Emer Dunne, top-charting Irish folk singer, to play Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — She’s topped the Irish charts with three No. 1 singles and a No. 1 album, but for Emer Dunne, performing in the U.S. is relatively new territory.

“Folk music and songs from Ireland, Scotland and America are deeply interconnected,” said the Irish folk singer, who will play the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield on Oct. 31 as part of her debut U.S. tour “Folk Threads.”

“Before modern travel or social media, these folk songs united communities far from home. That’s what I love about the music — it’s timeless, well loved, invites people to sing along and the music is now loved by all nationalities too, bringing us together.”

She will be joined at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club by her band, composed of Eamonn Moran on guitar and Shane Meehan on fiddle.

“I decided on ‘Folk Threads,’ as the show threads together Irish folk songs that originate mainly from Ireland but also some from Scotland and America,” Dunne said, adding that the show will include classic Irish ballads as well as more contemporary music, including “something from Springsteen.”

“The name reflects combining songs from different places and times. It’s about connecting audiences with history, emotion and the energy of folk music,” she said.

Dunne has received numerous accolades overseas, with Mark Lysaght of Irish Music Magazine writing “There is a purity and strength in her voice. A hugely impressive production.”

Her latest album, 2021’s “Hourglass,” reached the top position on the Official Irish Charts, while singles from that album — “Daisy” and “Wild Mountain Thyme” — became No. 1 hits on the Irish iTunes Charts.

Along with her original music, Dunne has covered songs made famous by other artists, including Coldplay’s “Fix You,” Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Cohen’s management team praised her for her cover of the 1984 hit, calling it one of their favorite renditions of the song.

Though this is her debut U.S. tour, Dunne toured Ireland in 2023 and 2024 with renowned folk band The Fureys, and has toured across Australia with The High Kings.

The Pioneer Valley’s “strong Irish community” and “Irish pride” are what made the John Boyle O’Reilly Club a perfect stop on her U.S tour, Dunne said.

“I wanted to provide the Irish community with the opportunity to reconnect with some Irish roots and I wanted to bring our ‘Folk Threads’ show to places where audiences would really connect with the stories and songs, and Springfield felt like a perfect fit,” she said. “I’ve also heard great things about the John Boyle O’Reilly Club and the enthusiasm of the Irish music scene there, so it made sense to include it in the tour.”

Tickets to the Oct. 31 show, starting at $28.52, are available by calling Ryan Wells at 413-315-0592 or by going online to Eventbrite.com.

“I’m bringing two fantastic musicians with me, and it will be a Halloween night to remember, something different from the usual spooky events… but nothing to be scared of,” Dunne joked.