JOANIE MADDEN, born in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, proudly embraces her deep Irish roots. Her mother, Helen, is from Miltown Malbay, County Clare, while her father, Joe Madden, was a renowned accordion player and bandleader from Portumna, County Galway. Growing up in a household filled with traditional Irish music, Joanie developed a lifelong passion for the rich musical heritage passed down through generations.
Within just a few years of taking up the tin whistle and flute, Joanie captured All-Ireland Championship titles on both instruments, becoming the first American to win the Senior All-Ireland Championship on the tin whistle.
Recognized as the best-selling whistle player in history, Joanie has sold more than 500,000 solo recordings through her acclaimed Song of the Irish Whistle series. A celebrated composer as well as performer, she has released 25 solo and ensemble recordings and has appeared on more than 200 albums, including three Grammy Award-winning projects. Her distinctive flute and whistle playing—and her original compositions—have been enjoyed by audiences around the world, while her performances have featured alongside artists including Don Henley, Pete Seeger, Sinéad O'Connor, Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, The Chieftains, Sir James Galway, David Gray, Judy Collins, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Earle, and Chris Thile.
Joanie's many honors include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Irish America Magazine's Top 100 Irish Americans, Traditional Musician of the Year by the Irish Voice, the USA Artists Fellowship, the Irish Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, New York's Irish Arts Center Spirit of Ireland Award, and induction into the prestigious Irish American Hall of Fame.
Joanie Madden was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship—the United States' highest honor in the folk and traditional arts—in recognition of her lifetime of artistic excellence and extraordinary contributions to America's cultural heritage. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Irish music, Joanie was also added to the Walk of Fame on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, where a street sign now bears the name "Joanie Madden and Cherish the Ladies."
Beyond the concert stage, Joanie is an internationally respected cultural ambassador, leading sold-out musical bus tours of Ireland and hosting her acclaimed Folk 'N Irish Cruises, which have welcomed more than 16,000 guests from around the world to experience the very best of Irish music, culture, history, and hospitality.
As the founder and leader of Cherish the Ladies for more than four decades, Joanie Madden continues to inspire audiences around the world through her extraordinary musicianship, boundless energy, and lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing the traditions of Irish music.
MARY COOGAN was born in New York and raised in a family where Irish traditional music was an integral part of everyday life. A founding member of Cherish the Ladies, Mary inherited her love of Irish music from her parents. Her mother hailed from Castlerea, County Roscommon, while her father, Jim Coogan, was an outstanding accordion player whose parents emigrated from County Waterford. Inspired by her family's rich musical heritage, Mary became a gifted self-taught guitarist, mandolin player, and bouzouki player.
Renowned for her sensitive accompaniment and exceptional musicianship, Mary has long been recognized as one of the finest accompanists in Irish traditional music. Acoustic Guitar magazine named her one of the Top Four Celtic Guitarists in the world, a testament to her artistry and influence within the tradition.
In addition to performing and recording extensively with Cherish the Ladies, Mary has released her solo recording Christmas, collaborated with her father on the album Passing Time, and recorded the beloved children's collection The Big Ship Sails with longtime friend Kathy Ludlow.
Beyond the concert stage, Mary has devoted her career to music education. She holds a Master's degree in Education, was recognized in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and has inspired generations of young musicians through her teaching in New York.
For more than four decades, Mary has been at the heart of Cherish the Ladies, providing the rhythmic foundation, tasteful arrangements, and warm stage presence that have become hallmarks of the ensemble's unmistakable sound.
MIRELLA MURRAY grew up in Claddaghduff on the rugged northwest coast of Connemara, County Galway. Her father, John Joe Murray, a renowned sean-nós dancer from Inishark Island, instilled in her a deep love and appreciation for Irish traditional music from an early age. Mirella studied accordion with Mary Finn and quickly established herself as one of Ireland's finest musicians, winning both the All-Ireland Accordion Championship and the All-Ireland Duet Championship with acclaimed fiddler Liz Kane.
She has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America and has appeared at many of the world's leading folk and traditional music festivals. Her recording Three Sunsets with celebrated Clare fiddler Tola Custy was named one of the Top Five Albums of the Year by The Irish Times. Mirella was also a featured soloist in the Off-Broadway production of the late Johnny Cunningham's Peter & Wendy, an adaptation of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, which received two OBIE Awards.
An outstanding teacher as well as performer, Mirella has guided twenty-five students to All-Ireland Championship titles. Her remarkable repertoire of rare and beautiful tunes has made her one of the most respected musicians in Irish traditional music, with artists including Sharon Shannon, Lúnasa, and The Bumblebees drawing upon her extensive knowledge of the tradition.
For more than two decades, Mirella has been an integral member of Cherish the Ladies, bringing her extraordinary musicianship, inventive arrangements, and unmistakable Connemara style to audiences around the world.
KATHLEEN BOYLE, from Glasgow, Scotland, comes from a family deeply rooted in the rich musical traditions of County Donegal. Her father, Hughie Boyle, is a highly respected musician who passed on his love of Irish traditional music from an early age. A gifted pianist and accordion player, Kathleen won both All-Scotland and All-Britain Championship titles on each instrument.
In 1999, Kathleen made history as the first graduate to earn a degree in Traditional Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Since then, she has established herself as one of Scotland's leading traditional musicians, performing throughout Europe, North America, and Asia with Cherish the Ladies and the acclaimed Scottish band Dòchas. Dòchas was named Best Newcomer at the 2004 Scots Traditional Music Awards and later received a nomination for Best Folk Band.
A highly respected educator, Kathleen has taught accordion and piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. She has also performed for His Majesty King Charles III (then His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales) at Holyrood Palace and for former Irish President Mary McAleese.
Kathleen's acclaimed solo recordings include An Cailín Rua (The Red-Haired Girl) and Back to Donegal, a heartfelt collaboration with her father and family celebrating their Donegal musical heritage.
As a longtime member of Cherish the Ladies, Kathleen brings exceptional musicianship, warmth, and a deep understanding of the Donegal tradition to audiences around the world.
NOLLAIG CASEY is widely regarded as one of Ireland's most gifted and distinctive fiddlers. Renowned for her uniquely expressive style and unmistakable sound, she has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, collaborating with virtually every major figure in Irish traditional music, as well as many internationally acclaimed artists.
A graduate of University College Cork, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the remarkable age of nineteen, Nollaig began her professional career with the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra before joining the groundbreaking group Planxty, helping to shape one of the most influential eras in Irish traditional music.
In addition to her work with Cherish the Ladies, Nollaig has recorded and performed with an extraordinary array of artists including Enya, Van Morrison, Sinéad O'Connor, Nanci Griffith, Ricky Skaggs, Rod Stewart, Dónal Lunny, Mary Black, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, Carlos Núñez, Andy Irvine, Moving Hearts, The Indigo Girls, Christy Moore, Liam O'Flynn, Sharon Shannon and many others. She also performed extensively with her late husband, the legendary guitarist Arty McGlynn, and alongside her sisters, Máire and Mairéad, as The Casey Sisters.
An acclaimed performer, recording artist, and educator, Nollaig has toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and beyond, sharing her exceptional artistry with audiences around the world.
Most recently, Nollaig earned her Ph.D. from Queen's University Belfast, adding distinguished academic achievement to an already remarkable musical career.
Her extraordinary musicianship, lyrical playing, and unmistakable sound continue to make her one of the most respected and influential figures in Irish traditional music today.
KATE PURCELL hails from Feakle, County Clare, and is the lead vocalist with Cherish the Ladies. Growing up in one of Ireland's richest musical regions, with legendary fiddler Martin Hayes as a neighbor, Kate was immersed in traditional Irish music from an early age. Inspired by her father's beautiful singing and extensive repertoire of traditional songs, she developed a voice that is both deeply rooted in the Irish tradition and enriched by influences from folk, blues, Americana, and country music.
Kate first came to national attention through her acclaimed solo recordings and frequent appearances on Irish radio and television. Her music has also received extensive airplay in the United Kingdom, where her songs became favorites on BBC radio. Her albums have earned awards from Irish Music Magazine, LiveIreland.com, and the Chicago Irish American News, while her songwriting and recordings have been recognized by both critics and audiences alike.
Throughout her career, Kate has shared the stage with many of Ireland's leading artists, including Cherish the Ladies, Lúnasa, Máirín Fahy, and The 4 of Us, performing throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States.
With her warm, expressive voice and heartfelt interpretations, Kate has established herself as one of Ireland's finest traditional and folk singers. Her ability to move effortlessly from powerful ballads to uplifting traditional songs has made her a favorite with audiences wherever she performs.
Cherish the Ladies is proud to feature some of the world's finest Irish dancers. Their performances regularly include World Champions, National Champions, and acclaimed alumni of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, bringing breathtaking athleticism, elegance, and excitement to every performance.