I treasure memories of professional performances and recording sessions with The Bog Wanderers, Celtic Thunder, Borderland Reunion Band, The Irish Inn Mates, and Iona. For a dozen years I played every month in a ceili band for evenings of lively Irish country/social dancing, group dances called “ceilis” and “sets.” I was a frequent returning artist at the Washington Folk Festival, the CCE Irish Folk Festival, appeared for Aer Lingus, at The Irish Embassy, National Geographic, Catholic University, as well as other concert halls, festival stages, restaurant/pubs, special events, and private celebrations.
In 2014 I was invited to speak and perform in Ireland at the annual South Roscommon Singers Festival in Knockcroghery, County Roscommon.
I helped to found and ran for many years a unique traditional singers’ club in the DC area called the Frank Harte Memorial Singers Circle. That dedicated bunch continues on, full force, after my recent departure - to my delight.
For those looking for entertainment, I’m available as a soloist or with an excellent local small ensemble for your facility, brewery, party, wedding reception, festival - any occasion.
“Multi-instrumentalist and singer Betsy O’Malley is a real star of the East Coast Irish music scene. She’s known for her heartfelt renditions of traditional songs from Ireland and America – many of which she learned from the great Dublin singer, Frank Harte. Music, is for her, a path of service as well as a semi-professional pursuit.“ Jennifer Cutting
Folklife Specialist at the American Folklife Center, the Library of Congress. Composer/Arranger/Producer of the Ocean Orchestra