Winch was born inNew York City on November 1, 1945. He grew up in an Irish neighborhood in theBronx, the child of Irish immigrants. In 1971, he moved toWashington, D.C., where he became involved with theMass Transit readings inDupont Circle. He published the first issue of Mass Transit magazine and co-founded Some of Us Press withMichael Lally and others. His writing, which shows New York School and other influences, has been widely published and anthologized. Primarily a poet, he has published fiction and non-fiction as well. He was the subject of a profile onNational Public Radio'sAll Things Considered in 1986, and has been featured a number of times onThe Writer's Almanac radio program. From 1975 to 1981, he was a regular book reviewer for The Washington Post and has also been a contributor to The Village Voice, The Washingtonian, The Dictionary of Irish Literature, The Oxford Companion to American Poetry, and other publications. Winch worked for the Smithsonian Institution for 24 years, for most of that time as Head of Publications at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Terence Winch has also played Irish traditional music from childhood, and co-founded the bandCeltic Thunder in 1977, writing much of the band's material for its four albums. His best-known composition is "When New York Was Irish," which has been covered by many other artists.[1]
Celtic Thunder Live in Concert (Celtic Thunder Music/Free Dirt Records, 2023).
The Irish Riviera: The Winch Family Band (Cúil Mór Music, 2024).
This Day Too: Music from Irish America with Terence Winch, Michael Winch, and Jesse Winch (Celtic Thunder Music/Free Dirt Records, 2017), a CD of original and traditional compositions.
When New York Was Irish: Songs & Tunes by Terence Winch (Celtic Thunder Music, 2007), a CD anthology of compositions by Winch
Four albums with Celtic Thunder, a traditional Irish group, featuring original music by Winch:
Celtic Thunder (Green Linnet, 1981)
The Light of Other Days (Green Linnet, 1989)
Hard New York Days (Kells, 1995).
Celtic Thunder Live in Concert (Celtic Thunder Music/Free Dirt Records, 2023)
As producer:
Creation's Journey: Native American Music (Smithsonian/Folkways 1994)
Wood That Sings: Indian Fiddle Music of the Americas (Smithsonian/Folkways, 1998)
Beautiful Beyond: Christian Songs in Native Languages (Smithsonian/Folkways, 2004)
Pulling Down the Clouds: Contemporary Native Writers Read Their Work (Smithsonian/NMAI, 2007)
Sounds of Indian Summer: Contemporary Native Music (Smithsonian/NMAI, 2008)
