Established in 1992, the Ward Irish Music Archives houses the largest public collection of Irish music in America. It is named after John J. Ward Jr., father of Irish Fest founder Ed Ward. The archive currently consists of more than 40,000 Irish recordings and pieces of music memorabilia ranging from rare 78 rpm's, LP's and sheet music to song books, instruments, and concert memorabilia. Many of the archives items are extremely difficult to find today.

08/25/08: WIMA now on social network sites.
The Ward Irish Music Archives are now a part of the Facebook and Myspace networks! Click on the images below to visit our profiles. Remember to add us as a friend to keep up with events here at the archives.

06/23/08: WIMA collection featured in Library of Congress Folklife Center News.

The Dunn Family Collection of Captain Francis O'Neill Cylinder Recordings is featured in the Fall 2007 issue of the Library of Congress' Folklife Center News. These wax cylinders, recorded by collector Francis O'Neill in the early 1900s, are a snapshot of the Chicago Irish musicians from the early twentieth century. You can read the entire article here.

August 29- 31, 2008: Kansas City Irish Fest
WIMA presents the History of Irish Traditional Music exhibit.

September 6, 2008: Tune Swap
Come learn a tune and play in a slow Irish traditional music session at the Archives!

September 12, 2008: Brock McGuire Band
Irish Fest is proud to announce a lecture & concert by the Brock McGuire band to be presented on Friday, September 12 at the Irish Fest Center.

October 4, 2008: Piperlink
A multi-media performance that tells you all you ever need to know about the Irish uilleann pipes.

Donate 10 Or More Irish Music Related Items To The Irish Fest Archives And Receive Two Free Tickets To Irish Fest 2007!

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