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Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School
July 2, 2017 - July 7, 2017
€55 – €140
The Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School takes place from Sunday, 2nd July to Friday, 7th July and is a week to celebration our traditional Irish music, song, dance and Gaeilge. Classes run from Monday to Friday with registration for classes in Kilmovee Community Centre at 9am on Monday, 3rd July. To secure a place, participants are encouraged to pre-register with the Kilmovee Family Resource Centre (Tel: 094 9649814 / email – kilmoveefrc@nulleircom.net) or to book online at www.smgsummerschool.com
Tutors for the week are as follows:
Morning Classes – 10am to 1pm
Fiddle: Paddy Ryan, John McHugh, Síofra McHugh
Tin Whistle: Michael Hurley, Fionnuala Collis-Kearins, Marian Egan
Concertina: Bernie Geraghty, Breda Shannon
Flute: Paul Smyth, Aidan Shannon
Accordion: Tommy Doherty, Seán Hanily
Le Chéile: Cian & Caoimhe Kearins
Afternoon Classes – 2pm to 5pm
Comhrá Gaeilge: Méabh Ní Chathasaigh
Sean Nós Dancing: Ger Butler, Laura Ganley
Traditional Singing: Cian Kearins & Caoimhe Kearins
Banjo: Shane Mulchrone
Harp: Holly Geraghty, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín
Bodhrán: Joseph McNulty, Aonghus Ó Maicín
Traditional Guitar: Colleen Towey-Duffy
Classes are great value at just €55 for the week (U18s) and €80 (Adults). Morning and Afternoon special rates are available at €90 for U18s and €140 for Adults. Le Chéile, which is a workshop for 15 to 18 year old musicians, singers and dancers at improver to advanced levels costs €70 for the week. A family discount is available for bookings of 3 or more pupils from one family.
The classes all take place in Kilmovee and an accommodation list is available from the Kilmovee FRC for any visitors who are looking for a place to stay in the area for the week. Outside of the classes, it is a week packed with FREE activities for anyone that would like to attend and celebrate our Irish Heritage.
The Summer School week will start with Aifreann Gaeilge in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee at 10am on Sunday, 2nd July. This will be followed at 2pm by an interactive talk focusing on ‘Dermot Grogan – The Man and The Music’. The talk on this world famous Kilmovee musician will be delivered by Joe Byrne, local broadcaster and historian and takes place in the ‘Cois Tine’ Heritage Centre in Kilmovee. It will be followed by a Seisiún with many of the musicians who played with Dermot over the years. Sunday will close with a Seisiún Mór at 9.00pm in Finan’s Bar, Charlestown.
In addition to classes starting on Monday, 3rd July, the Official Opening of the Summer School will take place with one of Ireland’s finest new bands GATEHOUSE at 8pm in Kilmovee Community Centre. The band members are John Wynne, John & Jacinta McEvoy and Rachel Garvey. This will be followed by the monthly ‘Cois Tine’ Heritage night with local and visiting musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers, with a cupán tae and home baking provided.
Sessions will continue through the week with a slow session each night starting at 8pm where pupils all get a chance to participate and a full session with tutors and local musicians starting at 9.30pm.
Venues for the sessions are as follow:
Tuesday, 4th July: Duffy’s Four Ways, Kilmovee
Wednesday, 5th July: Shazzy Macs, Kilkelly
Thursday, 6th July: Brusna Inn, Brusna
The week will conclude with the Closing Concert featuring pupils and tutors at 7pm on Friday night in Kilmovee Community Centre. All events for the week are FREE to attend and open to the public so come along and enjoy some of the now renowned Kilmovee hospitality.
The Summer School would not be possible without the support of the sponsors which include – Mayo County Council, The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Comhaltas, IMRO and ETB. Also essential for the week is the support of all of the local sponsors who will be acknowledged during the Summer School week and in printed materials post the Summer School. The Summer School Committee would like to acknowledge the support of local politicians including Councillors John Caulfield, Tom Connolly, Gerry Murray and Senator John O’Mahony.
Primarily the Summer School is possible due to a huge voluntary effort by the people of Kilmovee so come along and enjoy one of the finest Summer Schools in the country in this unique village in East Mayo. Bígí Linn!
