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 27-31, 2010)
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 Sean O'Se and a workshop on sean nos singing.

Rosslare Traditional Singers Weekend (February 5-7, 2010)
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 19-22, 2010)
The Ballyliffin Hotel
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact: Kevin McGonigle
Phone: 74 937896
Email: info@inishowensinging.ie
Website: http://www.inishowensinging. ie/festival2010.html
Featured performers for 2010 include Jim McFarland, Len Graham, Micil (“Mick”) Quinn, Colm O'Donnell, Peta Webb, Máire Ní Chéilleachair and Derek Williamson.

Ulster Traditional Singing Weekend (April 9–11, 2010)
An Creagan Centre
Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Contact: Tommy Dunn
Phone: 28 712 63707
Email: tommyd_sessionmad@yahoo.ie
Website: http://ulstertradsingers.co. uk/default.aspx
This year's Weekend will be the third version of this annual event. The event gets underway Friday evening with a two-hour singing workshop for all ages, followed by a Junior Singing Session for younger singers, later to be followed by a Big Singing Session to which all are invited. Other days events include a tour and other sessions. Last year's singers included those from Ulster, the Irish Republic and other countries, ranging in age from 7 to their 70s.
All are welcome.

Féile Chomortha Joe Éinniú = Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival (April 30-May 2, 2010)
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 23-31, 2010)
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 21-July 2, 2010)
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 included Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (lead singer of Danú), Iarla Ó Lionáird, and Karan Casey.

Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music (July 3-10, 2010)
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 11-17, 2010)
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. 2010 schedule not established as this is written. Check the website for more information. Classes for 2009 included lilting (taught by Colm O'Donnell), traditional singing in English (Frank Finn) and sean nos singing (Elaine Cormican and Mairead Ni Fhlathartha).

Joe Mooney Annual Summer School (July 17-24, 2010)
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Nancy Woods
Phone: 071 964 1213
Email: nancywoods@iol.ie
Web site: http://www. joemooneysummerschool.com
Details for the 2010 School have not been finalized as this is written.
Instructors for 2009 included Gabriel McArdle, Mai Hernon and Fionnuala Reilly (traditional singing in English) and Antaine O'Faracháin (sean nos singing).

Carmel Gunning Summer School of Irish Music, Song and Dance (August 2-7, 2010)
Sligo, Co. Sligo
Contact: Carmel Gunning
Phone: 71 9162008
E-mail: carmelgunning@gmail.com
Previously known as the Queen Maeve Summer School, the Gunning School offers classes in Irish traditional music, sean nos singing, and sean nos dancing. Traditional singing workshops in English and Irish are offered. The schedule for 2010 was not finalized as this is written.

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival (August 4-10, 2010)
Feakle, Co. Clare
Contact: Karen Breen
Phone: 061 924 150
Email: info@feaklefestival.ie [or] karen@laccaroehouse.com
Web site: http://www.feaklefestival.ie
Schedule for 2010 not final as this is written. Workshops for 2009 included sean nos singing (led by Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola) and English language singing (offered by Phil Callery)

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 20-22, 2010)
Cavan, Co. Cavan
Phone: 049 433 7994
Email: info@fleadh2010.ie
Web site: http://www.comhaltas.com/ fleadh/eireann.htm [or]
http://www.fleadh2010.ie
This yearly festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance is
preceded by Scoil Eigse (August 15-20), 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.

Frank Harte Festival (September 24-26, 2010)
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 2010 schedule is not set as
this is written. Details will be posted to the website as events are confirmed. Performers for 2009 included Robbie McMahon (Co. Clare), Maire Ni Chroinin (Co. Dublin), Maire Ni Choilm (Co. Donegal), and Maurice Leyden and Jane Cassidy (Co. Antrim).

Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 1-3, 2009)
Sligo City Hotel
Quay St.
Sligo Town, Co. Sligo
Contact: Frank Finn
Phone: 071 9169202 (Home) [OR] 085 1745625 (Mobile)
Email: tradsing@eircom.net
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
Dates not confirmed as of this writing. 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 included: 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 22-24, 2010)
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne
Phone: 087 966 7029 (Declan, cell)
Email: declan@southroscommon.ie
Website: http://www.southroscommon.ie
The 2010 schedule is not settled as this is written. Every year the festival also presents the Annie McNulty Award for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of traditional singing at home and abroad. Previous recipients included such figures as Mick Moloney and Len Graham. The 2010 recipient will be Cork City singer Jimmy Crowley.

Oireachtas na Gaelige (October 27-31, 2010)
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 28-31, 2010)
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 2010 is not established as of this writing. The 2009 singing workshop was led by Frank Finn. Featured performers included Sean O'Se, Martin Donohue and Seamus Fay.

Geordie Hanna Traditional Singing Weekend (November 12-14, 2010)
Derrytresk GAC, Co. Tyrone [Contact Ailish for information]
Northern Ireland
Organisers: Ailish Hanna [or] Jim Hanna
Phone: 28 79634467 (Ailish) [or] 28 87748982 (Jim)
Email: hannaderryvarne@hotmail.com (Ailish)

Eigse Dhiarmuid O' Shuilleabhain (December 3-5, 2010)
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 2010 are not established as this is written, but will
be posted when available. The 2009 English-language ballad singing workshop was led by Dainni Maidhci O' Suilleabhain The sean nos workshop was led by Maire Ni Cheilleachair. Featured performers include Fermanagh singer Gabriel McArdle.








Festivals in Other Countries

Germany

Workshop Weekend for Irish Music (March 6-7, 2010)
Musikschule der Bundesstadt Bonn
Mehlem'sches Haus
Rheinaustrasse 131
Bonn-Beuel
Germany
Contact: Sabrina Palm
Phone: 0228 9156391
Email: sabine.thelen@bonn.de
Website: http://www.doubletop.de/ workshop/wochenende/bonn.html
In addition to the workshops in tin whistle, guitar, fiddle and ensemble playing, the weekend will include a traditional singing workshop led by Emily Spiers. Registration
cost is 95 Euros.

United States

Sean-Nos Northwest Festival ( January 15-16, 2010 )
Com Building
Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia , Washington
Contact: Maldon Meehan
Phone: (503) 206-9311
Email: seannosnw@gmail.com
Website: www.seannos.org
The festival celebrates three aspects of traditional Irish culture: the Irish language, sean-nos dancing and sean-nos singing. The singing instructors include Lillis O'Laoire, Sean Williams and David Ingerson.

 

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