“Dervish are simply brilliant. . they carry Irish history with them.” - The Guardian

For more than three decades, Dervish have carried the sound of northwest Ireland far beyond County Sligo, building a reputation as one of the most respected and enduring groups in Irish traditional music. Led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Cathy Jordan, the band blends flute, fiddle, guitar, accordion, and mandola into a vibrant ensemble sound rooted in tradition but open to new voices and interpretations.

That balance continues on the group’s latest project, The Great Irish Songbook, Vol. 2: Poets & Storytellers, a companion to 2019's The Great Irish Songbook. This time around, Dervish turn their attention to modern Irish songwriting, reimagining material from artists whose work has shaped the country’s musical landscape. Songs associated with Sinéad O’Connor, Shane MacGowan, Van Morrison, Glen Hansard, and Moya Brennan are given fresh life through the band’s rich folk arrangements and Jordan’s expressive vocals.

As with the first volume, collaboration plays a central role. The album brings together a wide-ranging cast of guest artists including Indigo Girls, Aoife O’Donovan, Iron & Wine, Sarah Jarosz, Sister Sadie, Madeleine Peyroux, the Del McCoury Band, Eddi Reader, along with Glen Hansard and Moya Brennan themselves. The result highlights how Irish songwriting continues to travel across genres and borders while remaining deeply connected to its roots.

Since forming in 1989, Dervish have become ambassadors for Irish music on stages around the world, performing everywhere from Glastonbury to Rock in Rio. The BBC recognized that legacy with a lifetime achievement award in 2019, calling the band “an icon of Irish music.” With a catalog now stretching across more than a dozen albums and a reputation built on electrifying live performances, Dervish continue to prove why they remain one of the most vital voices in contemporary Irish folk.