Upcoming Events
Workshop - Séagda Coyle and Eugene Bender
Workshop will take place before the Second-Saturday Session. Join us to learn tips and tricks for playing collaboratively with other musicians. Learn to identify and enjoy the musical conversations you can have while playing tunes with fiddle player Eugene Bender and box player Séagda Coyle.
Pre-registration encouraged but not required, $10 suggested donation.
October - Second Saturday Session
Come join us for a fantastic session with musicians Séagda Coyle and Eugene Bender.
Sessions are free and open to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated!
Eugene Bender began learning the Sligo style of Traditional Irish fiddling when he was in the 3rd Grade, studying with Jo-Ellen Blossom. He spent the next 13 years learning from famed fiddler and teacher Brian Conway and won 1st Place in the under-18 fiddle competition at the Mid-Atlantic region fleadh in 2007. He also studied classical violin at the Music Conservatory of Westchester for 5 years and was first violin in The Baroque Ensemble, The String Ensemble and the Orchestra. He was Concertmaster/violinist of the Manhattan College Orchestra for all 4 years of his undergraduate career, as well as being a member/secretary of the Manhattan College Jazz Band. He continues to be a very much ‘in-demand’ fiddler at concerts and sessions in the Tri-State area.
Séagda Coyle began playing the button accordion at the age of 7. Beginning his lessons under Mary Rafferty, Seagda went on to study under John Nolan where he learned most of his music. His primary influences were Joe Madden, Joe Burke, and Bobby Gardiner. A multiple time Mid-Atlantic Champion, All-Ireland medalist, leader of the senior New York Ceili Bands, and former co-instructor of multiple under-age Ceili Bands in the Bronx area, has worked to promote traditional Irish music to the next generation. Seagda has traveled throughout the USA, Mexico, Ireland, and Canada while touring with various groups, most recently with the group, Socks in the Frying Pan. Seagda released his solo album “Rip the Bellows” in 2017 featuring John Walsh, Kathleen Boyle, and Steve Wickins.
Bender and Coyle House Concert
P.V. O’Donnell Branch CCE is thrilled to welcome back two fan-favorite musicians from New York: Séagda Coyle and Eugene Bender.
Experience an unforgettable night of traditional music up close. This special house concert is the ultimate way to showcase the master craftsmanship and vibrant energy that make Séagda and Eugene branch favorites. Grab your spot early—you won't want to miss this!
Neighborhood street parking, BYOB.
There are cats living in the house, so if you are allergic, plan accordingly!
More details will be emailed to ticket holders prior to concert date.
September - Second Saturday Session
Come join us for the first Second-Saturday Session of the 2026-2027 season!
Sessions are free and open to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Ivan Goff - uilleann pipes / Irish flute
Ivan is from Dublin and is a member of Irish traditional band Danú. He has performed/toured worldwide in duets and ensembles with many household names of Irish music including Iarla Ó Lionáird, Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh, Martin Hayes, Cormac Breatnach, Eileen Ivers, Dervish, Lúnasa, and more recently with Irish Music Masters with John Doyle, Seamus Egan, John Williams, and Cathie Ryan. Since arriving in New York over two decades ago, Ivan's credits range from film and theater to guest appearances with the New York Philharmonic. Ivan has performed at venues such as MoMA, The Guggenheim, Disney Hall (LA) and on Broadway in productions such as Riverdance, Sting's The Last Ship, and Come From Away. Ivan has masters degrees from University College Dublin, Queens University Belfast, and a PhD in music from NYU.
May - Second Saturday Session
Come and join us for our traditional music session, hosted this month by Brooklyn-based fiddler and singer Liz Hanley.
Liz Hanley is a Brooklyn based singer and fiddle player across many genres.
Growing up in Boston, Hanley learned traditional fiddle tunes from family and friends. She attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory school where she studied with Blanka Bednarz and Eric Rosenblith. Hanley graduated from NYU with a BM in violin performance. There she studied with NYC Ballet concertmaster Arturo Delmoni and folk musician/ethnomusicologist Dr. Mick Moloney. She has toured globally with Mick Moloney and the Green Fields of America, as well as prog folk rock ensemble Frogbelly and Symphony chamber rock band Emanuel and the Fear and folk duo The Murphy Beds.
Hanley spent many years living between Brooklyn, NY and Sheffield, England, immersed in the both city’s rich folk music scenes and collecting songs and tunes. Today she can be found mostly playing around NYC in the Irish traditional seisiún scene.
All are welcome, donations appreciated.
Workshop with Liz Hanley
Join us before the session for a workshop with world-renowned singer and fiddle player Liz Hanley.
Arranging a Song in a Session:
In this workshop, we will talk about ways to come up with arrangements on the fly in a session setting. We’ll talk about harmony, dynamics, how to keep it simple and have a good time, what a singer can do in advance to help their experience and others in the session, what other instrumentalists and singers can do or not do to support the song and the singer. We’ll apply these ideas and collaborate together.
All are welcome, no pre-registration required. $10 suggested donation.
House Concert- David and Patrick Doocey
Intimate house concert, runs from 7:30 to 10 PM. Seating is limited, advanced purchase required.
Second-Saturday Session feat. David and Patrick Doocey
April’s Second-Saturday Session, featuring David and Patrick Doocey.
Session will run from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Irish Heritage Society in Milford, and is open to the public.
Workshop - Patrick Doocey
This is a guitar focused backing workshop. Patrick will explore the intricacies of playing in Drop D with an emphasis on chord shapes as well as right hand rhythmic patterns to help improve your backing. He will walk through how he approaches chordal decisions while backing tunes and provide interactive examples.
$10 suggested donation, no advanced registration required.
Workshop - David Doocey
This workshop is open to all instruments, but fiddle focused. David will provide a deep level of instruction on tunes and detailed ornamentation work in both the right and left hand. Workshop will be accessible to all level players.
$10 suggested donation, no advanced registration required.