Singing Festivals and Workshops
Festivals in Ireland
Eigse Dhiarmuid O' Shuilleabhain (December 4-6, 2015)
Coolea, Co. Cork
Contact: Eilis Ni Shuilleabhain [or] Rachel Ni Riada
Phone: 026 45366 (Eilis) [or] 026 45430 (Rachel)
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.eigse.ie
The 2015 schedule included a concert performance by sisters Mairead Ni Domhnaill and Triona Ni Domhnaill, as well as workshops in sean nos singing (taught by Nell Ní Chróinín) and ballad singing (taught by Dainni Maidhci O'Suilleabhain). The weekend also included a singers’ session.
Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair (December 27, 2015-January 1, 2016)
Doiri Beaga
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: 074 95 32208 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.scoilgheimhridh.com
The successor to the famed Frankie Kennedy Winter School, the Gweedore Winter School focuses mostly on the instrumental tradition, but does include a workshop teaching songs in Irish from northwest Donegal. All workshops are taught in the Gweedore public school that Monday. The schedule also includes a Singers' Concert led by by Máire Ní Choilm.
Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival (January 27-31, 2016)
Temple Bar Cultural Quarter
Dublin , Ireland
Phone: 1 703 0700
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.templebartrad.com/
The festival showcases the full spectrum of traditional and folk music in some of Dublin's unique venues. Among this year's performers are Scottish singer Julie Fowlis, ex-Cherish the Ladies singer Heidi Talbot (Co. Kildare), and a celebration of the life, music and legacy of Irish singer Eithne Ni Uallachain.
Inishowen Singers Circle Weekend (March 4-7, 2016)
Ballyliffen Hotel
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact: Kevin McGonnigle
Phone: (0)74 937 8964
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://inishowensinging.ie/2016-festival
Featured performers for 2016 include Nell Ni Chroinin (Co. Cork), Radie Peat (Co. Dublin) and Terry Moylan (Co. Dublin), as well as Shona Anderson (Scotland), and Peta Webb and Ken Hall (London).
Ulster Traditional Singing Weekend (April 8-10, 2016)
An Creagan Centre
Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Contact: Tommy Dunn
Phone: (0)28 712 63707 [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
This will be the fifth year of this annual event. The event gets underway Friday evening with a 2-hour singing workshop for all ages, followed by a Junior Singing Session for younger singers, later to be followed by a Big Singing Session, to which all are invited. Singers are expected from Ulster, the Irish Republic, the United States, Canada and other countries, ranging in age from 7 to the 70s. All are welcome.
Fleadh Nua (May 22-30, 2016)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 065 682 4276
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://fleadhnua.com
Fleadh Nua is a festival of traditional music, bringing together concerts, ceilis, music, song and dancing workshops, and street entertainment. The 2016 schedule is not set as this is written. Earlier featured singers included Jimmy O’Brien (Killarney), Philip Enright (West Limerick) and Rosie Stewart (Fermanagh).
South Sligo Summer School (July 10-16, 2016)
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
Phone: 071 912 0912 [or] 071 912 151
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.sssschool.org
Workshops for 2016 not settled as this is written. 2015 instructors included Mairead Ni Fhlathartha (sean nos singing) and Caoimhe Kearins(traditional singing and lilting).
Joe Mooney Annual Summer School (July 16-23, 2016)
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Nancy Woods
Phone: 071 964 1213
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.joemooneysummerschool.com/
Classes for 2016 not set as this is written. 2015 classes included traditional singing (taught by Rosie Stewart, Caoimhe Kearins and Fionnuala Reilly-Maxwell), as well as sean nos singing (taught by Lorcán Mac Mathúna).
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival (August 3-8, 2016)
Feakle, Co. Clare
Contact: Tina Nelson or Gary Pepper
Phone: 087 647 3537 [or] 061 924 322
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.feaklefestival.ie
Schedule for 2016 not final as this is written. Workshops for 2015 included sean nos singing and traditional singing workshops led by Ciaran O'Gealbhain.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 14-22, 2016)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 065 682 4276
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.fleadhcheoil.ie
This yearly festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance is preceded by Scoil Eigse, a summer school of traditional Irish music in all its dimensions, including sean nos singing and traditional singing in English. Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Fleadh Cheoil is Ireland's premier traditional festival.
Frank Harte Festival (September 23-25, 2016)
Teacher's Club (Club na Muinteoiri)
36 Parnell Square West
Dublin, Co. Dublin
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.goilin.com [then scroll down the page and click on the picture of Frank]
The festival began in 2006 to honor the contributions of legendary traditional singer Frank Harte (1933-2005). The dates for 2016 must be considered approximate, based on earlier festivals. The information on the 2016 festival will be posted in May 2016. The 2015 schedule included: Aileen Lambert (Co. Wexford), Eugene McEldowney (Belfast), Aodan O'Ceallaigh (Co. Waterford), Grace Toland (Co. Donegal), and Roisin White (Co. Down).
Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend (October 2-4, 2015)
Yeats Country Hotel
Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
Phone: 87 263 2437 [OR] 87 693 5909
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://sligotradsingers.ie
The 2016 dates must be considered approximate as of this writing, based on dates of previous festivals. The 2016 schedule is not finalized as this is written. 2015 special guests included Jack Boyce (Co. Leitrim) and storyteller Patsy McDermott (Co. Cavan). Those seeking accommodations while in the area would do well to check out the Yeats Country Hotel http://www.yeatscountryhotel.com
When making your reservation, mention Trad Sing.
Oireachtas na Gaelige (October 28-November 1, 2016)
Citywest Hotel
Saggart, Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 475 3857
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.antoireachtas.ie
Foremost annual competition in sean nos singing. The details concerning the 2016 competition, including the dates and venue, are not finalized as this is written. What is listed above must be considered approximate until closer to the event. Details can be provided by emailing the contact or visiting the website before the beginning of the festival.
Festivals in the United States
Sean-Nos Northwest Festival (Date to be determined for 2020)
Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia , Washington
Contact: Sean Williams
Phone: (360) 867-6623
Email: https://www.seannos.org/contactus
Website: http://www.seannos.org/
Originally scheduled for April 2020, the festival was postponed due to the Corona Virus pandemic. The festival celebrates three aspects of traditional Irish culture: the Irish language, sean-nos dancing and sean-nos singing. It is hoped the festival can be held later in the year. Classes include traditional singing in English and Irish. Among the scheduled instructors at this years’ festival will be Máire Ní Chéileachair, sean-nós singer from County Cork. All classes will be in the Communications Building of the college. Preferred contact is by email. For security purposes, a form is provided through the "Contact" address above. They will then contact you through conventional email.
Catskills Irish Arts Week (July 12-18, 2020)
Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre
P.O. Box 320
East Durham , New York 12423
Contact: Reidin O'Flynn
Phone: 518-634-2286
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www. catskillsirishartsweek.org/ index.html
Instructors for the 2020 Irish Arts Week include Eimear Arkins (Traditional and Sean Nos Song), Cathal Lynch (Songs of Ulster), and Mary Courtney (Song Repertoire). Arkins was born in Ruan, Co. Clare but now lives in St. Louis. Cathal Lynch is from Co. Tyrone. Mary Courtney was born in Castlegregory, Co. Kerry but now lives in New York.
Celtic Week (July 12-18, 2020)
The Swannanoa Gathering
Warren Wilson College
PO Box 9000
Asheville, North Carolina 28815-9000
Phone: (828) 298-3434
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.swangathering.com [then click on entry for Celtic Week]
The schedule for 2020 includes Derry singer Dáithí Sproule (“The Gaelic Song Tradition” and “The Irish Otherworld in Story, Music and Lore,”) Antrim and Armagh singer Len Graham (“Songs from the Irish Tradition,” and “The Humour is on Me Now”), Louth-Clare flutist and singer Nuala Kennedy (The Big Sing), and Galway instrumentalist and singer Dave Curley (“It’s a Miner’s Life for a Miner’s Wage” and “Love in Its Many Forms”). Also appearing will be Scottish singer Ed Miller.
Irish/Celtic Week (July 24-29, 2016)
Augusta Heritage Center Davis and Elkins College
100 Campus Drive
Elkins , West Virginia 26241
Phone: (800) 624-3157 ext. 1209 [OR] (304) 637-1209
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://augustaheritagecenter.org
Founded by Mick Moloney in 1982, Augusta Heritage Irish Week is the oldest festival of its kind in the United States. Activities include workshops, music sessions, song circles and concerts. 2016 singing instructor will be Nuala Kennedy (Co. Louth).
©2020 Christopher Brennan. All rights reserved.
Festivals in Ireland
Eigse Dhiarmuid O' Shuilleabhain (December 4-6, 2015)
Coolea, Co. Cork
Contact: Eilis Ni Shuilleabhain [or] Rachel Ni Riada
Phone: 026 45366 (Eilis) [or] 026 45430 (Rachel)
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.eigse.ie
The 2015 schedule included a concert performance by sisters Mairead Ni Domhnaill and Triona Ni Domhnaill, as well as workshops in sean nos singing (taught by Nell Ní Chróinín) and ballad singing (taught by Dainni Maidhci O'Suilleabhain). The weekend also included a singers’ session.
Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair (December 27, 2015-January 1, 2016)
Doiri Beaga
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: 074 95 32208 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.scoilgheimhridh.com
The successor to the famed Frankie Kennedy Winter School, the Gweedore Winter School focuses mostly on the instrumental tradition, but does include a workshop teaching songs in Irish from northwest Donegal. All workshops are taught in the Gweedore public school that Monday. The schedule also includes a Singers' Concert led by by Máire Ní Choilm.
Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival (January 27-31, 2016)
Temple Bar Cultural Quarter
Dublin , Ireland
Phone: 1 703 0700
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.templebartrad.com/
The festival showcases the full spectrum of traditional and folk music in some of Dublin's unique venues. Among this year's performers are Scottish singer Julie Fowlis, ex-Cherish the Ladies singer Heidi Talbot (Co. Kildare), and a celebration of the life, music and legacy of Irish singer Eithne Ni Uallachain.
Inishowen Singers Circle Weekend (March 4-7, 2016)
Ballyliffen Hotel
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact: Kevin McGonnigle
Phone: (0)74 937 8964
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://inishowensinging.ie/2016-festival
Featured performers for 2016 include Nell Ni Chroinin (Co. Cork), Radie Peat (Co. Dublin) and Terry Moylan (Co. Dublin), as well as Shona Anderson (Scotland), and Peta Webb and Ken Hall (London).
Ulster Traditional Singing Weekend (April 8-10, 2016)
An Creagan Centre
Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Contact: Tommy Dunn
Phone: (0)28 712 63707 [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
This will be the fifth year of this annual event. The event gets underway Friday evening with a 2-hour singing workshop for all ages, followed by a Junior Singing Session for younger singers, later to be followed by a Big Singing Session, to which all are invited. Singers are expected from Ulster, the Irish Republic, the United States, Canada and other countries, ranging in age from 7 to the 70s. All are welcome.
Fleadh Nua (May 22-30, 2016)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 065 682 4276
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://fleadhnua.com
Fleadh Nua is a festival of traditional music, bringing together concerts, ceilis, music, song and dancing workshops, and street entertainment. The 2016 schedule is not set as this is written. Earlier featured singers included Jimmy O’Brien (Killarney), Philip Enright (West Limerick) and Rosie Stewart (Fermanagh).
South Sligo Summer School (July 10-16, 2016)
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
Phone: 071 912 0912 [or] 071 912 151
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.sssschool.org
Workshops for 2016 not settled as this is written. 2015 instructors included Mairead Ni Fhlathartha (sean nos singing) and Caoimhe Kearins(traditional singing and lilting).
Joe Mooney Annual Summer School (July 16-23, 2016)
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Nancy Woods
Phone: 071 964 1213
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.joemooneysummerschool.com/
Classes for 2016 not set as this is written. 2015 classes included traditional singing (taught by Rosie Stewart, Caoimhe Kearins and Fionnuala Reilly-Maxwell), as well as sean nos singing (taught by Lorcán Mac Mathúna).
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival (August 3-8, 2016)
Feakle, Co. Clare
Contact: Tina Nelson or Gary Pepper
Phone: 087 647 3537 [or] 061 924 322
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.feaklefestival.ie
Schedule for 2016 not final as this is written. Workshops for 2015 included sean nos singing and traditional singing workshops led by Ciaran O'Gealbhain.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 14-22, 2016)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 065 682 4276
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.fleadhcheoil.ie
This yearly festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance is preceded by Scoil Eigse, a summer school of traditional Irish music in all its dimensions, including sean nos singing and traditional singing in English. Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Fleadh Cheoil is Ireland's premier traditional festival.
Frank Harte Festival (September 23-25, 2016)
Teacher's Club (Club na Muinteoiri)
36 Parnell Square West
Dublin, Co. Dublin
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.goilin.com [then scroll down the page and click on the picture of Frank]
The festival began in 2006 to honor the contributions of legendary traditional singer Frank Harte (1933-2005). The dates for 2016 must be considered approximate, based on earlier festivals. The information on the 2016 festival will be posted in May 2016. The 2015 schedule included: Aileen Lambert (Co. Wexford), Eugene McEldowney (Belfast), Aodan O'Ceallaigh (Co. Waterford), Grace Toland (Co. Donegal), and Roisin White (Co. Down).
Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend (October 2-4, 2015)
Yeats Country Hotel
Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
Phone: 87 263 2437 [OR] 87 693 5909
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://sligotradsingers.ie
The 2016 dates must be considered approximate as of this writing, based on dates of previous festivals. The 2016 schedule is not finalized as this is written. 2015 special guests included Jack Boyce (Co. Leitrim) and storyteller Patsy McDermott (Co. Cavan). Those seeking accommodations while in the area would do well to check out the Yeats Country Hotel http://www.yeatscountryhotel.com
When making your reservation, mention Trad Sing.
Oireachtas na Gaelige (October 28-November 1, 2016)
Citywest Hotel
Saggart, Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 475 3857
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.antoireachtas.ie
Foremost annual competition in sean nos singing. The details concerning the 2016 competition, including the dates and venue, are not finalized as this is written. What is listed above must be considered approximate until closer to the event. Details can be provided by emailing the contact or visiting the website before the beginning of the festival.
Festivals in the United States
Sean-Nos Northwest Festival (Date to be determined for 2020)
Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia , Washington
Contact: Sean Williams
Phone: (360) 867-6623
Email: https://www.seannos.org/contactus
Website: http://www.seannos.org/
Originally scheduled for April 2020, the festival was postponed due to the Corona Virus pandemic. The festival celebrates three aspects of traditional Irish culture: the Irish language, sean-nos dancing and sean-nos singing. It is hoped the festival can be held later in the year. Classes include traditional singing in English and Irish. Among the scheduled instructors at this years’ festival will be Máire Ní Chéileachair, sean-nós singer from County Cork. All classes will be in the Communications Building of the college. Preferred contact is by email. For security purposes, a form is provided through the "Contact" address above. They will then contact you through conventional email.
Catskills Irish Arts Week (July 12-18, 2020)
Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre
P.O. Box 320
East Durham , New York 12423
Contact: Reidin O'Flynn
Phone: 518-634-2286
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www. catskillsirishartsweek.org/ index.html
Instructors for the 2020 Irish Arts Week include Eimear Arkins (Traditional and Sean Nos Song), Cathal Lynch (Songs of Ulster), and Mary Courtney (Song Repertoire). Arkins was born in Ruan, Co. Clare but now lives in St. Louis. Cathal Lynch is from Co. Tyrone. Mary Courtney was born in Castlegregory, Co. Kerry but now lives in New York.
Celtic Week (July 12-18, 2020)
The Swannanoa Gathering
Warren Wilson College
PO Box 9000
Asheville, North Carolina 28815-9000
Phone: (828) 298-3434
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.swangathering.com [then click on entry for Celtic Week]
The schedule for 2020 includes Derry singer Dáithí Sproule (“The Gaelic Song Tradition” and “The Irish Otherworld in Story, Music and Lore,”) Antrim and Armagh singer Len Graham (“Songs from the Irish Tradition,” and “The Humour is on Me Now”), Louth-Clare flutist and singer Nuala Kennedy (The Big Sing), and Galway instrumentalist and singer Dave Curley (“It’s a Miner’s Life for a Miner’s Wage” and “Love in Its Many Forms”). Also appearing will be Scottish singer Ed Miller.
Irish/Celtic Week (July 24-29, 2016)
Augusta Heritage Center Davis and Elkins College
100 Campus Drive
Elkins , West Virginia 26241
Phone: (800) 624-3157 ext. 1209 [OR] (304) 637-1209
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://augustaheritagecenter.org
Founded by Mick Moloney in 1982, Augusta Heritage Irish Week is the oldest festival of its kind in the United States. Activities include workshops, music sessions, song circles and concerts. 2016 singing instructor will be Nuala Kennedy (Co. Louth).
©2020 Christopher Brennan. All rights reserved.
