Dervish land major TV deal with American broadcaster PBS

THE GREAT IRISH SONGBOOK

Premieres on PBS Stations Beginning February 27, 2026

Celebrate the Powerful Irish Tradition of Song with Dervish,

David Gray, Imelda May, Moya Brennan, Indigo Girls, Kate Rusby

Brian Kennedy and More

Credit: Tim Jarvis

Join internationally acclaimed Sligo-based

band Dervish and special guests David Gray,

Imelda May, Moya Brennan (of Clannad),

Indigo Girls, Brian Kennedy, Kate Rusby and

more to celebrate the uniquely powerful Irish

tradition of song, a tradition as popular in

America as it is at home. One of the world’s

most renowned and imaginative interpreters of

Irish folk music, Dervish have devoted the last

three decades to gently reinventing the

traditional songs of their homeland. Featuring

stunning footage of Ireland and filmed at the

London Palladium, Dublin’s National Concert

Hall, and more intimate venues like Leo’s

Tavern in Donegal, THE GREAT IRISH

SONGBOOK is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning

Friday, February 27, 2026 (check local listings), and will be available for streaming

with PBS Passport.

Reflecting the American experience for almost two centuries, Irish and American music

are inextricably intertwined. In fact, the boundary is not always discernible, and the

program includes “Boots of Spanish Leather,” a Bob Dylan song that is inherently in the

Irish tradition. Through song and commentary from musicians throughout the program,

the nature of Irish music is explored. “Irish music has always been there for Irish people

in very difficult times,” says Shane Mitchell, accordion player for Dervish. “It draws us

back to who we really are as people.” Actor, singer and director Adrian Dunbar adds

that Irish musicians “have held onto something that’s almost like DNA for the culture.”

Highlights of THE GREAT IRISH SONGBOOK include “Passage West,” featuring

Dervish with Indigo Girls, a song about emigration to America written by John Spillane,

who joins in on the performance; Imelda May’s moving rendition of “Molly Malone”; and

a bravura display of vocal artistry by five singers on “The Parting Glass.” The program

also features the world premiere of “Tabor an tSaoil (The Well of the World).” Written by

Clannad’s Moya Brennan and her daughter Aisling Jarvis, the song is performed for the

first time in public at the legendary music mecca Leo’s Tavern, owned by Moya’s father

and considered the launch pad for Clannad.

Below is a complete list of performances in THE GREAT IRISH SONGBOOK:

 “Red Haired Mary” – Dervish

Written by Sean McCarthy, Arranged by Dervish

 “The West Coast of Clare” – Dervish with David Gray

Written by Andy Irvine

 “Passage West” – Dervish with Indigo Girls

Written by John Spillane

 “The Bold Doherty” – Dervish

Traditional

 “Down the Broom” / “The Gatehouse Maid” – Dervish and Kevin Burke

Traditional instrumental

 “Molly Malone” – Dervish and Imelda May

Traditional

 “The Parting Glass” – Dervish with Cara Dillon, Kate Rusby, Imelda May and

Brian Kennedy

Traditional

 “The Rocky Road to Dublin” – Dervish

Traditional

 “John Blessings” – Dervish

Traditional instrumental

 “Boots of Spanish Leather” – Dervish

Written by Bob Dylan

 “Tobar an tSaoil (The Well of the World)” – Dervish and Moya Brennan

World Premiere Performance

Written By Moya Brennan and Aisling Jarvis

Dervish will be touring across the United States beginning March 7, 2026. A complete

list of tour dates can be found at https://www.dervish.ie/tour.

THE GREAT IRISH SONGBOOK, a Dundee Production LLC production, is directed by

David Heffernan, and produced by Ruth and Stephen Hendel. Doug Zwick and Shane

Mitchell executive produced.

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nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-

class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of

funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all

Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds

through television and online content.

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CONTACT: Cara White, CaraMar, Inc., cara.white@mac.com

For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit

PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.