Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2026
Sráid na Cathrach, Co. an Chláir, 4ú Iúil - 12ú Iúil.
The 54th Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland.
Saturday 4th July to Sunday 12th July, 2026.
Welcome to the official website of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, The Willie Clancy Summer School, a major traditional Irish music, song and dance event held annually in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland with instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops, recitals and céilithe all through the week.
You can download a pdf of the 2026 programme here.
Organising Committee:
Harry Hughes (Administrator) tel. 086 877 3747
Éamon McGivney tel. 087 950 0006
Séamus Ó Rócháin tel. 087 926 4256
Deirdre Comber tel. 087-673 5172
and the coordinators of classes/workshops and venue managers.
Online registration is now open on our Online Registration page
Registration Administrator: David McDermott
email: register.scoilwc@gmail.com tel. 085 151 7086
Download the list of tutors here
Please note that uilleann piping students need to pre-register online with Na Píobairí Uilleann at www.pipers.ie or by contacting them at info@pipers.ie
Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01- 873 0093
Accommodation information
Maureen Kilduff 089 232 0498 email: kilduffmg@gmail.com
Download the accommodation list here
Please direct all other enquiries to: scoilwclancy73@gmail.com
Please do not send enquiries to the summer school's Facebook or Instagram accounts.
The Willie Clancy Summer School is an Irish registered charity.
To read or download the School's Child Welfare and Safeguarding Policy please click here.
For a list of the Summer School's sponsors, benefactors and partners please visit the About page.
Special dance workshops for 2026: traditional dances from Quebec
Three Workshops with À La Danse - Mélina Mauger-Lavigne, Sophie Lavoie, Louis-Philippe Pharand and Fiachra O’Regan. 6th, 8th & 10th July, 2.30pm-4.00pm, Mill Marquee, GAA Grounds. Full details on the Workshops page.
Charlie Harris 1953 - 2026
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is deeply saddened by the recent death of master accordionist Charlie Harris.
Charlie was born in Limerick and started playing tin whistle at an early age. He emigrated to London in the 1970s where he took up melodeon and accordion and excelled on both instruments, establishing a reputation as a master musician on the traditional music circuit in the city. On his return home he settled in Cregclare, Ardrahan, Co. Galway where he operated a successful accordion and melodeon repair and tuning business.
He played for many years with the Shaskeen Céilí Band, and more recently with the Tulla Ceili Band, and was a member of the Sliabh Aughty Trio with Mark Donnellan and Jim Corry. He toured extensively in the USA, UK and Europe and was much sought after as a performer and tutor at festivals and summer schools.
In 1987 Charlie was among the first group of tutors to deliver accordion and melodeon workshops at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. His influence on the development of the teaching of those instruments at the school has been a significant factor in the popularity of the instruments not just at the school but nationwide as well.
He received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Musician of the Year Award in 2009 for his outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music.
Our deepest condolences to Charlie’s family and many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy have had a long association with the Irish Traditional Music Archive whose ITMA Field Recording team are in attendance every year to record all official events for the archive.
The University of Limerick’s BLAS International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music has joined forces with Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy to promote deeper understanding and appreciation of Irish Traditional music. Click here for more information.