Iconic Irish Traditional Band Dervish Land Major TV Deal with American Broadcaster PBS
By THE GREAT IRISH SONG BOOK
Premieres on PBS stations beginning 27th February 2026
Celebrate the powerful Irish tradition of song with Dervish,
featuring David Gray, Imelda May, Moya Brennan, Indigo Girls, Kate Rusby Brian Kennedy and more
It was a milestone moment last December in the storied career of the legendary Sligo-based traditional music band Dervish when they got word that America’s public service broadcaster PBS will be airing their hour-long TV special, The Great Irish Song Book, across the States, beginning on 27th February 2026.
The broadcasts will take place over the next two years on nearly 350 PBS member TV stations. Over 100 million Americans watch PBS content via various platforms monthly including online and apps.
The show features songs from the band’s 2019 album The Great Irish Song Book, and new material from the forthcoming companion album, The Great Irish Song Book Vol. 2: Poets and Storytellers, which will be released later this year.
Join internationally acclaimed Sligo-based band Dervish and special guests David Gray, Imelda May, Moya Brennan (Clannad), Indigo Girls, Brian Kennedy, Kate Rusby, Kevin Burke, Cara Dillon and more to celebrate the uniquely powerful Irish tradition of song.
One of the world’s most renowned and imaginative interpreters of Irish folk music, Dervish has devoted the last three decades to gently reinventing the traditional songs of their homeland. Featuring stunning footage of Sligo and Donegal, and filmed at the London Palladium, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, and more intimate venues like Leo’s Tavern in Donegal, The Great Irish Song Book was chosen as part of special programming premiering on PBS, beginning Friday, 27th February 2026 and will be available for streaming within the United States on PBS online platforms.
“When people think of Irish music, especially in a great many countries around the world, they think of Dervish. So the release of The Great Irish Songbook television special on the giant PBS network in America should come as no surprise. And, from my own perspective, it’s been a great pleasure working with them on the project and I look forward to completing a documentary on Irish music, and song, which also features the band, and is presently in production,” says director David Heffernan.
Actor, singer and director Adrian Dunbar – who features in the programme – comments that Irish musicians “have held onto something that’s almost like DNA for the culture.”
“Reflecting a shared experience for almost two centuries, Irish and American music are inextricably intertwined, so I wasn’t surprised to find PBS very interested,” says executive producer Doug Zwick, who helped develop the show.
In fact, the boundary is not always discernible, and the program includes ‘Boots of Spanish Leather’, a Bob Dylan song that is inherently in the Irish tradition. Through song and commentary from musicians throughout the program, the nature of Irish music is explored.
Programme highlights in this one-hour special includes songs from Dervish’s forthcoming album The Great Irish Song Book Vol. 2: Poets and Storytellers, such as ‘Passage West’, featuring Dervish withIndigo Girls, a song about emigration to America written byJohn Spillane, who joins in on the performance.
Other standout performances include Imelda May’s moving rendition of ‘Molly Malone’ and ‘The West Coast of Clare’ sung by David Gray.
Below is a complete list of performances in the programme:
1. ‘Red Haired Mary’ – Dervish
Written by Sean McCarthy, Arranged by Dervish
2.‘The West Coast of Clare’ – Dervish with David Gray
Written by Andy Irvine
3.‘Passage West’ – Dervish with Indigo Girls
Written by John Spillane
4.‘The Bold Doherty’ – Dervish
Traditional
5.‘Down the Broom’ / ‘The Gatehouse Maid’ – Dervish and Kevin Burke
Traditional instrumental
6.‘Molly Malone’ – Dervish and Imelda May
Traditional
7.‘The Parting Glass’ – Dervish with Cara Dillon, Kate Rusby, Imelda May and Brian Kennedy
Traditional
8.‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’ – Dervish
Traditional
9.‘John Blessings’ – Dervish
Traditional instrumental
10. ‘Boots of Spanish Leather’ – Dervish
Written by Bob Dylan
11. ‘Tobar an tSaoil (The Well of the World)’ – Dervish and Moya Brennan
World Premiere Performance
Written By Moya Brennan and Aisling Jarvis
The Great Irish Song Book, a Dundee Production LLC production, is directed by David Heffernan, and produced by Ruth and Stephen Hendel. Doug Zwick executive produced. The show is presented by Pop Twist Entertainment who distribute it worldwide.