced. If the podcast wins the public vote category, the award will return to Donegal and be placed on display in The Glen Tavern in Glenties, reflecting the session culture that inspired the project.
