Loretta Egan Murphy

Loretta Egan Murphy grew up in New York City, and was immersed in Irish culture from an early age. Both of Loretta’s parents emigrated from Ireland to the USA in the 1950s. Loretta studied Irish music on the button accordion with Pete Kelly, the renowned county Galway musician. She was a founding member of the Shannonaires Ceili Band, which played throughout Ireland in a concert tour in the 1970s. She was the recipient of many national and international championship awards.

Loretta has taught hundreds of music students over the years in the tri-state area. She is very active in Irish traditional music events throughout Connecticut, and plays regularly at music sessions, concerts, dances and festivals. She has performed in concert with members of internationally recognized groups including Cherish the Ladies, the P.V. O’ Donnell Band, Music in the Glen, and the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society. She has been the featured artist in concert at The Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, and a faculty member at the esteemed Catskills Irish Arts Week. Her CD entitled “Beyond the Watery Lane” was released in 2012, and was received with critical acclaim. Excerpts of this CD are featured in the documentary “Dancing at the Crossroads” which has been televised by National Public Television, and the ongoing “Society and Culture” podcast series presented by Kevin Ferguson.