LEGENDARY singer-songwriter Ralph McTell is on his most extensive tour of Ireland to date. Spanning 20 shows over four weeks, the tour includes a night at the University Concert Hall on Friday May 9.
As a stalwart of the folk scene for over five decades, McTell’s music continues to resonate with fans of all generations.
With 2025 marking Ralph’s 80th year, this tour represents a milestone not just in his life, but in his extraordinary career. Still passionate about performing, McTell views this tour as a celebration of longevity, artistry, and the continued love for live music.
His connection with Irish audiences has been built over the years, beginning with his first show in Belfast in 1969. On his birthday last December, McTell received a letter from one of his biggest fans, President Michael D. Higgins, a reflection of the love the Irish have for McTell’s music.
McTell made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter. With a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant.
While working on a building site in the early sixties, Ralph was inspired by an Irish gang on the site to write Clare to Here.
“I was only about 17 or 18. The craic relieved the stress of the hard work. I was working with an Irishman called Michael, as so many of them are. And I said to him, ‘It must be very strange to be here in London after the place you come from.’ And he responded by saying, ‘Yes, it’s a long way from Clare to here.'”
Over the years, McTell has performed in iconic venues across the island, but this national tour will be his most comprehensive yet.
Reflecting on his upcoming dates, Ralph told Limerick Post:
“I have been doing shows in Ireland for many years. Firstly in Belfast in 1969 and later in Dublin, eventually getting around the whole country, but it has taken a while to do a national tour.
“In 2025, I shall be undertaking my biggest and most comprehensive set of dates around Ireland ever. My 2023 tour was hugely enjoyable, and this one is going to be a real celebration. I’m looking forward to it already.”
Ralph McTell has always been open with his audience, and in recent years, he has faced the biggest challenges of his life. His beloved wife Nanna passed away last October after an illness. The couple had been married for 57 years.Ralph has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he continues to tour and create music.
By sharing this part of his journey, Ralph hopes to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment, a message that resonates with so many of his fans.
Ralph’s resilience, combined with his undying love for music, shines through as he prepares for this monumental tour, reminding us all that age and illness don’t have to slow us down. “Time Drift of the Road” promises to be a moving celebration of both life and song.
Ralph McTell plays University Concert Hall on Friday May 9. Tickets at www.uch.ie
