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Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh Returns This Week

February 17, 2015

Scoil Cheoil Begley CooneyThe annual traditional music school, Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh, takes place this week in the idyllic setting of the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry. The village of Ballyferriter will play host to visiting musicians from Russia, Canada, Denmark, the UK and Belgium, as well as Irish musicians who return year after year to the school. Along with creating an international awareness of Ireland’s rich musical heritage, the school inspires young musicians to keep traditional performance alive.

So what makes this four-day event so special? There’s the incredible line-up of classes on offer with gifted musicians, dancers and singers sharing their knowledge on the harp, accordion, bodhrán, banjo, guitar, uileann pipes, fiddle, tin whistle, flute, concertina, bagpipes, mouth organ, sean-nós singing and dancing.

The music classes take place alongside a host of other great cultural and musical events such as the informal conversation classes in Irish and Scots Gaidhlig, a guided walk, a Singers Night, the ever popular pupils concert in the village church, set dancing sessions, the Féile Mass with Peadar Ó Riada and Cór Chúil Aodha, the annual Coffee Morning and session in aid of Crumlin Children’s hospital, and music and song with na Caipiní.

Two great concerts packed with talented musicians and singers are also in the events line-up, with performances from Steve Cooney and Seamus Begley, flute player Harry Bradley (who received Gradam Ceoil in 2014), Scottish gaelic singer Margaret Stewart, uileann piper Mickey Dunne, traditional singer Tommy McCarthy and the amazing Brendan Power on harmonica.

As usual there are also a couple of great new events on the Scoil menu this year, with a performance in the Blasket Centre showcasing three very different singing traditions, a presentation of old 78’s and vinyl recordings in Museum Corca Dhuibhne, and a lunchtime session in Louis Mulcahy Café featuring Brendan Power and old timey fiddle player Benjamin Wetherbee.

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh kicks off on February 18th and continues through to February 22nd.

Like’ the Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh facebook page to be kept up to date with any additions to the line-up, and to book a place on any of the classes, a full list of which is available on the Scoil website at www.scoilcheoil.com.

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