New Term – New Classes at Ceol na Coille

With the new term commencing and the gradual easing of restrictions, we are delighted to welcome new students to Ceol na Coille.

We have new Beginner Classes for children and adults along with our existing classes for all levels. A Return to Music class for those wishing to dust off an instrument that may have been set aside for a while. There will also be a new Beginner Guitar class this term. Drop us a message or email for more information.

@ceolnacoille @paulharriganmus

World Class Traditional Artists for Ceol na Coille Summer School

Traditional music enthusiasts from around the globe will be travelling to Letterkenny 9th – 13th July for the7th annual Ceol na Coille Traditional Music Summer School. Now well established as part of the summer scene along the Wild Atlantic Way, this years summer school will welcome visitors from Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austrialia and USA. And its not only music lovers that will be jetting in for this July, as this year joining the team of tutors are internationally acclaimed artists Catriona McKay – Harp, Jarlath Henderson – Uilleann Pipes and Hamish Napier – Piano. Based at Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ceol na Coille has quickly become one of the ‘must-visit’ weeks of traditional music in the calendar year and its reputation has continued to grow.

Ceol na Coille director Paul Harrigan, an All-Ireland winner on Uilleann Pipes and Piano Accordion, says it’s looking like another record-breaking year.

“This is our seventh year and it’s getting bigger and better every year,” he said. “We’re in the heart of Donegal, which is famous for its traditional music. We have a great team of tutors and we pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming.”

Hamish Napier, ceol na coille summer school, Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland, Flute, PianoVisitors will learn from the highest calibre of tutors in stunning surroundings. A harmonious mix of local and visiting tutors offer classes on a wide range of instruments and at several levels.  The long list of tutors also includes many familiar names such as Roisin McGrory & Clodagh Warnock – fiddle, Michael Carey, Kate McKinley Forde – Whistle, Joleen McLaughlin – Harp, Donna Harkin and Edel McLaughlin – Accordion and John Lee – Flute. This year will see visiting tutors – Deirdre Scanlan – Traditional Singing, Padraig McGovern – Uilleann Pipes, Bríd Harper & Paul O’Shaughnessy – fiddle, Tony O’Connell and Niall Hackett – Concertina, Conor Moriarty – Button Accordion, Dale McKay – Bodhrán and Paul Meehan – Guitar.

The Summer School is ever growing with this year seeing the addition of week long traditional singing workshops as well as “Taithí Gaeltachta”, an initiative squeezing the full Gaeltacht experience into daily classes and workshops with music, sport, drama and art. A family-friendly summer school Ceol na Coille also offers: Trad Camp for kids, “An Club Gaelach”, Improver classes and Irish Language classes for adults.

For teachers, there’s a weeklong CPD course approved by the Department of Education and Skills, delivered by Dr Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain of the University of Limerick. In addition, there are daily recitals, a series of inspiring concerts and thrilling nightly sessions & Festival Club making Ceol na Coille an outstanding week of traditional music, song and Gaeilge.

Ceol na Coille runs from Monday 9th to Friday 13th July 2017. It’s followed immediately this year by the big Folk and Roots weekend of the Earagail Arts Festival in Letterkenny and elsewhere in Donegal.

Bígí ann!

For more information see www.ceolnacoille.ie

@EaragailArts @whatsondonegal @WOLetterkenny @CulturalCentre

Orfhliath Ní Bhriain, University of Limerick, Mick McCabe, Irish Dance, Set Dances, Ceol na Coille Summer School, Letterkenny, Donegal Traditional Music

Jigs to Jacobites – Book Launch

Orfhliath Ní Bhriain, University of Limerick, Mick McCabe, Irish Dance, Set Dances, Ceol na Coille Summer School, Letterkenny, Donegal Traditional MusicAnother exciting launch at this years Ceol na Coille Summer School 9-13 July ‘Jigs to Jacobites – 4000 years of Irish History told through 40 Traditional Set Dances’ This new publication from Dr Orfhliath Ní Bhriain – University of Limerick – and Mick McCabe, will be of interest to musicians and dance teachers alike. The launch will take place in Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny on Wednesday 11th July at 3.30pm. All recitals, launches and Festival Club – House Wine bar and Tap Room – are free and open to public. information at www.ceolnacoille.ie   Bígí Linn