Joanna Sweeney is an Irish traditional musician, academic & farm-ess who hails from Co. Sligo, Ireland. She has been playing music since childhood, instruments; whistle, bodhrán, fiddle & voice. Throughout her 20’s she travelled and worked in Iberia, Italy, Spain & South America and began to explore, absorb, listen, and enjoy other genres of music such as Global traditional indigenous styles & this really informed her tastes.
A Lecturer of tourism, event management & marketing at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo and a Master of Arts in Irish traditional music performance awarded from the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland, she is deeply rooted in Irish traditional music in particular the North Connaught region on the West coast of Ireland and along the Wild Atlantic Way. The style of traditional music is constantly evolving due to many factors including technology, travel, and social movement and this is an integral aspect of intangible cultural heritage globally. Playing Irish traditional music, immersed within the living landscape and culture is her truest expression. Developing as a musician & opportunities that are arising through total immersion of practice, observation & research within the field are driving goals at present & manifesting throughout research and creative process.
Throughout the years she has played at many festivals and events all over including International and regional traditional festivals, showcases, conferences, multi-disciplinary theatrical shows and community music events. Performing, recording projects and opportunities which may arise through collaboration and networking with musicians from all genres are integral to achieving soundscape creation, progression of projects and musical outputs.
Academically she has presented at conferences and published many peer reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on but not exclusive to sociological impacts of tourism, marketing and Irish music.
Being an active researcher in the disciplines of tourism, marketing, event management & regenerative practices she is a keen writer who enjoys exploring contemporary topics, social impacts and anthropology. She has delivered a TEDx talk, presented at conferences, published peer reviewed conference papers and articles on many sub genres within her area of expertise.
Being a practitioner in her field, living off the land while implementing regenerative farming and lifestyle techniques have ensured a true and authentic link between theories and practice.
The intangible cultural heritage of Ireland is a passion which is close to her heart with links to nature, landscape, animals and wildlife. She is a keen horse rider, trainer, instructor and keeper of the rare Irish breed of horse known as the Connemara Pony.
A member of the Connemara breeders society, it is her aim to marinate within indigenous ancestral crafts, traditions, skills, archives, rituals and learning to foster connection between community, place and creative economies of practice embedding these in a modern World.
Her first book: Wildcrafting Pathways. Transformative wisdom for a regenerative lifestyle will be coming soon.
Click on LINK below and use the code: WP20 to receive 20% OFF the book when you PRE-ORDER.
Launch date: July2026.
