New York ‘GIRSA’ has local connections

An eight-piece group of traditional Irish musicians is currently taking New York by storm, winning rave reviews from musicians and music critics alike throughout the state and further afield.  

The octet of young ladies, whose group is called ‘GIRSA’ – a derivative of girseacha, the Gaelic translation for girls - are all American by birth but the father of two of the girls, Emily and Kristen McShane, is a native of Crossmaglen.  

Peter McShane, son of Mary and the late Mickey, was raised in Cornonagh and emigrated to New York more than twenty years ago.    There he met and married his wife Debbie and they now have four daughters.

Both Peter and Debbie come from very talented musical families – Peter’s father was a self-taught fiddle player and played in a local group - and this had a significant influence on their daughters.  The group is managed by Debbie’s sister, Pat Geraghty, whose daughter Pamela is also one of the performers.

Most of GIRSA’s members come from musical families, their parents having learned Irish music from such greats as Martin Mulvihill, Maureen Glynn Connolly and Pete Kelly and some of the parents and their friends now carry on this great tradition by teaching music in their own communities. 

Raised in an environment surrounded by traditional Irish music, the girls have competed at fleadhanna in New York and also in Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, where they have scooped many top prizes. 

Having played together since childhood, the eight friends took the decision to form their own traditional Irish group four years ago and they have gone from strength to strength since.

Recently, GIRSA released its debut self-titled CD, featured 16 tracks steeped in Irish tradition and reflecting the many talents of the group members.  Sixteen-year-old Emily McShane features on lead vocals, piano and bodhran while her sister, Kristen (19) plays fiddle and caixixi.  The remaining band members appear on the CD as follows: Deirdre Brennan (fiddle/vocals/mandolin), Margaret Dudasik (fiddle/vocals/dancing), Bernadette Flanagan (piano/bodhran /dancing), Maeve Flanagan (fiddle/whistle/darbuka), Pamela Geraghty (accordion/guitar/vocals/cajon) and Blaithin Loughran (accordion/cajon).

The CD has won acclaim from both musicians and music critics with renowned Irish fiddler, Brian Conway, describing the music as “simply exquisite” adding “these young ladies have a refreshing sound that shows a deep, abiding respect for the tradition.”

Earle Hitchner, Music critic for The Irish Echo newspaper in New York said the musicians of GIRSA “point to a new rising in Irish American traditional music” with their debut album, while Joanie Madden, of Cherish the Ladies said the combined talent of the girls “is frightening” and described them as “a force to be reckoned with.”

These reviews are very impressive, however, local listeners can form their own opinions as the CD is currently on sale in Creggan Stores, Donnelly’s, Crossmaglen and Murphy’s shop, Glassdrummond.  Alternatively, copies can be had from Angela McKeever on (028) 30868819 – from the Republic ring (048) 30868819 - or visit www.girsamusic.com.