Festivals in Ireland

The list below is provided for those who wish to see the singing tradition at its best, as well as for those that wish to learn the art of traditional singing. Americans calling Ireland should note: the phone numbers below should be preceded by the international access code (011) and the country code for Ireland (353).

This listing makes no pretensions to completeness. If you know of other important workshops or festivals left off this list, feel free to contact me. Although this information is as accurate as I could make it, it is always advisable to confirm with the contact listed before making unalterable plans.

Frankie Kennedy Winter School (December 27, 2008-January 2, 2009)
Dunlewey, Gweedore, Co. Donegal
Contact: Anna Ni Mhaonaigh
Phone: 087 930 9656
E-mail beanana@eircom.net
Established to honor a founder of renowned Irish group Altan, the School
does include a workshop in traditional singing. The 2009/2010 schedule is not established as of this writing. The 2008/2009 workshop was led by Dominic MacGiolla Bhríde. Program also includes performances by Mary McPartland and an afternoon performance of locally celebrated songs.

Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival (January 28-February 1, 2009)
Temple Bar Cultural Quarter
Dublin , Ireland
Contact: Brian Doyle
Phone: 1 6772397
Email: info@tascq.ie
Website: http://www.templebartrad.com/
Sponsored by local organization TASCQ (Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter)
as a not-for-profit venture, this year's featured performers include Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill , Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh and Moya Brennan.

Rosslare Traditional Singers Weekend (February 6-8, 2009)
Rosslare Harbour and environs
Rosslare, Co Wexford
Contact: Phil Berry
Phone: 53 9142909
Email: pberry46@gmail.com
The festival, presented by the Wexford Traditional Singers Club, focuses on a gathering of like minded singers and listeners who sing songs for the weekend. Seminars, workshops, teachers, and coach trips to historical and interesting areas also will be available.

Inishowen Singers' Circle Weekend (March 20-23, 2009)
The Ballyliffin Hotel
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact: Kevin McGonigle
Phone: 74 937896
Email: inishowenseminar@eircom.net
Website: http://tradsongs.com/inishowen
The theme for 2009 is “Murder They Wrote: Songs of Murder in the Tradition.” Featured performers include Donal Maguire (Co. Louth), Dan Milner (US), Eamon O'Donnchadha (Co. Dublin), and Mick Quinn (Co. Armagh).

Féile Chomortha Joe Éinniú = Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival (May 1-3, 2009)
Carna, Connemara, Co. Galway
Contact: Micheál Ó Cuaig
Phone: 095 33 599
Email: michealocuaig@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.discoverireland. com/us/ireland-events/ listings/?fid=FI_61594
A weekend of traditional singing and dancing celebrating the life and achievements of sean nos singer Joe Heaney. Carna village lies approx. 80 km (48 miles) west of Galway City - along
the coast road through Spiddal, Casla, Scríb and Cill Chiaráin. Alternatively, take the Clifden road through Moycullen, Oughterard, Maam Cross, Scríb and Cill Chiaráin. Carna is approx. 40 km (24 miles) south of Clifden.

Fleadh Nua (May 17-25, 2009)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Email: ceoltrad@eircom.net
Website: http://fleadhnua.com
A festival of traditional music, the Fleadh begins with a program of
free weekday lunchtime concerts, afternoon workshops and nightly sessions. The weekend is full of music sessions, singing workshops, storytelling workshops, etc.

Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance
June 22-July 3, 2009)
University of Limerick
Limerick, Co. Limerick
Contact: Carl Corcoran
Phone: 61 213431
Email: carl.corcoran@ul.ie
Website: http://www.ul.ie/~iwmc/Blas/ index.html
As the name implies, Blas is a two-week intensive school of music, song
and dance offered by the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Most classes are no larger than 6 or 7
students to one instructor. The singing tutors for 2009 include Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (lead singer of Danú), Iarla Ó Lionáird, and Karan Casey.

Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music (July 4-11, 2009)
Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
Phone: 86 8272300
Email: ssch@douglashyde.com
Website: http://www.douglashyde.com
Workshops include instruction in sean nos singing, led by Mairead Ni
Fhlatharta, and traditional English-language singing, led by Pat Prunty. Classes most mornings 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Full program includes concerts, recitals, sessions, etc.

South Sligo Summer School (July 12-18, 2009)
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
Phone: 071-9120912 [or] 071-85090
Email: southsligosummerschool@eircom. net
Web site: http://www.sssschool.org
Workshops include sean nos singing and traditional singing in English. 2009 schedule not established as this is written.

Joe Mooney Annual Summer School (July 18-25, 2009)
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Nancy Woods
Phone: 071 9641213
Email: nancywoods@iol.ie
Web site: http://www. joemooneysummerschool.com
Details for the 2009 School have not been finalized as this is written.
Instructors for 2008 included Rosie Stewart, Mai Hernon, Fionnuala Reilly and Antaine O'Faracháin.

Carmel Gunning Summer School of Irish Music, Song and Dance (August 3-7, 2009)
Sligo, Co. Sligo
Contact: Carmel Gunning
Phone: 71 9162008
E-mail: carmelgunning@gmail.com
The Queen Maeve Summer School offers classes in Irish traditional music, sean nos singing, and sean nos dancing. Traditional singing workshops in English and Irish will be offered.

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival (August 5-11, 2009)
Feakle, Co. Clare
Contact: Karen Breen
Phone: 061 924 150
Email: karenbreen@unison.ie
Web site: http://www.feaklefestival.ie
Workshops include sean nos singing (led by Ciarán Ó'Gealbháin) and English language singing (offered by Helen Hayes)

Eigse Mrs. Crotty Festival (August 12-16, 2009)
Kilrush, Co. Clare
Contact: Brid O'Mahony (Chairman)
Phone: 86 839 9043 (cell)
Email: eigsemrscrottykilrush@eircom. net
Website: http://www.eigsemrscrotty.com/ index.htm
While mainly a festival to honor concertina playing, the last few festivals festivals included traditional singing workshops led by acclaimed singer Tim Dennehy, as well as singer
sessions. Schedule for 2009 not established as this is written.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 21-23, 2009)
Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Email: info@fleadh2009.com
Web site: http://www.comhaltas.com/ fleadh/eireann.htm [or]
http://www.fleadh2009.com
This yearly festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance is
preceded by Scoil Eigse (August 16-21), a summer school of traditional Irish music in all its dimensions, including sean nos singing and traditional singing in English. Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Fleadh Cheoil is Ireland 's premier traditional festival. The organising committee is aiming for over 250,000 visitors and 11,000 musicians to attend.

Frank Harte Festival (September 25-27, 2009)
Teacher's Club (Club na Muinteoiri)
36 Parnell Square West
Dublin, Co. Dublin
Email: angoilin@goilin.com
Web site: http://www.goilin.com
The festival began in 2006 to honor the contributions of legendary
traditional singer Frank Harte (1933-2005). The 2009 schedule is not set as
this is written. Details will be posted to the website as events are confirmed.

Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 2-4, 2009)
Yeats Country Hotel
Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
Contact: Frank Finn Phone: 071 9169202 (Home), 085 1745625 (Mobile)
Email: tradsing@eircom.net
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
A weekend long event of singing workshops, informal singing sessions, audio
and video presentations, scholarly talks and a field trip. A top class
line-up of the finest singers in Ireland and abroad. Check website for
details. Singers for 2009 include: Pauline Hanley (Co. Roscommon); Mick Quinn (Co. Armagh);
Peadar O'Ceannabhain (Conemara, Co. Galway); and Frances Kennedy (Co. Cork and Kerry).

South Roscommon Singers Festival (October 23-25, 2009)
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne [or]
Phone: 087 966 7029 (Declan, cell)
Email: dhalon2@eircom.net
Website: http://www.dhalonproductions . ie
The 2009 schedule is not settled as this is written. The 2008 Festival
featured Sean Garvey, Helen Hayes, and numerous others from Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Offaly, Roscommon and Wicklow.


Oireachtas na Gaelige (October 28-November 1, 2009)
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: +353 1 475 3857
Email: eolas@antoireachtas.ie
Web site: http://www.antoireachtas.ie
Foremost annual competition in sean nos singing. Details can be provided by emailing the contact.

Ballintogher Music Festival (October 30-November 1, 2009)
Ballintogher, Co. Sligo
Contact: Teresa McCormack
Phone: 0 71 916 4250
Email: ballintogherfestival@hotmail. com
Website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~ fredfinn/Home.html [then click on
the Festival link]
The Festival is sponsored by the Fred Finn Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. The lineup for 2009 is not established as of this writing. The 2008 singing workshop was led by Frank Finn.

Geordie Hanna Traditional Singing Weekend November 13-15, 2009 [2nd Weekend in November]
Derrytresk GAC, Co. Tyrone
Northern Ireland
Organisers: Ailish Hanna [or] Jim Hanna
Phone: 28 79634467 (Ailish) [or] 28 87748982 (Jim)
Email: hannaderryvarne@hotmail.com (Ailish)

Ennis Trad Festival (November 13-15, 2009)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 87 625 8726
Email: contact@ennistradfestival.com
Website: http://www.ennistradfestival. com/index.html
The workshop schedule for 2009 is not complete as of this writing. Two singing sessions held as part of the 2008 festival; however Niamh Parsons, Antaine O'Fearrachain, Dick Hogan, Ron Kavana and John Lyons are regular attendees.

Eigse Dhiarmuid O' Shuilleabhain (December 4-6, 2009)
Coolea, Co. Cork
Contact: Eilis Ni Shuilleabhain (Phone: 026 45366)
Rachel Ni Riada (Phone: 026 45430)
Noirin Ui Dhalaigh (Phone: 066 7126201)
Email: info@eigsedhiarmuidin.ie
Web site: http://www.eigsedhiarmuidin.ie
The workshop and concert details for 2009 are as yet undecided but will
be posted when available. The 2008 English-language singing workshop was led by Jimmy O'Brien. The sean nos workshop was led by Ciarán Ó'Gealbháin. Featured concert included appearances by Rosie Stewart and Jimmy O'Brien.

Festivals in the United States

Songs, Tunes and Supper (February 15, 2009)
Oakhurst House
120 Hill Street
Whitinsville, Massachusetts
Contact: Stephanie Gant
Phone: (508) 966-2450 (leave a message)
Email: sgant@remgant.net [or] rsvp@songstunesandsupper.org
Website: http://www. songstunesandsupper.org
"A fireside song circle party with Robbie O'Connell.” Festivities get underway at 4 PM with a concert set by Robbie, followed by the song circle. Cost is $12.00 or contribute something to the potluck dinner.

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann North American Convention (April 16-19, 2009)
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
1 South Broadway
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Email: comhaltasconvention2009@slia. org
Website: http://www.slia.org/ comhaltasconvention2009.html
Schedule includes Irish Language Singing worshops, led by Annmarie Kavanagh,Lena Bean Uí She, as well as English language singing workshops, led by Tadgh Maher.

Catskills Irish Arts Week (July 12-18, 2009)
Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre
P.O. Box 320
East Durham , New York 12423
Contact: Paul Keating/Artistic Director
Phone: (800)-434-FEST (3378) or 518-634-2286
Email: irishartsweek@gmail.com
Website: http://www.east-durham.org/ irishartsweek/
The singing faculty at this year's Irish Week includes Len Graham, Patricia Flynn and the venerable Mick Quinn (who at 83 is the hale and hearty dean of traditional Northern Ireland singers). Len and Patricia will be teaching singing at the daily classes, and Mick will do some master classes. Teaching the Irish language singing class will be Brian Hart (of the band Bua).

Irish Week (July 19-24, 2009)
Augusta Heritage Center Davis and Elkins College
100 Campus Drive
Elkins, West Virginia 26241
Phone: (800) 624-3157, ext. 1209 [OR] (304) 637-1209
Email: augusta@augustaheritage.com
Web site: http://www.augustaheritage. com/irish.html
Tuition for classes will be $440 for the week. Information on housing and meals will be announced later. Teachers include Dan Milner (“Finding Your Own Voice in Irish Traditional Singing”), Robbie O'Connell (“Songs, Singing and Performance”), and Jim Flanagan (“Irish Songs and Ballads”). "In the evening participants may join lively sessions or swap ballads."

Swannanoa Celtic Week (July 12-18, 2009)
Warren Wilson College
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville, North Carolina 28815-9000
Phone: (828) 298-3434
Email: gathering@warren-wilson.edu
Web site: http://www.swangathering.org
Instructors include Aoife Clancy and Robbie O'Connell. See web site for more details.



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