Joe DerraneA special tribute to the legendary Joe Derrane – and a performance by the Boston-born Irish accordionist and composer himself – will highlight this fall’s Gaelic Roots Music, Dance, and Lecture series. The series, under the direction of Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Séamus Connolly, also will feature “The Musical Priest,” Monsignor Charlie Coen, fiddle-piano duo Gráinne Murphy and Kathleen Boyle, and a program of holiday music by harpist Aine Minogue.

This fall also will introduce a new venue for Gaelic Roots, which is sponsored by the Boston College Center for Irish Programs and features music from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, Appalachia as well as other Gaelic-related traditions. Unless otherwise noted, Gaelic Roots events — previously held in Connolly House on BC’s Chestnut Hill Campus — will now take place at 2101 Commonwealth Avenue on the BC Brighton Campus.

A special tribute to the legendary Joe Derrane – and a performance by the Boston-born Irish accordionist and composer himself – will highlight this fall’s Gaelic Roots Music, Dance, and Lecture series. The series, under the direction of Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Séamus Connolly, also will feature “The Musical Priest,” Monsignor Charlie Coen, fiddle-piano duo Gráinne Murphy and Kathleen Boyle, and a program of holiday music by harpist Aine Minogue.

This fall also will introduce a new venue for Gaelic Roots, which is sponsored by the Boston College Center for Irish Programs and features music from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, Appalachia as well as other Gaelic-related traditions. Unless otherwise noted, Gaelic Roots events — previously held in Connolly House on BC’s Chestnut Hill Campus — will now take place at 2101 Commonwealth Avenue on the BC Brighton Campus.

A look at this fall’s Gaelic Roots schedule:

•“The Genius and Growing Impact of Joe Derrane”
Thurs., Sept. 22, Gasson Hall Irish Room, 7-9 p.m.
Since his historic comeback in 1994, Derrane has released seven celebrated albums, received a National Heritage Fellowship (2004), and was the subject of “A Concert for the Ages” all-star tribute last November. This living legend of Irish music will be the special guest of distinguished Wall Street Journal and Irish Echo music writer Earle Hitchner and Berklee College of Music Professor of Strings John McGann, an award-winning guitarist and mandolinist and a frequent Derrane collaborator. This combined lecture/concert will feature presentations by Hitchner and McGann about Derrane’s recent music and expanding influence, commentary from Derrane himself, a live performance of some Derrane tunes and others by McGann with Connolly, and never-before-seen film footage of “A Concert for the Ages.”

•Monsignor Charlie Coen
Thurs., Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The southeast Galway native — whose nickname derives, appropriately enough, from a classic Irish traditional reel — is an accomplished singer and performer on concertina, flute and whistle, as well as one of the most revered Irish music teachers and mentors. Monsignor Coen also has drawn acclaim as an organizer and leader of Irish music concerts, sessions and other events, whether in his former parish in Dutchess Country, NY, or elsewhere. His honors include being selected as Traditional Musician of the Year for 2005 by the Irish Echo and as a member of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame.

•Gráinne Murphy and Kathleen Boyle
Tuesday, November 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
A native of Boston and a former student of Seamus Connolly, Murphy is known to many Irish music fans as the fiddler for the long-popular Irish-American band Cherish the Ladies. Her first solo album, “Short Stories,” was released last year and garnered positive reviews. Born in Scotland, Boyle comes from a family steeped in the traditional music of Donegal — her grandmother, fiddler Néillidh Boyle, composed the “Moving Cloud” reel. A talented pianist and accordion player who has won All-Scotland and All-Britain titles on both instruments, she released her well-received first solo album, “An Cailin Rua,” during the past year.

•Aine Minogue
Thursday, December 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
A native of Tipperary, Minogue is widely recognized as a premier Irish harpist and singer who conveys the lyricism and richness of Irish music, mythology, and poetry. Minogue also is attuned to the traditions, rituals, and celebrations associated with the ancient Celtic world, and often presents special concerts that evoke a particular season or major theme. For her Gaelic Roots show, she will offer music of the winter solstice and Christmas, with tunes and carols that have roots in ancient traditions of the British Isles such as "The Horn Dance" and "Hunting the Wren,” and a performance in Gaelic of "Óiche Chuain," the Irish version of "Silent Night."

All concerts are free and open to the public. There is free parking available adjacent to 2101 Commonwealth Avenue, which is handicapped accessible. For more on the Gaelic Roots series, see bc.edu/gaelicroots.

—BC’s Office of News & Public Affairs