the original and authentic
Celtic Thunder
Terence Winch is the co-founder, button accordionist, and principal songwriter for the acclaimed traditional Irish band, Celtic Thunder, which first performed in 1977. Called “a great Irish band” by the Village Voice and “one of the best Irish folk acts in America” by The Washington Post, the band has released four albums over the years. Its second CD, The Light of Other Days, won the prestigious INDIE award for Best Celtic Album. That same recording includes Winch’s best-known song, “When New York Was Irish,” which has been covered by a multitude of other artists in the U.S. and Ireland. Twice featured in performance at the White House, the band is known for its musical exploration of Irish American life. A Celtic Thunder concert typically features a versatile mix of great singing and instrumental work, original material, championship step-dancing, and a poem or two. Winch’s That Special Place: New World Irish Stories is a collection largely centered on his experiences with the band.
[Note: Celtic Thunder should not be confused with the corporate entertainment program that appropriated the band’s name in 2008.]
[photo above of the original Celtic Thunder line-up in the late ’70s: Terence Winch, Linda Hickman, Steve Hickman, Nita Conley, Jesse Winch]
Celtic Thunder Live in Concert (2023)
Co-founded by brothers Jesse and Terence Winch, Bronx-born sons of Irish immigrants, along with Linda Hickman, Steve Hickman, and Nita Conley, the original Celtic Thunder played its first gig in May of 1977 at the Harp Pub in Baltimore, and went on to become one of the most influential traditional music groups in the U.S. Called “a great Irish band” by the Village Voice and “one of the best Irish folk acts in America” by The Washington Post, Celtic Thunder has released three earlier albums over the years. The band’s second CD, The Light of Other Days, which features Terence Winch’s now classic song “When New York Was Irish,” won the prestigious INDIE award for Best Celtic Album. In addition to touring Ireland and playing innumerable concerts, ceilis, and pubs in the U.S., Celtic Thunder also performed at the White House twice during the Clinton administration. Besides the original lineup, Celtic Thunder Live in Concert also features these members of the band—the great fiddle player Tony DeMarco, legendary singers Dominick Murray and Eileen Estes (Nita’s daughter), step-dance master and pianist Regan Wick, and up & coming fiddler Michael Winch (Terence’s son).
[Under no circumstances should the original Celtic Thunder be confused with the corporate variety production that started in 2008, collectively calling itself “Celtic Thunder.”]
1. Down by the Magdalene Green
This song is associated with Scottish Traveller Jimmy MacBeath (1894–1972).
Steve Hickman, Linda Hickman, and Nita Conley. Bluemont (Virginia) Concert Series, ca. 1978
2. The Bird in the Bush/ Paddy Lynn’s Delight
“Paddy Lynn’s Delight,” also known as “Sonny’s Return,” was composed by George Rowley in honor of Sonny Brogan. Steve Hickman (harmonica) and Linda Hickman (flute). Bluemont Concert Series, ca. 1978
3. Farewell To Fuinary
Lyrics by Norman MacLeod (1783–1862). Nita Conley (lead vocals, piano), Linda Hickman (lead vocals), Dominick Murray (harmony vocals), Eileen Estes (harmony vocals). Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitso)’s Irish Evening concert, Feb. 9, 2007.
4. The Cup of Tea/ The Earl’s Chair/ The Cameronian
Tony DeMarco (fiddle), Jesse Winch (bodhran), Linda Hickman (flute), Terence Winch (button accordion), Dominick Murray (guitar). Irish Evening, Feb. 24, 2006.
5. Goodbye, Johnny Dear
A song written by Clareman Johnny Patterson (1840–89). Dominick Murray (lead vocal, guitar), Nita Conley & Eileen Estes (harmony vocals), Terence Winch (button accordion), Tony DeMarco (fiddle). Irish Evening, Feb 9, 2018.
6. Hanley’s Tweed/ The Swallow’s Nest
Two reels composed by the great Tipperary accordionist Paddy O’Brien (1922–1991).
Linda Hickman (whistle), Jesse Winch (bodhran). Irish Evening, Feb. 24, 2006.
7. Be Thou My Vision
The words to this song date back to the 8th Century. Originally in the Irish language, the piece was long part of Irish monastic tradition. In 1912, Eleanor Hull came up with the verse translation into English that is usually sung today. In the 1920s, a Welsh composer (David Evans) put the words together with the air of an old Irish tune called “Slane.” Eileen Estes (lead vocal, guitar), Terence Winch (button accordion), Linda Hickman (whistle). Irish Evening, Feb. 17, 2012
8. The Fisherman
A slip jig (also known as “Redican’s Mother”) from Tony DeMarco (fiddle) and Linda Hickman (flute). Listen for the soft-shoe step-dancing. Irish Evening [year unknown].
9. Johnny, Lovely Johnny
Also known as “The High Walls of Derry,” this song is often associated with singer Paddy Tunney. Linda Hickman (lead vocal), Jesse Winch (guitar), Tony DeMarco (fiddle), Eileen Estes (harmony vocals). Irish Evening, Feb. 8, 2008.
10. My Darling Asleep/ My Brother Seamus/ The New York Jig
“My Brother Seamus” is a tune written by Terence Winch for his brother Jesse; “The New York Jig” is also known as “Paddy’s Resource” in the O’Neill collection. Terence Winch (button accordion), Linda Hickman (flute), Jesse Winch (harmonica, bodhran), Regan Wick (piano). Irish Evening, Feb. 1997
11. I’m Already in Love
A song composed and sung by Eileen Estes, recorded here on the very day it was written. Irish Evening, Feb. 10, 2017.
12. Showman’s Fancy/ Ships in Full Sail/ The Dawn
Tony DeMarco dazzles on fiddle. Irish Evening, Feb. 9, 2018.
13. Dead Stop
Poem composed and read by Terence Winch, with Jesse Winch (guitar) and Dominick Murray (vocals). Irish Evening, Feb. 10, 2017
14. The Derry Hornpipe/ Speed the Plow
Tony DeMarco (fiddle), Terence Winch (button accordion), Linda Hickman (flute), Dominick Murray (guitar). Irish Evening, Feb 24, 2006.
15. When New York Was Irish
The band’s best-known song, composed by Terence Winch. Dominick Murray (lead vocal), Terence Winch (button accordion), Linda Hickman (whistle), Tony DeMarco (fiddle), Nita Conley & Eileen Estes (harmony vocals). Irish Evening, Feb. 9, 2018.
16. Siobhan O’Donnell’s/ The Morning Dew/ The Commodore / Bodhran solo/ The Thunder Reel
“Siobhan O’Donnell’s” was composed by Offaly flute player John Brady; “The Commodore” was composed by Billy McComiskey & Brendan Mulvihill; “The Thunder Reel” is by Terence Winch. Linda Hickman (flute), Tony Demarco (fiddle), Michael Winch (fiddle), Jesse Winch (bodhran), Terence Winch (box). Irish Evening, Feb. 8, 2008.
Celtic Thunder members who appear on this recording are Jesse Winch, Terence Winch, Steve Hickman, Linda Hickman, Nita Conley, Tony DeMarco, Dominick Murray, Regan Wick, Eileen Estes, and Michael Winch.
Produced by Terence Winch. Edited and mastered by Jeff Gruber of Blue House Studios, Silver Spring, Maryland. Design by Karen Siatras. Cover photo by Scott Ortel, 2012. “When New York Was Irish,” “My Brother Seamus,” “Dead Stop,” and “The Thunder Reel” are ©Terence Winch/Celtic Thunder Music. “I’m Already in Love,” ©Eileen Estes. “The Commodore,” ©Billy McComiskey & Brendan Mulvihill. “Hanley’s Tweed” and “The Swallow’s Nest” were composed by Paddy O’Brien. “Paddy Lynn’s Delight” was composed by George Rowley. “Goodbye, Johnny Dear” was written by Johnny Patterson. “Siobhan O’Donnell’s” was composed by John Brady.
Celtic Thunder, Live in Concert 1978-2018
Now, if you prefer traditional Irish musical “rare old stuff,” there’s a wonderful new album by (the Original) Celtic Thunder, titled Celtic Thunder Live in Concert 1978-2018 (Free Dirt Records). This is beautiful “old-time” Irish-American music by the group founded in the Harp pub in Baltimore by “narrowback” brothers Terence and Jesse Winch, Bronx-born sons of Irish immigrants, who joined with Linda Hickman, Steve Hickman, and Nita Conley on three grand albums which included Terence Winch’s classic song, “When New York Was Irish.” The group performed in the White House and in venues up and down the American east coast. On these live sessions, the original group is joined by Terence’s son fiddler Michael Winch, fiddler Tony DeMarco, singers Dominick Murray and Eileen Estes, and step dancer/pianist Regan Wick. Along with, of course, a great version of “When New York Was Irish,” there are rousing jigs, reels, love songs, a stunning poem by Terence Winch (“Dead Stop”) and a stand-out performance of Norman MacLeod’s heart-breaking ballad “Farewell to Fuinary”. Old school Irish American music? You bet! Sentimental and heart-touching? Damn straight! Great music to get you up and dancing, or just listening with a tear brimming and a smile forming? Most def! Get this album and you will play it again and again–guaranteed!
—Poet/journalist Bill Nevins, March 15, 2023
The Irish Riviera:
The Winch Family Band & Co. (2023)
Sons of Irish immigrants, Jesse and his brother Terence founded the original Celtic Thunder band in 1977 and have continued to be leaders of Irish-American cultural life throughout the Washington metropolitan area, Terence as both musician and writer. Some of his poetry and other writing takes its subject matter from their upbringing in a Bronx immigrant neighborhood, including “When New York Was Irish” and the album’s title song, “The Irish Riviera,” a love-letter to Rockaway Beach, New York. Former cathaoirleach (chairman) of the O’Neill Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Jesse was elected to CCÉ’s Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame in 2012.
Taking up the torch, Michael Winch released This Day Too with Jesse and Terence, and most recently a solo fiddle album, Sleep Waltz. Fiona Winch started taking Irish dance lessons with Sean Culkin at age six and began learning Irish songs as a teenager. With a background in piano and guitar, Patrick Winch’s love for Irish music led him to the tenor banjo, the instrument played by his namesake and grandfather.
Cover photo shows Patrick & Bridie (Flynn) Winch at the beach ca. 1938 with Eileen, Kevin, and Patricia, Jesse and Terence’s older siblings. The music on this album is a celebration of family and community.
1. Joe Bane’s Schottische/The Gypsy Princess
Two tunes we play as barn dances- the first is also known as “Mickey Malley’s,” and “The Gypsy Princess” Patrick learned from banjo maestro Brendan Coyne.
Patrick, banjo; Jesse, piano and ceili drums; Michael, fiddle; Terence, button accordion.
2. The Irish Riviera
A composition by Terence Winch commemorating the Irish community in Rockaway Beach in Queens, which was a vacation destination for the Irish immigrant population in New York City for decades. 103rd Street was a major focus of Irish entertainment where you could hear and even meet acts like The McNulty Family, which featured Ma McNulty (who kept several accordions on hand so she could switch keys easily if the song so required), Pete McNulty singing and dancing (“Pete on the feet, his mother on the box…”), and Eileen McNulty.
Fiona, lead vocal; Eileen Estes, harmony vocal; Jesse, guitar; Michael, fiddle; Zan, bass.
3. The Banks of Lough Gowna/The Boys of Lough Gowna/Jesse and Francesca’s Miracle
“The Banks of Lough Gowna” is a session staple; “The Boys of Lough Gowna” is a composition of Paddy O’Brien’s (Tipperary); and “Jesse and Francesca’s Miracle” was written by button-accordion virtuoso John Whelan on the birth of Fiona. We are fortunate to have John join us on this medley.
John, button accordion; Patrick, banjo; Alice Bradley; fiddle; Jessica Zito, fiddle; Zan, guitar; Jesse, bodhrán.
4. The Lake Isle of Innisfree
This song is the William Butler Yeats poem set to music & made popular by New York-based singer Mary Courtney. Fiona learned this from Mary’s singing after hearing a version from Linda Hickman.
Fiona, vocal; Jesse, guitar; Patrick, lead guitar.
5. Paddy on the Turnpike
“Paddy on the Turnpike” is a tune heard both in Ireland and Appalachia. The Irish version has three parts, the Appalachian version, played here, has two. Tony DeMarco plays the Irish version on his acclaimed Sligo Indians album, a tune he learned from Paddy Reynolds.
Jesse, 5-string banjo; Brendan, fiddle; Zan, guitar.
6. An Raibh Tú ar an gCarraig? (Were You at the Rock?)
The poem and air “An raibh tú ar an gCarraig?” is attributed to Dominic ó Mongain, or Dominic Mungan, an Irish harper and poet, born around 1715 in County Tyrone. This is sometimes known as the “Mass Rock Song,” dating back to penal times in Ireland when it was against the English-imposed law to attend Mass. The faithful would meet secretly at a designated spot to hear Mass and to exchange news and information. The song asks, “were you at the rock and did you see my love?” The singer would vary the answer depending on whether it was safe to attend Mass. Fiona learned this song and “Mo Ghile Mear” from County Cork native Jennifer O’Riordan, Irish speaker and singer, and former Assistant Director of the Irish Studies Program at Catholic University in Washington, DC.
Fiona, unaccompanied vocal.
7. Fiona’s Reel/Porthole of the Kelp/Flagstone of Memories
“Fiona’s Reel” is a composition of fiddle ace Brendan Callahan, who wrote the tune in 1995 in celebration of Fiona’s birth and recorded it on his solo CD, Where I Am! “Porthole of the Kelp” is a traditional tune, and “Flagstone of Memories” was composed by the great Loughrea, Galway, flute-player, Vincent Broderick.
Brendan, fiddle; Patrick, banjo; Zan, guitar; Jesse, bodhrán; Terence, button accordion.
8. The Foggy Dew
A traditional song Fiona learned from the singing of Ye Vagabonds, a wonderful duet featuring two brothers, Brian and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn, from Co. Carlow, now living on the island of Arranmore, Donegal, their ancestral home ground.
Fiona, vocal; Jesse, guitar; Patrick, low octave mandolin.
9. The Banks of the Roses
Another traditional song found in many collections, including Colm O’Loughlain’s Irish Street Ballads. Fiona learned this version from Robbie O’Connell while attending his singing class during Musical Arts and Dance (MAD) Week summer camp in Maryland (sponsored by the O’Neill Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann).
Fiona, lead vocal; Eileen, harmony vocal; Jesse, mandola and harmonica; Zan, guitar.
10. The Maid in the Cherry Tree/Cronin’s/Paddy Fahey’s
Cousins Michael and Patrick take charge of these three great reels. Patrick learned them from Michael, and Michael learned “The Maid in the Cherry Tree” from Mick O’Brien and Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh’s album The Deadly Buzz; “Cronin’s” from Jack Talty and Cormac Begley’s album, Na Fir Bolg; and “Paddy Fahey’s” from Liz Kane in 2006 at the first MAD Week.
Michael, fiddle; Patrick, banjo; Zan, guitar.
11. Bold Reilly
Fiona learned this sea-chanty/lullaby from the beautiful singing of Kate Rusby from South Yorkshire, England.
Fiona, vocal; Jesse, guitar and harmonica.
12. The Galway Belle
A popular Irish polka which here lends itself to an Appalachian interpretation.
Jesse, 5-string banjo and harmonica; Brendan, fiddle; Tina, flute; Terence, button accordion; Zan, guitar.
13. Mo Ghile Mear (My Gallant Darling)
Fiona learned this rousing Irish language march from the aforementioned Jennifer O’Riordan. The contemporary version of this song was composed in the early 1970s by Dónaló Liathain (1934-2008), using a traditional air collected in Cuil Aodha, County Cork, and lyrics selected from Irish-language poems by Seán “Clárach” Mac Domhnaill (1691-1754).
Fiona, vocal; Jesse, bodhrán.
14. Ballyea/Hangin’ at the Crossroads
“Ballyea” was written by Quentin Cooper and “Hangin’ at the Crossroads” by Eoin O’Neill. The source of both tunes is the album Hangin’ at the Crossroads by The Ceili Bandits, which also features Yvonne Casey and Kevin Griffin. These two great tunes have become a staple for the Irish Inn Mates.
Patrick, banjo; Jesse, bodhran and mandola; Mitch Fanning, fiddle; Zan, guitar.
15. When New York Was Irish
Another Terence Winch composition, originally recorded on Celtic Thunder’s 1988 Indie Award-winning Green Linnet album, The Light of Other Days. Covered by a multitude of recording artists around the world, it has become an Irish music classic. This is the first family version.
Fiona, lead vocal; Eileen, harmony vocal; Jesse, guitar; Michael, fiddle; Terence, button accordion; Zan, bass.
Thanks to the great musicians who lent their talents to this project, and also thanks to Francesca Winch, Susan Campbell, friends of The Irish Inn, and the Washington DC Irish music community for supporting our music. With special thanks to Zan McLeod for his patience, engineering expertise, and guitar virtuosity.
With special guests: Zan McLeod (guitar, bass); John Whelan (button accordion);
Brendan Callahan (fiddle); Mitch Fanning (fiddle); Tina Eck (flute); Eileen Estes (harmony vocals); Jessica Zito (fiddle); Alice Bradley (fiddle).
This Day Too
Music From Irish America
in 2017, Free Dirt Records & Celtic Thunder Music released This Day Too: Music from Irish America with Terence Winch, Michael Winch, and Jesse Winch. The recording features traditional and original songs and tunes from one of the DC area’s best-known Irish-American musical families, aided and abetted by 12 friends and fellow musicians from Washington’s traditional music community—Patrick Armstrong, Tina Eck, Eileen Estes, Brian Gaffney, Conor Hearn, Seamus Kennedy, Nita Conley Korn, Zan McLeod, Brendan Mulvihill, Connor Murray, Dominick Murray, and Madeline Waters, with a posthumous contribution from Paddy Winch and P. J. Conway. This is the first album featuring new material from Terence Winch—composer of many of the original Celtic Thunder’s best-known songs—in almost 10 years.
Left: video of “Childhood Ground,” one of the songs from This Day Too. It features many Winch family photos to accompany this story of how the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway devastated the borough.
“A joyful celebration of art and community, this recording is long overdue.” —Mick Moloney
“I love this album!” —Earle Hitchner
“This Day Too… is a loving paean to the community that hits the kind of sweet notes that will resonate with many in Irish America. Few on the east coast need to be introduced to the Winches, as they’ve been so involved in Irish cultural expression for so long…. The album’s centerpiece is undoubtedly “Childhood Ground,” a slow lament that Eileen Estes delivers with great sympathy… This Day Too celebrates Irish-American identity…. It plumbs the memory of a prominent New York Irish family whose formative experiences likely resonate broadly within the Irish American community…. But at the same time, by bringing this experience—and more importantly, the family’s music—to life, they speak to a more contemporary sense of Irish Americanness, which is something that gives this album a more thorough sense of ‘journey’ than might be expected. It’s one to check out!”
—Daniel Neely, The Irish Echo
“‘Childhood Ground’ and the title song represent contemporary Irish-folk writing at its most potent. “This Day Too,” which addresses the way we experience the relentless passage of time, won’t soon leave your memory, especially if you’re of the age when sunset is closer to you than sunrise.
—Jerome Clark, Rambles.net
“This recording is not only full of lovely music, it evokes a sense of the kind of community of friends and musicians and makes us wish we could spend time with them, learn their tunes, laugh and cry with them when the songs are sung and poems recited. Terence Winch, acclaimed poet, songwriter and accordionist, his brother Jesse, great bodhran and harmonica player and guitarist, and Terence’s son Michael, a strong fiddler, are the heart of this recording…. The composed tunes and traditional tunes are of a kind, lovely ornamented moments in the long sweep of Irish music, the new indistinguishable from the old…. Terence’s songs are by turns brilliant and heart-wrenching. .. “Childhood Ground” is powerful and heartbreaking, and “This Day Too” is wistful and rich. … This is just a wonderful recording.” —Kevin Carr, Fiddler Magazine
