The Folk Music Society of Ireland was founded in 1971. Its mission was to encourage interest in traditional music in Ireland and its practice and to promote research on this and related subjects. Committee members included Seán Corcoran, Sandra Joyce, Niall Keegan, John Moulden, Tom Munnelly

Tom Munnelly

-Early years:Tom Munnelly was born in Rathmines in Dublin, and went to Clogher Road technical college. He took up factory work at the age of 15. At a scout camp he became intetersted in folk songs. To enlarge his own repertoire he acquired a tape recorder. In 1965 Munnelly met an Irish Traveller...

, Dr Hugh Shields

Hugh Shields

Dr Hugh Shields was an authority on Irish traditional music and a founder member of the Folk Music Society of Ireland and the Irish Traditional Music Archive. He was also a senior lecturer in French at Trinity College, Dublin...

 (who was the first Honorary Secretary) and Dr Thérèse Smith. In 2003 it was decided that the Society should continue in existence only as a publishing body.

Journal

Éigse Cheol Tíre was the journal of the society. Its editors were Hugh Shields, Nicholas Carolan and Thérèse Smith.

Newsletter

Ceol Tíre, the newsletter for members, was published from 1973 until December 1989. It was edited by Hugh Shields.

Publications

A number of books on Irish folk music, songs and musical history were published and more are in the pipeline. These include the following:

• Old Dublin songs, ed. Hugh Shields (1988)

• A short discography of Irish folk music, by Nicholas Carolan (1987)