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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www.musicnetwork.ie

Featuring: Alasdair Fraser, fiddle, Natalie Haas, cello, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle/voice.

“The musical chemistry between Scottish fiddle legend Alasdair Fraser and young cello ace Natalie Haas is a rare, felicitous thing.” – Boston Herald
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www.oaim.ie

Do you want to learn the Piano Accordion? If so, Mirella Murray’s new ‘Piano Accordion Technique’ course is the one for you. The first lesson of this course is absolutely free, so log-in and get learning!

This course is suitable for those who already have learnt the basics of piano accordion playing but who wish to hone in on their technique. Mirella teaches a lively selection of Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Marches and SlipJigs throughout the thirteen tutorials. She introduces basic ornamentation on the instrument – cuts, triplets, the use of double stops and also shows the left hand chord technique for each of the tunes. All the bass notes and chords are marked out in the accompanying written music.
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Based in Ardara, Co. Donegal

www.dstim.ie

They run courses in Traditional Irish Music and also offer on–line Skype tutoring. Whether you would like a few beginner lessons on the whistle or for the more advance player, enhance your technique and style, the DSTIM has a course for you!
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www.colemanirishmusic.com

At the most central crossroads in Co. Sligo, Gurteen Cross, stands the modern, yet impressive building that is Ceoláras Coleman! This building is the focus for and home to a state of the art traditional music programme! The visitors’ experience is informal, welcoming and friendly. The Centre seeks to provide visitors with a tailor–made first–hand experience of traditional Irish music including a twelve minute audio–visual presentation. The Music Shop stocks an extensive selection of music CD’s, instruments, music books as well as souvenirs and books of local interest with a wider appeal.
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www.facebook.com/michaelmccaguemusic

Due for general release in March is The Waylaid Man, the long awaited album of original compositions in the traditional idiom offered up by Michael Mc Cague. This highly individual and personal project sees the culmination of over a year’s composing, studio work and collaboration with some of the most inspiring and highly regarded musicians currently on the circuit.
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