Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance 2022

Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance 2022

Monday, 20 June 2022, 10.00am

Blas is back in person! Now in its 26th year, the Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance returns to the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick this 20th June – 1st July. Following on from the success of their 2021 virtual programme, this year will see the highly anticipated return of face-to-face tuition with the traditional two-week course (subject to national and sectorial covid restrictions). 

Blas, directed by Pamela Cotter, has firmly established itself as one of Ireland’s most prestigious university accredited summer schools, drawing students from all over the world to spend two weeks gaining access to the expertise of some of Ireland’s finest artists, which this year includes Dónal Lunny, John Carty, Siobhán Peoples, Kevin Crawford, Tom Doorley, Karan Casey, Tommy Hayes, and Colin Dunne, to name but a few. In addition to expert tuition and masterclasses, Blas students can expect a whole range of activities including lectures on Irish traditional music and dance topics, Irish language classes, lunchtime and evening concerts, sessions, céilithe, field trips and above all, the unique opportunity to share tunes with some of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians. 

Following its launch, a range of public events will take place throughout the summer school, including the annual Francis Roche Memorial lecture, the Blas Bilingual Interview with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Áine Hensey, and daily lunchtime concerts with Blas tutors. 

Blas is also proud to present two evening concerts as part of its public events series. The first concert features Donegal sisters Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill on Wed 22nd June at 8pm in Theatre 1, Irish World Academy. This will be a real treat for song lovers as the sound of their solo and combined voices is indescribable. The second concert will feature the popular and multi-award-winning quintet Goitse on Thurs 30th June at 8:30pm in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick. Celebrating the launch of their new album, Goitse will delight audiences with their mix of modern compositions and traditional favourites. This concert is generously supported by funding from the Limerick Culture and Arts Office, Limerick City and County Council. Lucky Blas students will also get the opportunity to learn from each of these amazing performers during the daytime masterclasses.

Blas is also continuing its link with the Willie Clancy Summer School and recommending a further week of insight into all aspects of Irish traditional music through participation in The Scope of Irish Traditional Music (Dúchas an Cheoil) in Miltown Malbay Co. Clare in early July. This initiative between Blas and the Willie Clancy Summer School will enable students to earn university accreditation worth 3 undergraduate credits (6 ECTS credits). More details on The Scope of Irish Traditional Music are available at: www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com

For further information on all aspects of the Blas Summer School, including concert tickets, visit www.blas.ie or contact Pamela Cotter, Director, by email (Pamela.Cotter [at] ul.ie). 

Blas 2022 Teachers
Fiddle

  • Tara Breen
  • John Carty
  • Áine McGeeney
  • Eileen O’Brien
  • Siobhán Peoples

Flute

  • Majella Bartley
  • Kevin Crawford
  • Tom Doorley
  • Niall Keegan

Harmonic Accompaniment

  • Cormac de Barra
  • Alan Colfer
  • Danny Collins
  • Dónal Lunny
  • Conal O’Kane
  • Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
  • Alan Reid

Song 

  • Karan Casey
  • Sandra Joyce
  • Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill
  • Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh

Bodhrán

  • Tommy Hayes
  • Jim Higgins
  • Colm Phelan 

Dance

  • Sibéal Davitt
  • Colin Dunne
  • Siobhán Manson
  • Michael Ryan

For further details and booking, visit the link below. 

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Blas Summer School Promo Video

Published by Journal of Music on 3 May 2022

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