Irish Millie Pays Tribute to Her First Teacher With Emotional New Single “Allison”

By Scott Arnold

A deeply personal fiddle tribute is introducing a new chapter for one of Canada’s fastest-rising folk artists.

Irish Millie Pays Tribute to Her First Teacher With Emotional New Single “Allison (photo via facebook @millie.shadgett

Peterborough’s Irish Millie has released “Allison,” the opening track from her EP Between Then and Now, offering a heartfelt tribute to the fiddle teacher who first set her musical journey in motion.

The 19-year-old singer, songwriter and fiddler wrote the track in honour of Sally Pirie, the teacher who first placed a fiddle in her hands at age six and helped shape the foundation of her career. Irish Millie studied with Pirie until age 12 and later joined her community band, The Fyd-l-Styx, a group dedicated to traditional Canadian fiddle music.

Following Pirie’s passing in December 2024, Irish Millie turned her gratitude into music, building a jig in her honour that eventually became the foundation of “Allison.” The song reflects on mentorship, legacy and the early guidance that helped shape her path as an artist.

The recording was produced by Tyler Martin at Electric Alchemy in Peterborough and mastered by Gregory Pastic, with a stripped-back arrangement that allows fiddle and guitar to carry the emotional weight of the track. Irish Millie’s father, Murray Shadgett, also appears on the recording, playing guitar after years of driving her to early lessons.

Irish millie’s new single “Allison” is available on her website

The single arrives as Irish Millie continues to build an international profile. In 2026 she was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year through North2North, earning an opportunity to represent Canada at Sweden’s Lilla By Festivalen in Rinkaby. She also performed at Peterborough Musicfest and continues to tour and record while studying at the University of Toronto.

Her growing list of accolades includes seven Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, including two in 2026 for Between Then and Now, as well as Emerging Artist of the Year at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival.

Despite increasing international attention, Irish Millie remains closely tied to her Peterborough roots, including community initiatives such as Fiddling for Fox, which previously earned her a Peterborough Civic Award for Community Betterment.

Irish Millie will also perform at Del Crary Park on Saturday, June 27 at 6:30 pm as part of the Future Sound Series presented by Cogeco, opening the 2026 season of Peterborough Musicfest before Gowan takes the main stage.

With “Allison,” she offers a personal reflection on the people who shape an artist long before the spotlight arrives, turning gratitude into melody.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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