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Meitheal 2009 will run from July 13th to 17th in Villiers School, Limerick. A stellar cohort of tutors is being lined up, many of them from overseas and composer Michael Rooney will prepare the orchestral score. Reaction to Meitheal 2008 was extremely positive and many students highlight the Finale Concert, the Ceili House programme and the appearance at the National Concert Hall as being unforgettable experiences.

Many of the award winners have already played at the events for which they were chosen. Oisin Mac Muiris has completed an Irish tour with CCE, Liam O Briain and the group Dún Suas have played the National Concert Hall and Alan Reid & James Harvey appeared at the Ennis Trad Fest. Meanwhile, Courtney Cullen, Kavan Donohoe and Gavin Strappe are preparing for their festival gigs in the Spring. They have been chosen to appear at the Nyah festival in Cavan and also at the Corofin Trad fest, both in March.

The organisers of Meitheal 2009 are really delighted with the tutor lineup for this July. The tutors are as follows:

Liz Carroll – Chicago (fiddle)
Tom Morrow – Leitrim (fiddle)
Laoise Kelly – Donegal (harp)
Dermot Byrne – Donegal (Accordeon)
Darren Moloney – New York (banjo)
Marco Pollier – France (Uilleann Pipes)
Padraig Rynne – Clare (concertina)
Tom Doorley – Dublin (flute)

The prospect of consideration for a place on Comhaltas’ tour of Ireland later this year is a very exciting aspect of Meitheal for students – as are the other opportunities such as a Céilí House programme, compositon scholarships, solo and group performances at numerous festivals, appearances at the Millenium Theatre, Limerick and the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Information and application forms from
Garry Shannon, Ruan, Co. Clare 087 6704465 www.tradweek.com or email meitheal2@eircom.net