Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan @ The Island Sessions

Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan will present an intimate evening of music and stories drawing from their extensive musical careers. Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan - THE GHOST OF YOU 4 Track EP from Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan Produced by Bill Shanley Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan announce the release of The Ghost of you, a four track EP to coincide with their Irish tour dates 2026. Eleanor and Mike have long been central figures in Irish Folk Music. Drawing on years of shared experience, Eleanor and Mike deliver an engaging evening of songs and storytelling, shaped by the tradition they’ve helped define. Eleanor first came to prominence with De Dannan before establishing a highly successful solo career, releasing seven studio albums to date. Her collaborations span an impressive range of artists including Sharon Shannon, Charlie McGettigan, Patrick Bergin, Eddi Reader, classical guitarist John Feely, Ultan Conlon, Garadice and American gospel singer Ivan LeParr. Eleanor has received numerous awards for her contribution to folk music, mostrecently being inducted into The Tondør Festival Hall of Fame in Denmark. In August Eleanor presents her first art exhibition at The Pembroke in Kilkenny. One of her most treasured partnerships was with the legendary Ronnie Drew, resulting in two acclaimed albums and the much-loved hit A Couple more Years. Both albums were produced by singer songwriter Mike Hanrahan. Mike’s career began with Maura O Connell in the duo Tumbleweed before he joined the internationally celebrated Stocktons Wing as guitarist and songwriter. Over the years he has written for theatre and film, produced numerous recordings including three solo albums, and performed extensively with Ronnie Drew. He has worked with Finbar Furey, Leslie Dowdall, Gavin Glass and The Forgetmenots choir. His memoir Beautiful Affair - A Journey in Music Friendship and Food was shortlisted for 2019 National book awards. In 2024 he co-presented the hit RTE television series Songs of Ireland alongside Pat Shortt. Mike is a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, Trinity College Dublin, exploring creative arts in brain health care. The songs: These four songs take us on a journey across the shifting sands of the memories and emotions that shape our lives. Craggy Hill written by Mike, inspired by the unsung women of the Irish revolution. Gulf Coast highway written by Nancy Griffith, James Hooker and Danny Flowers is a songof reminiscence and enduring love. A Couple more years, by Shel Silverstein and Denis Locorriere, reflects on experience and the perspective that comes with age. Four Green fields. The final piece is a haunting rendition of a song written by Irish folk legend Tommy Makem. ​Eleanor says, “These songs carry so many memories for us. Recording A Couple More Years again felt like stepping back into the room with Ronnie — the laughter, the stories, the gentleness of him. The Ghost of You is our way of honouring those moments while sharing new ones with audiences who come to our shows.” Mike says, “This project is rooted in friendship — with each other, and with Ronnie. A Couple More Years has always held a special place in our hearts, and revisiting it for The Ghost of You brought a real sense of pride. Eleanor and I have spent decades in the music, and this EP feels like a celebration of the journey, the people, and the stories that shaped us.”