May 2nd – 5th, 2014

www.ardara.ie

For this year’s May Bank Holiday – the place to be is Ardara, Co. Donegal. This quaint and unique Festival in honour of a famous Donegal Fiddler called John ‘The Tae’ Gallagher is in its thirteenth year and is going from strength–to–strength. This year that famous and popular Fiddler, Danny Meehan is being honoured. Danny spent many years in Britain and was well–known in the circuit there before returning home some years ago. Danny is great friends with the Campbells of Glenties and is regularly in their company. A Special Concert takes place on the Friday night in Danny’s honour. This is a Concert not to be missed and space is limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
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May 8th – 11th, 2014
www.galwayearlymusic.com

AD/BC, Greek, Roman and early European Music.
An Archaeolomusicological Adventure

Have you ever heard a tibia, or a carnyx or lyre? Wondered what Nero ‘fiddled’ as Rome burned or what Brian Ború’s harp sounded like? This year’s festival presents a series of concerts, lectures and workshops by the foremost European ensembles and researchers who not only ask the questions, but replicate the instruments and interpret the written and artistic sources to create a fascinating glimpse into the early musical culture of Europe.
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International Bodhrán Summerschool

June 23rd – 27th, 2014

www.craiceann.com

Craiceann is an International Summer School for bodhrán players from beginner to professional level. It has been held each year since 2001 for a week in summer on the beautiful Aran Island of Inis Oirr. This year’s Craiceann runs from Monday June 23rd to Friday 27th. The week includes daily classes with world class tutors, evening concerts, special workshops/lectures, nightly pub music sessions, and other organised events.
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www.sssschool.org

July 13th – 19th, 2014

The 28th South Sligo Summer School of Traditional Music, Song & Dance takes place in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, from the July 13th to 19th, 2014. Instruments taught include fiddle, flute, tin whistle, harp, uilleann pipes, concertina, button accordion, banjo, traditional guitar and bodhrán. Singing workshops are offered in traditional singing in English and Sean Nós singing as Gaeilge. Lilting is also a feature of the singing classes during the week. Dancers are catered for with set dancing classes each morning and sean nós dancing classes each afternoon. Two hand dances are also taught during the week as part of the morning workshops.
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July 13th – 19th, 2014

www.catskillsirishartsweek.com

The MJ Quill Sports and Cultural Centre in the Village of East Durham NY is excited to invite you all to join them in celebration of the 20th year of ‘The Catskills Irish Week’.

This year they are honoring the late Felix Dolan and at the Catskills Irish Arts Week we will be gathering over 60 widely acclaimed artists from Ireland, Canada and America, allowing us to offer master–classes in traditional Irish music, song, dance, story, art and crafts.
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July 19th – 26th, 2014

The Joe Mooney Summer School launch McKenna Project

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 Mc Kenna 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. Mc Kenna was the first Leitrim traditional musician to have his music recorded by the first recording label “The Irish Republic” and later on popular Columbia label.
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July 21st – 25th, 2014

www.tradweek.com

Meitheal 2014 will run from July 21st – 25th in Villiers School, Limerick. A stellar cohort of tutors is being lined–up, many of them from overseas. Reaction to Meitheal 2013 was extremely positive and many students highlight the Finale Concert, and the podcast and TG4 appearance at Fleádh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry as being unforgettable experiences.
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July 20th – 27th, 2014

www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

Rostrevor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

2013 was an excellent year for this International Festival. Thousands of people attended the eight day event enjoying artists such as the Sands Family, Bill Whelan, Sharon Shannon, Mairtin O Connor, Cathal Hayden, Seamie O’Dowd, Beoga, Si Van, Zoë Conway and a host of other artists local and international.
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July 26th – August 2nd, 2014

www.scoilacla.com

Scoil Acla, 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 relaunched 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. Through out the week we have recitals, poetry readings, creative writing readings, indoor and outdoor concerts, sessions, walks, talks, exhibitions and much more.
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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 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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