www.burrenfiddleholidays.com

Have you ever dreamed of learning Irish music, or gifting yourself some focused time to master your existing skills? Burren Fiddle Holidays gives you the unique opportunity to work on your traditional Irish fiddle-playing goals, with an accomplished teacher, in stunning surroundings.

Set between the Burren National Park and the Clare county town of Ennis, tuition takes place in the magical atmosphere of a traditional farmhouse kitchen. Back in the day, the house was built by Tom Ward who was a fiddle player with the famous Kilfenora Céilí Band -it often feels like he designed the main room with great sound in mind!

Be it an introductory lesson, weekend tuition, or a 5-day fiddle retreat, Burren Fiddle Holidays have the option to suit you. Don’t worry if you don’t have an instrument or if travelling with an instrument is too difficult – there are a couple of fiddles available to loan. Complete beginners are welcome – all that is needed is a spirit of adventure to get you playing your first tune. You’ll also be given a personal recording to take home and play along with. This could be the start of an addictive and enjoyable musical journey! For the intermediate and advanced players, tuition can be guided or self-directed. Tune phrases are chosen to illustrate aspects of rhythm, tone, ornamentation, variation and bowing patterns. Your teacher has experience of several regional fiddle playing styles and a music library for listening to stylistic differences. Teaching is by ear unless you’d like to use staff notation/ABC. If you can’t make the trip to Co. Clare, tuition is also available on Skype.

Tuition is available for adults and accompanied children. Burren Fiddle Holidays offers a double room (on Airbnb) for the individual/couple who would like to stay in the farmhouse for the duration. For groups, accommodation can be arranged two miles away in Corofin village.

Classes usually take place in the morning. This leaves you free to spend your afternoons exploring the spectacular countryside and local towns and villages, and your evenings enjoying the company of some of the best traditional players. In this area you are never more than 30 minutes away from an evening music session, and your part in the living Irish music tradition.

For more details, please see www.burrenfiddleholidays.com and ‘like’ the Facebook page at Facebook.com/burrenfiddleholidays where regular updates and music clips are posted.