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Summer Schools in Ireland for Traditional Irish Music

March 30, 2023

Summer Schools in Ireland for Traditional Irish Music

As anyone who’s visited Ireland can attest, Summer isn’t so much a season here as it is the timeframe from June to August. In the traditional Irish music scene, Summer Schools are a fully immersive experience offering amazing opportunities to improve one’s musicianship all the while having the mightiest craic with round-the-clock trad sessions. Many families organise their summers around the various schools, with a visit to the Fleadh—whatever town it’s held in—being the highlight. Below, we’ve drawn up a list of the most popular Summer Schools in Ireland. If we’ve missed one, or you know of Irish Summer Schools in other countries, be sure to add them in the comments for others to see. Enjoy!

Could you tell us a bit about your background, where you are from on how you started your music journey?

25th-30th June 2023

Cairde na Cruite, since its establishment in 1960, has played a central role in the revival and development of interest in the Irish harp. While its original objectives espoused the provision of expert tuition and the publication of music for the Irish harp, its mission has evolved considerably over the last 50+ years and the society has made a significant contribution to the development of a vibrant dynamic role for the Irish harp, and its positioning within Irish traditional music. The festival promises quality workshops, sessions and concerts and an opportunity to engage with other harpers, gain a better understanding of Irish music, song and dance as well as learning more about the harp and its music. If you’re a harpist, this one’s not to be missed!

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Blas International Summer School of Irish Music and Dance

19th June – 30th June 2023

Blas has a well developed ethos where access to the best of tuition from some of the most famous musicians, singers and dancers is combined with classes and lectures given by experts in the academic study of our traditions. Held in the University of Limerick, home to the famous Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and usually features many of OAIM’s tutors.

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The Willie Clancy Summer School (Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy)

1st-9th July 2023

This is a major, if not the major, traditional Irish music event held annually in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, named after the famous piper Willie Clancy. With instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops, recitals and céilithe all through the week, it really has to be experienced to be believed!
National radio stations host programmes from the town during the festival, it’s that important! Known locally as “Willie Week” it even has it’s own wikipedia page. People come from far and wide, literally from all over the world, to experience the magic that is Willie Week and the beauty that is rural Clare. It’s like a pilgrimage for traditional music fans and musicians. Put it on your bucket list!

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Earagail Arts Festival

8th-23rd July 2023

Immersive and participatory experiences in circus, music, spoken word, theatre, from the western islands of the Gaeltacht to the lowlands of east Donegal, celebrating people, language and landscape. Including Home with The Henry Girls, five days of songwriting, pub sessions and concerts.

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South Sligo Summer School

9th-15th July 2023

The South Sligo Summer School was founded in 1987 in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo to conserve and promote the rich tradition of music, song and dance of the area. With a full programme of classes, workshops, céilithe, concerts, recitals and talks, there is special emphasis on the old Sligo traditional style of playing. The rugged beauty of Sligo as the backdrop to the pure drop, makes this an even more alluring festival to work your holidays around.

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Joe Mooney Summer School

15th-22nd July 2023

Every July Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, plays host to the award winning Joe Mooney Summer School, a week long festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance named after the man who did so much to promote the cause of Leitrim and his beloved town.

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Belfast Trad Fest

23rd-29th July 2023

Belfast TradFest is a jam-packed week of traditional music, song and dance, featuring some of the best traditional musicians, singers & dancers from across these islands. Featuring a summer school and a full programme of concerts, workshops, talks, lectures, sessions, céilís & festival club, this week is the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland and brings together both the Irish and the Ulster-Scots musical traditions, in a shared celebration of culture & heritage.

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O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival:

31st July – 7th August 2023

The O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival is held in Keadue, County Roscommon every August Bank Holiday.
The Festival was started in Keadue in 1978, to commemorate the famous Harper Turlough O’Carolan who lived in the area and is buried beside Keadue. Keadue is a small village of 200 people located on the shores of Lough Meelagh at the foot of the Arigna Mountains. The Festival includes Concerts, Ceili, Tuition on the Harp, Set Dancing and Harp Recitals.

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The Fleadh

6th – 14th August 2023

This event is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. It attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors to the host town every year. If you love Irish music, then set yourself the goal to attend a Fleadh at least once in your life! Mullingar welcomed the Fleadh last year with open arms, newly painted buildings, flower baskets and great anticipation and excitement of the locals. The town was looking her best. She’ll be sad to pass the baton on to Wexford for the 2024 Fleadh, but sure that’s how it goes!

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Feakle Trad Festival

9th-14th August 2023

Nestled alongside the Sliabh Aughty mountains, the village of Feakle in County Clare consists of a community of just around 800 people. With local school, church, post office and a few shops plus pubs and restaurants, it has all the character of a small and charming Irish village. The Feakle Trad Festival is full of music, song and dance – which also includes workshops.

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Masters of Tradition

23rd-27th August 2023

Musicians across the spectrum of Irish traditional music performing in Bantry, west Cork, curated by fiddle player Martin Hayes.

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Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend

24th-26th August 2023

Celebrating the Inishbofin maestro with concerts, workshops, arts events and free traditional and folk music trails across island venues and landscapes. Promising an unmissable late summer reverie on the beguiling Connemara island, with contemporary music legends, Galway favourites and exciting new stars.

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