Ian Bascombe

Ian Bascombe is a tin whistle and bouzouki player, teacher and writer based in County Clare. His recently completed PhD, funded by the Irish Research Council, investigated the nineteenth-century origins of the mass-produced tin whistle, and he is the author of ‘The Official Handbook for the Clarke Tin Whistle’.

Life on a Wing
Singer-songwriter Mike Hanrahan's book, 'Beautiful Affair: A Journey in Music, Food and Friendship', mixes anecdotes from his musical career, including his time with Stockton's Wing and Ronnie Drew, with his life in cookery. Ian Bascombe reviews.
Planxties for a New Quartet
The traditional music quartet of Laoise Kelly, Tara Breen, Josephine Marsh and Nell Ní Chróinín is currently on tour in the autumn series from Music Network. Ian Bascombe reviews in Ennis.
The End and the Beginning
Cormac Breatnach's 'The Whistle Blower' tour and album, featuring Daire Bracken and Martin Tourish, is both an act of healing as well as a challenging musical offering. Ian Bascombe reviews the performance at Glór.
Memory Flow
Founded in 2012, composer Dave Flynn's Irish Memory Orchestra features classical and traditional musicians who play completely by memory. In their latest tour, performing in Ennis, Cork and Kilkenny, they were joined by soloist Máirtín O'Connor. Ian Bascombe reviews.
Under an Irish Sky
In the latest piece from our County Clare Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Ian Bascombe reviews the new recording from harper Floriane Blancke.
Riches of Clare: Sheila Garry, Elaine Hogan, Conor McCarthy and James Duddy
In the first music review from our new Journal of Music/Clare County Council Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Ian Bascombe reviews a recent Riches of Clare concert featuring an ensemble led by fiddle-player Sheila Garry.