www.gradam.ie

An independent panel of adjudicators selects recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil each year. Recipients are presented with a specially– commissioned piece by sculptor John Coll as well as a stipend.

Donegal accordion maestro Dermot Byrne heads the list of recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2013 (Traditional Music Awards). Born and raised in Buncrana in the north–east of the county, his roots stretch to the Teelin Gaeltacht in the south–west and his musical tastes range far and wide. He has been one of the country’s top box players since his teenage years and has been a long–serving member of the internationally renowned group Altan as well as performing regularly with the top names in traditional music and releasing solo recordings too.
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www.irishmusicholidays.com

The Online Academy of Irish Music is to host a series of Irish music retreats in Liscannor, Co. Clare this summer 2013. These retreats consists of daily group workshops, master classes, trips to local traditional music sessions and concerts. Time is also allocated to relax, sightsee and partake in many activities the area of West Clare has to offer. B&B and evening meals are included in the package.
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www.musicnetwork.ie

Music Network presents a dream tour that brings together the dazzling talents of three of the country’s finest traditional musicians; button accordion master Máirtín O’Connor, fiddle player Zoë Conway and guitar and bouzouki player Donal Lunny from May 7th – 14th. Music Network tours provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost musicians at affordable prices in venues around Ireland, and are presented in association with RTÉ lyric fm. Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.
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August 7th–12th, 2013

www.feaklefestival.ie

The 26th Annual Music Festival takes place from Wednesday August 7th to Monday August 12th. This year the organisers are holding a fringe Festival from Monday August 5th to Wednesday August 7th.

The theme of the fringe Festival is “The Therapeutic Benefits of Set-Dancing for Parkinson Disease sufferers.” This will be guided by Dr. Daniel Volpe from Venice. Dr. Volpe has done extensive studies on the subject.
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July 29th – August 5th, 2013

www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie

The dates for the 35th O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival in Keadue, Co. Roscommon have been announced.

The Festival which is held under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend from July 29th–August 5th.
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July 27th – August 3rd, 2013

www.scoilacla.com

The annual Scoil Acla summer school takes place on Achill Island, Co. Mayo. Scoil Acla is Irelands oldest summer school, originally founded in 1910 and re–launched in 1985. Scoil Acla follows the usual format of daily music classes which run from Monday to Saturday on the following instruments, accordion, banjo, flute, concertina, fiddle, harp, tin whistle, uilleann pipes and bodhrán with beginners, intermediate and advanced students being catered for on all instruments.
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July 22nd – 26th, 2013

www.tradweek.com

Applications for the 10th Meitheal Summer School 2013 before March 22nd!

Meitheal 2013, the 10th edition will run from July 22nd – 26th in Villiers School, Limerick. A stellar cohort of tutors is being lined– up, many of them from overseas. Reaction to Meitheal 2012 was extremely positive and many students highlight the Finale Concert, and the appearance with Beoga at the Fleádh Cheoil na hÉireann as being unforgettable experiences.
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July 21st–28th, 2013, Rostrevor Co. Down, Northern Ireland

www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

2012 was an excellent year for this International Festival. Thousands of people attended the eight day event enjoying artists such as The Sands Family, The Mac Connell Brothers. John Sheahan, Eleanor Shanley, Seamus Begley, Steve Cooney, Frankie Lane, Mick Hanly, Paul Kelly, Zoe Conway, John McIntyre, Kevin Doherty, The Henry Girls and a host of other artists local and international.
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July 20th–27th, 2013

www.joemooneysummerschool.com

Twenty five years a–growing and now in full bloom. The story of its growth is both interesting and amazing. It began in 1989 when a small seed was sown in a small town in Co. Leitrim by a small group of people who set out to promote the unique style of Leitrim  music and traditional culture.
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July 14th – 20th, 2013

www.sssschool.org

The 27th South Sligo Summer School of Traditional Music, Song & Dance takes place in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, from July 14th – 20th, 2013. Instruments taught include: fiddle, flute, tin whistle, harp, uilleann pipes, concertina, button accordion, piano accordion, banjo, traditional guitar and bodhrán.
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