Cherish the Ladies - Celebrating 40 Years

For four decades, Cherish the Ladies has captivated audiences worldwide as one of the most celebrated Irish music ensembles. Known for their exhilarating fusion of traditional Irish music, enchanting vocals, and energetic step dancing, they have won hearts across the globe. As the Boston Globe aptly puts it: "It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do!"

This Grammy-nominated group blazed a trail for women in the male-dominated Irish music scene, leaving a lasting legacy with 18 critically acclaimed albums, four thousand performances worldwide, including appearances at prestigious concert halls, the Olympics and even the White House. Led by the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award recipient, the dynamic flute and whistle virtuoso Joanie Madden, Cherish the Ladies creates an unforgettable experience of music, song, and dance, delivering a masterclass in entertainment. Alongside Madden are stellar musicians; Mary Coogan on guitar, Mirella Murray on accordion, Kathleen Boyle on piano, Nollaig Casey on fiddle, vocalist Kate Purcell, and a team of world-class dancers.

The New York Times praises their sound as "passionate, tender, and rambunctious," while the Washington Post marvels at their "astonishing array of virtuosity." The group has been honored as the BBC’s Best Musical Group of the Year and crowned Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards. Their impressive list of collaborations includes the Boston Pops Symphony, Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith, The Chieftains, Pete Seeger, Don Henley, Arlo Guthrie, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. As the most renowned Celtic Pops act in history, they’ve performed with over 300 symphony orchestras.

Among their many accolades, they were also immortalized with a street named in their honor on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, New York; “Joanie Madden and Cherish the Ladies”.

Cherish the Ladies’ enduring success lies in their blend of masterful instrumentals, beautiful vocals, and breathtaking step dancing—all delivered with unmatched talent, creativity, and charm.

What the critics are saying about Cherish The Ladies

"Cherish the Ladies has been a leading group in the Irish traditional world...it is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn't enjoy what they do."
Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe

"Expands the annals of Irish music in America...the music is passionate, tender and rambunctious."
Jon Pareles, The New York Times

"The Ladies are first generation Irish-American with pride in their roots, a terrific sense of fun and heaps of music in their fingers and toes. Cherish the Ladies is their name and cherish them this enthusiastic Glasgow audience did."
Rob Adams, The Glasgow Herald (Scotland)

"Madden's tenacious but tactful helming of the ensemble should be studied in business schools. It should also be scrutinized in music schools. Cherish the Ladies have shown that Irish traditional music from America remains a vibrant, diasporic marvel. For Cherish the Ladies, named after a popular Irish traditional jig, the jig is not up."
Earle Hitchner, The Irish Echo

"This collection of women offers an astonishing array of virtuosity....."
J.D. Considine, Washington Post

"They are now among the busiest, best, and most popular Irish music groups in the world."
Scott Alarik, Boston Globe

"Cherish the Ladies from the USA, made their connection from the first note, skillfully managing the cheers and tears for every second of a torrential two-hour set. The band brilliantly strutted that very Irish-American sound which simultaneously exudes a tremendous joie de vivre and deep nostalgia."
Fintan Vallely, The Irish Times

"Superbly led by the larger than life Joanie Madden on whistles, flute, harmony vocals and introductions, these ladies dusted the perceived cobwebs off traditional music by presenting it in a new light, with a mixture of first class 'kick-ass' playing, sensational singing, dynamic dancing and infectious humour, that packaged it and sent it into the modern world - without ever losing respect for the musical roots." This homely approach, with great stage banter, ensured not only an entertaining night but also that never before has 'trad' been so enjoyable.

The Belfast Telegraph

"They have converged and risen like a great wave to engulf the hearts of audiences from Brooklyn to Belfast and from Boston to Brittany. They are currently in top form, touring the world as a mighty example of the richness of America's Irish music traditions."
Steve Winick, Dirty Linen Magazine

"The six women who form the Celtic band delivered a thoroughly engaging performance brimming with spirit, precision, wit and soul."
Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

"While the standard has been remarkably high throughout the festival, few concerts could hope to provide as much satisfaction as this one. Cherish the Ladies received a standing ovation, both for their music and ebullient good humor, and were a hard act to follow."
Kenny Mathieson, The Scotsman (Scotland)

"One of the best nights of music I've ever heard...I can't rave enough about Cherish the Ladies!"
Oliver Sweeney, Hot Press Magazine (Dublin)

"...the group that closed the festival was also the group that stood out instrumentally above all others... Cherish the Ladies proved once again why they are among the best traditional performers we have. Brava! Long may this ensemble continue."
Earl Hitchner, The Irish Voice
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR $35

Host or Publisher The Irish Cultural Centre of New England