The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
This project is co-funded by Ireland’s Department of Culture, Communications & Sport and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as part of America 250.
Billy McComiskey is a world-renowned accordionist and composer, born in 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, into a family deeply rooted in Irish music and dance. He was mentored by Seán McGlynn, a master of the East Galway (Slieve Aughty) style, known for its steady tempos, stately phrasing, and finely ornamented melodies. Hearing McGlynn at age 14 proved transformative, and McComiskey soon became his apprentice, developing a nuanced approach to fingering and expression. Immersed in a rich musical environment, McComiskey spent summers in the Catskills, where his godfather’s pub hosted leading Irish musicians. He went on to win multiple honours at the All-Ireland competitions, including gold and silver medals, and captured the Senior All-Ireland Championship on button accordion in 1986. After relocating to the Baltimore/D.C. area in the mid-1970s, McComiskey became a central figure in building a vibrant Irish traditional music community. A dedicated teacher, he mentors musicians worldwide and participates in Maryland’s Traditions Apprenticeship Program. His honours include the Irish Echo’s 2008 Album of the Year for Outside the Box, the 2011 Traditional Artist of the Year award, and the NEA National Heritage Fellowship (2016). He has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center, and internationally.
