Irish song & Storytelling: Exploring Tradition with Kathryn Clements
Finding Connection Through Irish Music with Kathryn Clements
In a recent conversation on The Celtic Way Podcast,
https://open.spotify.com/episode/06mhRBy7xblwzOvbeDeFtF
For Kathryn Clements, Irish music is more than something to perform. It is a way of connecting with people, sharing stories, and keeping a tradition alive.
Kathryn is a traditional Australian-Irish singer whose relationship with Ireland has developed over decades of traveling, singing, and learning from the people she met along the way. In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, she joins Stephanie to talk about the experiences that shaped her love of Irish music, the special culture of traditional singing sessions, and why Ireland has come to feel like another home.
A Connection to Ireland Through Music
Kathryn grew up in Melbourne in a musical family. Her father, Jack, was a beautiful singer, and songs such as Danny Boy formed part of her early connection with Irish music.
But it was traveling to Ireland that brought that connection to life.
During a trip in 1985, Kathryn met Francis Clark in Mullingar. Their friendship would continue for decades, and through Francis and his family, she became increasingly immersed in Irish music and culture.
Over subsequent visits to Ireland, Kathryn attended traditional sessions, festivals, and summer schools, learning songs directly from singers and musicians.
What Makes an Irish Singing Session Special?
One of the strongest themes in Kathryn's story is the traditional Irish singing session.
Unlike a formal performance, these gatherings are centered around participation. Someone may sing a song, another person might play a tune, while someone else may share a story or poem.
Kathryn remembers being encouraged to sing in Irish pubs even when she was nervous. When a singer began, the room would quieten and people would listen.
It was the feeling of being welcomed into the circle that stayed with her.
When Kathryn returned to Melbourne, she wanted to create something with that same spirit. After teaching traditional Irish song, she developed regular singing sessions where people could come together and share music and stories in a supportive environment.
Experiencing the Tradition in Ireland
Kathryn has returned to Ireland around ten times, and one experience she speaks particularly warmly about is Willie Clancy Week in Milltown Malbay, County Clare.
During the festival, the small town comes alive with traditional Irish music, singing, and dancing. There are classes and performances, but some of Kathryn's most meaningful experiences happened informally, meeting singers, joining sessions, and learning songs directly from people who had carried them for generations.
Music, Heritage and a Sense of Home
Image credit: Dougsim, Willie Clancy memorial, Miltown Malbay, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kathryn describes herself as “very Australian," with her Irish family connection going back several generations through her mother's Ryan family. For Kathryn, that connection has grown through friendships, music, and the welcome she has received over more than 40 years.
It has also shaped her own musical journey. She has recorded seven albums and, more recently, begun writing songs inspired by her own experiences and themes, including love, hope, and freedom.
Hear Kathryn's Story on The Celtic Way Podcast
There are many stories from Kathryn's decades of traveling through Ireland that we've deliberately left for the podcast.
In the full conversation, Kathryn shares more about the singers and families who welcomed her, her experiences inside traditional Irish sessions and festivals, and the music that has traveled with her from Ireland back to Australia.
If Kathryn’s story has inspired you to experience Ireland’s music and traditions for yourself, The Celtic Way's Irish Heritage Journeys offer the opportunity to discover the culture, communities, and places that keep these traditions alive. Depending on your chosen itinerary, you can experience Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and connect more deeply with the stories, music, and people that make the country so special.
To learn more about our upcoming Irish Heritage Journeys, visit our website and discover where your own Irish journey could begin. If you’d like to hear more about Kathryn’s experiences with traditional Irish music and singing sessions, listen to her full conversation on The Irish Voices podcast on Spotify.