Release Date: 7 December 2018

The Secret Sessions is a traditional music collaboration between Ireland and Leinster's rugby star Robbie Henshaw and his family with world renowned traditional musician Sharon Shannon. The concept began at The Three Jolly Pigeons in Athlone in a conversation with Teddy Quinn, a longtime friend to the Henshaws and also to Sharon Shannon as a way of trying to raise much needed funds for the South Westmeath Hospice.

Sharon was contacted and was invited to a session at the Pigeons and this CD project began. After the session, rehearsals took place in the Spring and Summer, when Sharon’s music schedule and Robbie’s sporting engagements allowed, and finally the album got recorded in one day at Camden Recording Studios, Dublin in September 2018.
The Henshaw family have a long musical tradition in the Athlone area and Robbie’s grandfather Billy had his own band for many years. This recording showcases the immense musical talent and passion for traditional Irish Music within the Henshaw family and features Robbie’s sisters Alison, Katie and Emily, mother Audrey, father Tony and uncles Davie and Jim.

1. The Manila Reel/Monty's Reel/The Grian Gra Reel
2. McGuire and Patterson (Overson)/Farrell O'Gara's
3. The Bachelor
4. Inion Ni Scanlain
5. The Frost Is All Over/Queen of the Rushes
6. The Isle of Innesfree
7. The Silver Spear/The Morning Nightcap/The Ravelled Hank of Yarn
8. The Trip to Athlone/The Lilting Banshee/Jimmy Ward's Jig
9. Across the Ocean