Step into a crowded Irish pub, the fiddle starts, the pints are flowing… and you're wondering if it's okay to clap, sing, or join in. In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, Benef, Paul, and Trecia sit down with Irish fiddle player, podcaster, author, educator, tour guide, and arts manager, Tara Connaghan, to unpack the unspoken etiquette of traditional Irish music sessions.
Tara shares stories from over 30 years of playing Irish music around the world, explains what really happens inside a "session," and breaks down the subtle social cues that can make visitors feel either deeply welcomed or unintentionally out of place. We explore the role of the listener (yes, even that curious tourist in the corner), why respect for what existed before you walked in matters, and how context can turn anxiety into confidence.
Using her Session Etiquette Explorer framework and her podcast "In Tune with Tradition – Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music," Tara shows how Irish sessions double as a real-world case study for any shared space. From music circles to workplace cultures, expat life, and new communities, she offers practical tools for reading the room, avoiding social missteps, and building a genuine sense of belonging.
If you've ever dreamed of traveling to Ireland, joining a session, or just walking into a new environment without second-guessing yourself, this conversation is your guide.
Tara's Session Etiquette Explorer: https://www.sessionetiquette.com/,
Tara's Award Winning Podcast: In Tune with Tradition – Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music – available via sessionetiquette.com, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The podcast was nominated in four categories and won five awards at the "2026 New York City Podcast Awards," including: Best Entertainment & Pop Culture, Best Interview, Best Society & Culture, Best Entertainment & Pop Culture, Special Recognition: Music Podcast
About Tara Connaghan:
Tara is a professional Irish fiddle player, podcaster, author, educator, tour guide, and arts manager in Ireland, specializing in the unspoken etiquette of Irish traditional music sessions. She helps newcomers, visitors, and adult learners understand subtle group dynamics so they can join in with confidence, respect, and musical sensitivity.
About Rhythm & Roam:
Rhythm & Roam with Benef, Paul, & Trecia explores cultural diversity through the lens of travel—no borders, no limits. We unpack identity, perception, and representation, and share unfiltered stories from around the globe.
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