The workshops listed below refer to the 2024 Summer School. We will update this list for the 2025 Summer School in early 2025.

 

Traditional Singing

This workshop will take the form of lectures, group discussions, class participation and demonstrations by traditional singers in Irish and English; please note that these are not singing classes. The workshops will be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point and will be conducted by Brian Mullen and Ciarán Ó Gealbháin. In addition there will be four afternoon workshops on 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th July with Máire Ní Chéileachair and Jerry O'Reilly, from 4 to 6pm, National School, Mullagh Rd. These are confined to students attending the Singing and Dúchas an Cheoil morning courses.

 

Dúchas an Cheoil (The Heritage of Irish Music)

Dúchas an Cheoil is an ideal forum in which to learn about the history and evolution of Irish traditional music, song and dance, and the personalities, organisations and events that have shaped that history and narrative. The primary focus is on the listening experience and on creating an awareness of the social and historical context in which the larger part of this musical tradition was created. Emphasis is placed on a relaxed and informal interaction between student, tutors and players and singers. The musicians and singers who visit the class are among the most acclaimed practitioners of Irish music and students are encouraged at all times to ask questions. They are not required to have any previous experience or expertise in Irish music. Curiosity and an open mind and ear are all they need to bring to the workshop. The tutors are Paddy Glackin and Cathal Goan.

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Paddy Glackin is a leading fiddle player of his generation.  He has been to the fore in promoting the fiddle music of Donegal and has played a seminal role in a number of enormously influential music groupings such as Ceoltóirí Laighean, The Bothy Band and composer John Cage’s Roaratorio. He has recorded widely as a solo and ensemble player and he was for many years a producer in RTÉ.

Cathal Goan has a life-long interest in Irish music and song and started his professional career in RTÉ as an archivist  with special responsibility for Irish music and song.  He has written on a number of aspects of the Donegal song tradition and served for many years as chairman of the Irish Traditional Music Archive.  He was founding director of TG4 and also Director General of RTÉ.

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This course is accredited by the University of Limerick through the Blas Summer School. Full details at www.blas.ie

 

Language Classes:

Conversational Irish (beginners, intermediate, advanced)

2pm to 3pm daily from Monday 8th July at the National School, Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay.

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