The Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance
June 23rd – July 4th, 2014
The Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance returns to the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick (UL) for the 18th successive year this June 23rd until July 4th.
Blas is now firmly established as one of Ireland’s most prestigious summer schools, drawing students from all over the world to spend two weeks gaining access to the finest Irish musicians, singers and dancers. This year Blas tutors will include, Martin Hayes, Colin Dunne, Steve Cooney, Dónal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Noirín Ní Riain, Michelle Mulcahy, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Niall Keegan, John Carty Sandra Joyce and many more.
In addition to expert tuition and master classes, Blas students can expect a whole range of activities including lectures on Irish Traditional music topics, field–trips, Irish language classes (facilitated through the Aonad na Gaeilge, which is the Irish language promotion office at UL), sessions, lunchtime and evening concerts, céilís, and above all, the unique opportunity to share tunes with some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians. Several public events will also take place during Blas, including the annual Francis Roche Memorial Lecture.
The Blas programme has ample content and contact hours that it can be accredited with 3 Academic credits or 6 ECTS credits towards an international degree. This makes Blas unique within the world of traditional music summer schools in that the study of Irish traditional music, song and dance can count as a percentage towards a university degree education.
Further information on Blas 2014 (updates on tutors, scholarships including The Paul Brady Blas Bursary, concerts, seminars and performances) are available from the website www.blas.ie or by contacting Ernestine Healy, Director, Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick. Email: Ernestine.Healy@ul.ie or by Phone: 061 202653.
