August 8th – 10th, 2014

www.irishfair.com

The 35th Irish Fair of Minnesota, a three–day celebration of Irish heritage and culture, will be held on Friday, August 8th through Sunday, August 10th on Harriet Island in Saint Paul, MN. With 100,000 attendees, this event is the largest free Irish Fair in the United States.  The Irish Fair of Minnesota is included in a list from the Travel Channel of the top seven Celtic festivals in the country.

The Irish Fair of Minnesota will provide a family–friendly experience with a multitude of activities, including traditional music, Irish dance, Gaelic sports, native Irish dogs, the Best Legs in a Kilt Contest, a Zero–K, an expanded children’s area, a literary corner, a variety of Irish shopping opportunities, and an array of food and beverage options.
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August 6th – 11th, 2014

www.feaklefestival.ie

Following on from the hugely successful Feakle International Festival in 2013, this year’s event looks likely to be as exciting as ever.

The 27th Annual event takes place from Wednesday, August 6th to Monday, August 11th. Broadly speaking this year’s event will follow a similar pattern to last year, with six days of action packed entertainment. Renowned the world over for the top acts it brings to the town the committee are busy at present finalising this year’s line–up. There will be numerous concerts, Céilís, Workshops, Recitals, sessions and walks, children’s entertainment etc.

Special guests this year include: ICE (Irish Concertina Ensemble) with Tim Collins, Padraig Rynne, Edel Fox, Caitlín Ní Gabhan and Michéal O Raghallaigh. Also performing will be Lumiere, Goitse, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Dermot Byrnes, Seamus Begley and Donal Murphy Band, plus many more to be confirmed.

For further information visit the website www.feaklefestival.ie
or email: garytpepper@eircom.net  or email: info@feaklefestival.ie

August 1st – 4th, 2014

www.jamesmorrisonfestival.com

www.comhaltas.ie

www.fleadhcheoil.ie

The 22nd James Morrison Traditional Music Festival runs from Friday, August 1st–4th, 2014 in Riverstown, Co. Sligo. The unspoiled rural village of Riverstown in an idyllic setting on the banks of the River Unshin, two miles off the N4 at Drumfin, makes for a most enjoyable music festival. Riverstown’s Irish name is Baile Idir Dhá Abhainn (between two rivers).

It is an undiscovered tranquil rural retreat 9 miles from Sligo Town, locally noted for the relaxed warmth of its residents. A convivial and also welcoming village atmosphere is the hallmark of an intimate festival which focuses on the real traditional experience, featuring trad pub sessions all day and night, a superb concert, open air ceilís, music workshops and a symposium on John Brehony.
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July 28th – August 4th, 2014

www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie

The dates for the 36th 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 28th–August 4th.

Included in the programme of events are Concerts, Céili’s, International Harp Competition, Lectures, Harp Recitals, Music sessions, craft exhibitions and demonstrations and Art exhibitions. The official opening of the festival takes place on Sunday August 3rd.

The Summer School in Traditional Irish Music, Song, Set–dancing and Sean Nos Dancing which has increased in popularity over the years will take place the week before the Festival from July 28th to August 1st. A full range of classes with Ireland’s top tutors are booked to give tuition in the Harp, Tin Whistle, Flute, Bodhran, Button Accordion, Banjo, Fiddle, Concertina, Traditional Singing, Set Dancing and Sean Nos Dancing.

For more information visit www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie Tel. 071 9647247 or email: ocarolan@eircom.net

July 21st – 25th, 2014

www.ceolnacoille.ie

Ceol na Coille will host its annual Summer School of Irish Traditional Music in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal July 21st–25th. Irish Music enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are welcome for this weeklong celebration. Some of the country’s finest performers and teachers will be on hand to deliver tuition and recitals in what will be a great week of music and fun for all.

The Summer School provides Intermediate and Advanced tuition in Fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, Piano & Button Accordion, Concertina, Whistle/Flute, Banjo/Mandolin and Harp and Guitar. Tutors include: Conor Moriarty – Button Accordion, Paul Meehan – Guitar, Shane Bracken – Concertina, Ciáran Mac Fheidhlimidh – Uilleann Pipe with Reed–Making Classes with Martin Gallen. The Summer School also provides Beginner classes for 9 yrs & over and Introduction to Irish Music Class for 6–8yr olds (Instruments Provided).
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July 19th – 26th, 2014
www.joemooneysummerschool.com

The Joe Mooney Summer School was inaugurated in Drumshanbo in 1989. It was dedicated to the late Joseph Mary Mooney, well– known local Councillor and community worker for his life achievements in promoting traditional culture in the area. He was co–founder of Drumshanbo Comhaltas with his wife Aoife and local bodhran player Tim Mannion in the early 50’s. He worked for the promotion of Comhaltas at local, county and Connacht level. He had a huge interest in the life and music of Leitrim’s famous flute player – John McKenna who was born in Tents, Tarmon, emigrated to New York at 24 years of age where his music was in great demand with the Irish diaspora. McKenna was the first Leitrim traditional musician to have his music recorded by the first recording label “The Irish Republic” and later on by the popular “Columbia” label.
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July 13th –19th, 2014

www.sssschool.org

The 28th South Sligo Summer School of traditional music, song and dance takes place in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo from July 13th to 19th, 2014. New features this year include a series of three Composing Workshops, facilitated by Sligo fiddle player and composer Gavin Collis on Monday, 14th and Wednesday, July 16th, with Charlie Lennon facilitating the final workshop on Friday, July 18th. Masterclasses with fiddle player, Manus Maguire and sisters, Michelle and Louise Mulcahy (concertina and flute), a Mixed Instrument Adult Class for beginners and improvers with Fiona Doherty, two Interactive Talks on South Sligo fiddlers Michael Coleman and Fred Finn, on Tuesday, July 15th and Thursday, July 17th, presented by Daithí Gormley and Philip Duffy respectively, are all further highlights of this years’ programme. So too is a Tribute Concert on Monday, 14th July, honouring button accordion tutor Anne Conroy Burke, who has been teaching at the school since 2001.
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July 12th – 26th, 2014

www.eaf.ie

The Home of Tradition and Music

The Earagail Arts Festival is delighted to announce the start of another exciting year, with a host of special events, gigs, theatre, comedy and visual arts to entertain audiences young and old.

With an extensive programme throughout Inishowen, Letterkenny and West Donegal, featuring the very best of local and also international performances, this year’s festival will be your one stop shop for great summer entertainment.
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July 26th – August 2nd, 2014

www.scoilacla.com

Achill Island, Co. Mayo

The annual Scoil Acla summer school takes place on Achill Island, Co. Mayo. Scoil Acla is Ireland’s 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.  Other workshops available are in Art, creative writing, basket weaving, dancing and a course on Gaeilg’ Acla, the Achill dialect of Irish. Throughout the week they have recitals, poetry readings, creative writing readings, indoor and outdoor concerts, sessions, walks, talks, exhibitions and much more. Scoil Acla invites a musician in residence each year to attend the summer school. Previous musicians in residence include: John E Lavelle, Joe Burke and Ann Conroy Burke, Liam O’ Connor, John Carty, Mary Bergin, Laoise Kelly, Catherine McEvoy, Michael O’Raghallaigh, Mick O’Brien,Treasa Ní Cheannabhain, Brenndán Ó Beaglaoich and Eileen O’Brien many of whom have joined them as tutors. Why not join them on Ireland’s largest island for a summer school of music, culture, history agus gaeilge. Is i ár dTeanga is ár gceol ár nDúchas
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June 23rd – July 4th, 2014

www.blas.ie

The Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance returns to the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick for the 18th successive year from June 23rd – July 4th, 2014.

The summer school will be launched on Monday 23rd June where students attending the course at the University’s Irish World Academy will benefit from the wisdom and tutelage of eminent figures of the Traditional World such as Martin Hayes, Dónal Lunny, Steve Cooney, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, John Carty, Colin Dunne, Noirín Ní Riain, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Michelle Mulcahy, Niall Keegan, Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, Mats Melin, Aileen Dillane, Sandra Joyce and Michael Ryan, with more being added all the time.

See our interview with Director, Ernestine Healy in this edition.

For further information on all aspects of the Blas Summer School, see www.blas.ie or contact Ernestine Healy, Director, Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick. Email: Ernestine.Healy@ul.ie
or Tel. 061 202653.