Joan Hanrahan (Fiddle) lives in Lissycasey, Co. Clare. The eldest of five girls, Joan grew up in a house where traditional
Irish music, song and dance were an integral part of everyday life. Her father John plays accordion, her late mum Patricia
sang songs from her native Scotland, her sister Lorraine plays flute, Colleen sings and plays accordion, Fiona played
concertina and Louise plays piano and concertina. On leaving school, Joan decided to make music her career, and has
been a music teacher in Rice College, Ennis, since 1997. She has actively passed on the tradition to her many students in
County Clare, coaching numerous bannaí chéilí, grúpaí cheoil, duets and trios to national success. Joan teaches at the
Willie Clancy Summer School annually. Her music has also brought her to France, the UK, Cape Breton, San Francisco,
Monaco, and she taught fiddle in Australia in 1998.
In 1999, Joan joined Clare FM, and continues to present Coisle an Cheoil, a traditional Irish music programme, every
Monday night. Joan’s association with radio broadcasting has encouraged her passion for interviewing and collecting the
music, songs and stories of the many amazing and interesting characters whom she is fortunate enough to meet.
Joan has been a member of various groups through the years, and recorded the CD Live at Lena's with The Lahawns in
2001. She appears on various compilation albums, including Ceol na mBan and In Praise of Lissycasey. In 2002, on career
break, Joan read for her MA in Ethnomusicology in the University of Limerick.
Irish music, song and dance were an integral part of everyday life. Her father John plays accordion, her late mum Patricia
sang songs from her native Scotland, her sister Lorraine plays flute, Colleen sings and plays accordion, Fiona played
concertina and Louise plays piano and concertina. On leaving school, Joan decided to make music her career, and has
been a music teacher in Rice College, Ennis, since 1997. She has actively passed on the tradition to her many students in
County Clare, coaching numerous bannaí chéilí, grúpaí cheoil, duets and trios to national success. Joan teaches at the
Willie Clancy Summer School annually. Her music has also brought her to France, the UK, Cape Breton, San Francisco,
Monaco, and she taught fiddle in Australia in 1998.
In 1999, Joan joined Clare FM, and continues to present Coisle an Cheoil, a traditional Irish music programme, every
Monday night. Joan’s association with radio broadcasting has encouraged her passion for interviewing and collecting the
music, songs and stories of the many amazing and interesting characters whom she is fortunate enough to meet.
Joan has been a member of various groups through the years, and recorded the CD Live at Lena's with The Lahawns in
2001. She appears on various compilation albums, including Ceol na mBan and In Praise of Lissycasey. In 2002, on career
break, Joan read for her MA in Ethnomusicology in the University of Limerick.
Turloughmore Ceilí Band