Ward Irish Music Archives

Established in 1992, the Ward Irish Music Archives houses the largest public collection of Irish music in America. It is named after John J. Ward Jr., father of Irish Fest founder Ed Ward. The archive currently consists of more than 40,000 Irish recordings and pieces of music memorabilia ranging from rare 78 rpm's, LP's and sheet music to song books, instruments, and concert memorabilia. Many of the archives items are extremely difficult to find today.

News & Events

June 20 - 21, 2009: Fort Collins Irish Festival
WIMA presents the History of Irish Rock exhibit.

July 11, 2009: Tune Swap and Slow Session
WIMA hosts Milwaukee's tune swap and slow session 1 - 3pm. Note June's swap in on Sunday, not Saturday!

May 1, 2009: WIMA Collection Featured on Irish Television!
Archives director Barry Stapleton was recently featured on TG4's Na Bailitheoiri Ceoil program! The series examined famous Irish music collectors, and this episode specifically focuses on Chief Francis O'Neill of Chicago. WIMA holds 32 field recordings of Irish musicians made by O'Neill during the early 1900's in the Dunn Family Collection! Visit tg4.tv, click on "Faisneis - Cartlann" in the left hand navigation, and scroll down to Na Bailitheori Ceol - 18/3/09 to view the show!