vCeol na Coille Summer School Returns 10-14 July in 2023 with a Trad
Camp for Kids and more Family-Friendly Events!

The annual event draws musicians and music lovers from all over Ireland
and beyond, and has become one of the most highly regarded traditional music
summer schools in the country. This year, the summer school is expanding to
include a Trad Camp for kids aged 5 years and over, in addition to the regular
program of classes for intermediate and advanced level musicians including
adults. The kids Trad Camp will offer a fun and engaging introduction to traditional
Irish music, with expert tutors teaching a variety of instruments and offering
workshops on traditional singing also.
The five-day program also includes daily tutor recitals, concerts, sessions, and
an exhibition, providing plenty of opportunities for participants to showcase
their skills and learn from some of the best traditional musicians in the business.

Alot of events are family-friendly, free and open to the public, ensuring that
 everyone can enjoy the festivities. Some highlights for 2023 include a Ensemble
Workshop for teenagers with a newly commissioned piece of music from
 Donegal Tg4 Gradam Ceoil Bursary recipient Catriona Ní Ghribín, supported
by the Regional Cultural Centre and Líonra Leitir Ceanainn.
Wednesday 12th will see Seamus and Caoimhe Uí Flatharta perform in the RCC
 also.

Ceol na Coille Summer School prides itself on its commitment to
 promoting and preserving traditional Irish music, and its reputation as a friendly
and welcoming atmosphere for all participants. With a strong focus on practical
learning and hands-on experience, the school offers a unique opportunity for
musicians of all levels to learn from some of the best traditional musicians in
the business. Commenting on the summer school, Director Paul Harrigan said 
’We are thrilled to be returning for another year of Ceol na Coille.This year, we
 are excited to expand the program to include a Trad Camp for kids, as well as
plenty of family-friendly events throughout the week. We remain committed to 
promoting and preserving traditional Irish music and look forward to
welcoming old friends and new participants to our summer school in 2023′

A special thank you to the Arts Council of Ireland Festival Investment Scheme with whos support has made this years summer school possible.

Registration for the Ceol na Coille Summer School and Trad Camp is now
open, and early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. For more
information or to register, please visit www.ceolnacoille.ie/summerschool

email info@ceolnacoille.ie

One of Donegal’s best-known music weeks, Ceol na Coille Summer School & Trad Camp, has made a successful return after the Covid lockdowns, with students from as far away as Japan, the US and Italy attending the recent series of music classes, workshops and concerts in Letterkenny.
Organiser Paul Harrigan said: “It was great to have the Summer School back in full swing this year with face-to-face classes after the two years of restrictions. We were able to welcome back wonderful tutors from not just Donegal but around the country. And students of all ages enrolled from near and far, with some flying to Ireland specially to take part in the 10th Anniversary summer school”

“There was a great buzz around Coláiste Ailigh, which was our base for classes during the week. We also had recitals, family sessions and wonderful concerts, as well as the usual sessions in pubs around the town.” Another addition to this years activities was the Braon Beag Gailge – ‘A wee drop of Irish’ conversation circle hosted each afternoon in Coláiste Ailgh by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn.
Tutors this year included some of Donegal’s best-known musicians, such as Dermot Byrne on button accordion, Roisin McGrory on fiddle, John Lee on flute and Martin Crossin on uilleann pipes. Visiting tutors included fiddler Yvonne Casey from Clare, traditional singer Deirdre Scanlon from Tipperary, and banjo player Oisin Murphy from Emyvale in Monaghan. “The afternoon tutor recitals were a great treat again this year and we would like to thank the Donegal County Council, Donegal Tourism and the Dept of Culture for helping make this happen with LLPPSS funding support.”
One of traditional music’s renowned guitarists Steve Cooney was guest tutor for a fantastic one day masterclass.
In addition, the 10th anniversary concert featured Steve, who was on stage with Dermot Byrne, Yvonne Casey and Deirdre Scanlan in the Regional Cultural Centre. The RCC was also host to the very successful festival club family session which ran throughout the week.
“During the restrictions of the pandemic we marked the summer school week with especially recorded online performances and tutorials in association with the RCC. So this year being our 10th anniversary we were excited to celebrate our association over the years with this fantastic concert in the RCC ”

Weekly traditional music lessons resume at the Ceol na Coille School of Traditional Music in Letterkenny in September.

@govisitdonegal @RegionalCulturalCentre @DepartmentofCultureIRL

Ceol Na Coille Summer School & Trad Camp 11-15 July

We are delighted to offer free public events at Ceol Na Coille Summer School & Trad Camp. The ethos of the summer school has always been family centered and inclusive.

Some events that are free and open to the public are our evening recitals 3-4pm Monday 11th – Thursday 14th July in Coláiste Ailigh. These recitals will feature tutors at Ceol Na Coille Summer School. Thanks to Donegal County Council Local Live Performance Programming Scheme and @DepartmentofCultureIRL for helping making this happen with funding support.

Conversation Circle every day 1.45pm followed by our tutor recitals with Líonra Leitir Ceannainn.

Come Try the Pipes Interested in learning the Uilleann Pipes, come and try on Wednesday 1-2pm.

Ceol Na Coille Festival Club Junior Session, in association with the Regional Cultural Centre 6.30-8pm Tuesday 12th – Thursday 14th.

For more info www.ceolnacoille.ie/summerschool

Thanks as always to the support have from the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny  @DepartmentofCultureIRL Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCE Líonra Leitir Ceanainn @donegaltourism Na Píobairí Uilleann #LocalLive

Ceol na Coille Summer School & Trad Camp ’22

11-15 July , Letterkenny, Co. Donegal  17 Days to Go!

www.ceolnacoille.ie/summerschool

Steve Cooney – Guitar Masterclass

Ceol na Coille Summer School and Trad Camp are celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year. We are looking forward to welcoming back friends from around the globe as well as new pupils. Mark your calendar 11-15 July, Letterkenny. One of the Highlights this year is our anniversary concert in collaboration with the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny who over the past 10 years have been a huge support of Ceol na Coille in all its events. We are delighted to welcome Dermot Byrne, Yvonne Casey and Steve Cooney on Thursday 15th to the RCC with support from Deirdre Scanlan. What better musicians to mark this major milestone in the success of Ceol na Coille Summer School. So come join us for a great week of workshops, masterclasses, recitals, sessions and concerts 11-15th July. www.ceolnacoille.ie/summerschool for more info.

Ceol na Coille/ Regional Cultural Centre Anniversary Concert