The gathering of local and visiting singers to share songs and company has been the backbone of ITSC’s existence since it was established in 1988. These nights are our link to generations of Inishowen singers who sang for the pure enjoyment and pleasure of shared company. This continues to sit at the heart of our monthly Friday gatherings.
The loyal regular gang who meet, are always delighted to hear each other’s old and new songs, but also love to hear a new voice and a new song. With that in mind, in 2025 we began the ITSC Singing Session Series, inviting singers from other song communities to join us – not as a ‘performance’ but to become part of our night’s singing. Such was the success of these nights featuring Derry and Donegal singers, that the series continues in 2026, with invites going far and wide across the island of Ireland. This includes the chance to hear Irish language singers in Inishowen, a predominantly English language song tradition.
With permission from all involved, the nights are being recorded for our own ITSC archive, to build on the recording legacy of Jimmy McBride in the 1980s-2000s – a record of songs and singers from another generation. Our ambition is to archive and share these songs online so that others can enjoy the sound of our nights, and learn the songs.
2026 looks every bit as promising as 2025 with a great mix of English and Irish language singers joining us from Donegal, Louth, Belfast, Meath, Fermanagh, Carlow, and Offaly. While some singers may have joined us at Singing Weekends, these session nights give us more time and space to listen. For a few it will be their first trip to Inishowen. Regardless, we look forward to each and every night with a sense of quiet excitement.
The inaugural 2025 Session Series far exceeded any of our expectations, as month by month, each singer brought something unique to the night. We learned about where they got their songs, and about the singers they have met along the way. Listening back to those nights we have recorded, you can hear the warmth and fun in the air, and amazing singing – what more could we ask for.