West Kerry gearing up for musical mayhem of Scoil Cheoil
It’s almost Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh time, and West Kerry is a bracing itself for the unique madness of this five day event.
From February 15th to 19th, visitors to the village of Ballyferriter can expect to be met by the strains of fiddles, tin-whistles, accordions, harps, bodhráns, bag pipes, mouth organs, concertinas, flutes and uileann pipes, as a host of traditional musicians and music lovers converge on this musical hotspot.
This year’s Scoil Cheoil offers an astonishing choice of 23 classes, with additional classes in the banjo and guitar also available subject to demand. There’ll also be sean-nós singing workshops, sean-nós dance workshops, and masterclasses in sean-nós singing with Máire Ní Chéilleachair, and Scottish tunes with Scottish musician Alan Henderson.
Scoil Cheoil organiser Niamh Ní Bhaoill is directing anyone interested in finding out more about this year’s programme to the Scoil’s new look website at www.scoilcheoil.com
‘We’ll be adding stuff to it all the time, so keep dropping by. People can also follow us on facebook to keep in touch.’
Other events taking place as part of Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh include a Scottish Irish Night, several informal music sessions in the pubs around Ballyferriter, Irish conversation classes in the local dialect with West Kerry author Danny Sheehy, and a guided walk, all of which give people a chance to experience the unique cultural heritage of the West Kerry Gaeltacht.
Classes cost €5O per person and are aimed at adults and young players aged 10 years plus.
Bookings are now being taken for all classes and booking in advance is recommended to ensure a place. To book phone Niamh Ní Bhaoill or Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich on 087 9967501/086 8185964, or email eolas@scoilcheoil.com.
For further information on all events visit www.scoilcheoil.com.
