Willie Clancy Summer School. | Oidhreacht an Chlair

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is a week-long summer school in traditional music and set dance held annually at Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. The first and biggest of such events, it commemorates the town's best-known uilleann piper, Willie Clancy, and has been running since just after his death in 1972. The idea was initiated by Clancy himself, and implemented within six months by teacher Muiris 0 Róchain in collaboration with CCE's timire ceoil Séamus Mac Mathüna and local musicians Martin Talty, Paddy Joe McMahon and Junior Crehan. The school is focused around the teaching of instruments and set dancing in formal classes, but stresses the value of the oral/aural tradition. In its fleadh-style volume of music-making in bars it has become something of a Mecca in the music, its retinue of up to a hundred and fifty teachers, and hundreds of improving and competent musicians, dancers and singers drawing in thousands of listeners. The school addresses the cultural and intellectual side of traditional music by the inclusion of daily workshops on singing and the tradition, afternoon lectures and evening recitals. The 'Breandán Breathnach memorial lecture', given by various authorities in traditional music, opens the school, a music tribute at Clancy's grave, launch of albums and publications in traditional music follow. Scores of impromptu sessions accompany these organised activities, nightly set dance and céilis complement a routine of morning classes given by top players on uilleann pipes, flute, tin whistle, concertina, fiddle, button accordion and set dancing. [Classes in harp, banjo and harmonica have been added in recent years.]

- Adapted from The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, edited by Fintan Vallely, (Cork University Press (1999)

Officers:

Programme Director & Secretary:

Muiris Ó Rócháin,

telephone 065 708 4148 065 708 4148

Administrative Director:

Harry Hughes,
telephone: 065-708 4281

Music Liaison:

Eamon McGivney.

The Willie Clancy Summer School is an Irish registered charity.

Enrolment
The first opportunity for enrolment is on Saturday 3rd July between 2.00 pm and 6.00 pm in the Community Hall, Miltown Malbay. Students may also enrol at the various venues on Monday morning at 9.30 am.

Fees.
The fee of €140 (Euro) or £140 (Sterling) or $250 U.S. covers all classes, workshops(morning), lectures (afternoons), and evening recitals.
Registered students are entitled to reduced admission of €5, to all céilithe.
Registered students have free admission to lectures (€6) and all recitals (€10)plus free admmission to afternoon two-hand dances.

All students must arrange their own accomodation and transport.

Admission to the classes and workshops is by Weekly Registration only. It is not possible to register for these on a daily basis. Admission to lectures, and other events is however, open to the general public for a small charge, payable at the door, prior to the event.

School fee payable to:
Muiris 0 Rócháin, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay. Or

Harry Hughes, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay,

Or on registration.

Music Classes:

For Whom:	There are no classes for beginners in instruments except on pipes.
	Classes will be graded in all instruments, Beginners may attend the Dúchas an Cheoil (Scope of Irish Music) or the Traditional Singing Workshop, or the Dancing Classes

Time:	All Classes and Workshops will be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

Venues	The FIDDLE CLASSES will be held at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point. Workshops on Clare fiddle styles cater only for advanced fiddle players. Demonstrations by noted fiddlers will be a feature of the fiddle tuition for the week.
	The WHISTLE AND FLUTE CLASSES will be held in National School and in private houses (further details at registration). The CONCERTINA CLASSES will be held in National School, and in private houses (further details at registration). The BANJO CLASSES will be held at McAuley House, Spanish Point. The BUTTON ACCORDION CLASSES (B C and C# D) will be graded at Quilty Tavern, Quilty. Classes will be held at the following venues in Quilty: G.A.A. Clubhouse, National School, Credit Union House Leon Centre and Quilty Tavern. The HARP CLASSES will be held at GAA Grounds, Miltown Malbay. The PIPING CLASSES and PIPERS WORKSHOP will be held in West Clare Resource Centre, Ballard Road and in private houses. Piping Classes will be pre-registered. Contact Na Piobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta St., Dublin 1, or Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. The HARMONICA CLASSES will be held at Church of Ireland, Community Centre, Spanish Point.

Number of classes:	Piping 18;
	Whistle 18:
	Flute 18;
	Concertina 12;
	Accordion 8;
	Fiddle 30;
	Dance Workshops 10;
	Banjo 8;
	Harmonica 2; Harp 6; Melodeon 2.

Dancing Classes

There is a choice of ten dance workshops daily:

THE BOYNE SET, THE MELLORY LANCERS, THE PARIS SET, THE VALENTIA RIGHT AND LEFT AND THE CLADDAGH SET at Community Hall.
BALLYVOURNEY REEL SET, ANTRIM SQUARE, KILFENORA REEL SET, CLARE PLAIN SET, SOUTH GALWAY SET at Armada Hotel, Spanish Point.
THREE OLD STYLE STEP DANCING CLASSES at St. Joseph's, GAA Club, Miltown Malbay. Classes will be graded: beginners, intermediate & advanced.
BEGINNERS: STEPS FOR SETS PLUS SOME CLARE SETS at Golf Club, Spanish Point.
JIG AND POLKA SETS from Sliabh Luachra and West Kerry at Áras Chaitríona, St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point.
CONAMARA SEAN NÓS DANCING at the Mill Marquee, GAA Grounds, Miltown Malbay.
STEPS AND RHYTHM of the CLARE SET, BATTERING etc. at The Hall, St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point.
TWO HAND DANCES: Two workshops free and confined to registered students only on 5th, 6th, 7th & July, 3 - 6 pm at Mill Marquee, GAA Grounds, Miltown Malbay.

Official Programme of Set Dancing Céilithe for 2010.

Date	Time	Mill Marque, GAA Grounds, Miltown	Quilty Tavern
Sat. 3rd	9.30-1.00	Templehouse Céili Band	Taylor's Cross Céili Band
Sun. 4th	9.30-1.00	Taylors Cross Céili Band	Annaly Céili Band
Mon. 5th	9.30-1.00	Matt Cunningham Céili Band
Tues. 6th	9.30-1.00	Tulla Céili Band
Wed. 7th	3.00-6.00	Kilfenora Céili Band
Thur. 8th	3.00-6.00	Brian Ború Céili Band
	9.30-1.00	Tulla Céili Band
Fri. 9th	9.30-1.00	Four Courts Céilí Band	Brian Ború Céili Band
Sat 10th	9.30-1.00	Allow Céili Band	Four Courts Céilí Band

Also please note:

Large solid sided Marquee for 2010.
Registered students for 2010 have reduced admission (€5) to all official céilithe. One ticket will suffice for both venues.
Registered students have free admission to afternoon lectures or seminars (€6) and recitals (€10), plus free admission to afternoon two-handed dance workshops.
Instructions for all dancers from beginners to advanced, including three workshops on old style step dancing, Conamara sean nós dancing, two-hand dances and new sets for 2010.
Dance Tutors for 2009 include Pádraig O'Dea, Timmy McCarthy, Terry Cullen, Jerry O'Reilly, Irene Martin, Mary Friel, Eileen O'Doherty, Mary McGrath, Noel Devery, Margaret Wray, Paddy Neylon, Mary Clancy, Geraldine Clancy, Aidan Vaughan, Marie Garrity, Betty McCoy, Mick Mulkerrins, Maighread Casey, and various assistants.

Traditional Singing Workshops:

For whom:	These are not strictly singing classes, the workshops will take the form of lectures, group discussions, class participation and demonstrations by traditional singers in Irish and English.

Time:	The workshops will be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

Venue:	The workshops will be held at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point.

By whom:	The workshops will be conducted by Brian Mullen, B.B.C. Radio Foyle and Ian Lee, Producer, R.T.E.

Singing Recital on Friday at 3.00 pm.

An afternoon of TRADITIONAL SINGING IN IRISH AND ENGLISH with the following singers: Eoin Warner, Tommy McCarthy, John Lyons, Nell Ní Chróinín, Pól O Ceannabháin, Róisín White, Margaret Bennett, Gabriel McArdle, Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin and Sean Mac Craith.

Dúchas an Cheoil: (Scope of Irish Music).

For whom:	No previous experience of Irish traditions is necessary for this week long introduction to the Irish Musical Tradition. Masters of the instrumental, dancing and singing (Irish & English) traditions will demonstrate and discuss their crafts with students.

Time:	The workshops will be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday

Venue:	The workshops will be held at The Library, St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point.

By whom:	Paddy Glackin, renowned traditional fiddle player and Cathal Goan, an authority on traditional singing will conduct this course.

Recitals

Monday, 8.00 pm	FIDDLE RECITAL in Community Hall
	John Kelly, Brendan McGlinchey, Martin Hayes, Tommy Peoples, Ben Lennon, Connie Connell, Tony Linnane, Nicholas McAuliffe, Mick Conneely, CaoimhIn 0 Raghallaigh, Oisin Mac Diarmada, Antóin MacGabhann, Joan Hanrahan, Anne Rynne, Siobhan Peoples, Liam O'Connor, Leah Kelly, David Doocey, Ciaran 0 Maonaigh, Máire O'Keeffe, Joe Rynne, Eamon McGivney, Vincent Griffin, Dermey Diamond, Aine O'Connell, John McEvoy, Darach O'Connor, Michael Kelleher, Tara Breen, Donal , O'Connor, Jessie Smith, Kevin Glackin, Peadar Ó Lochlainn, Denis Liddy, Martin Dowling, Bernadette McCarthy, Gerry O'Connor, Matt Cranitch.

Tuesday, 8.00 pm	WHISTLE AND FLUTE RECITAL in Community Hall
	Mary Bergin, Paul McGrattan, John Wynne, Conal Ó Grada, Gary Hastings,Sean Potts, Anne Sheehy, Sean Ryan, Fintan Vallely, Mick Crehan, Brid O'Donoghue, Billy Clifford, Mick Hand, Róisin Nic Dhonncha, Louise Mulcahy, Tara Diamond, Eamon Cotter, Mick O'Connor, Francis O'Connor, Marcus 0 Murchú, Kevin Crawford, Marion McCarthy, Maureen McGrattan, Eibhlín de Paor, Ciaran Somers, Adrian McCarron, Catherine McEvoy, Geraldine Cotter, Peter Phelan, Aoife Granville and Gavin Whelan.

Wednesday, 8.00 pm	PIPING RECITAL at Community Hall
	with Kevin Rowsome, Cormac Cannon, Donncha Dwyer, Pat Mitchell, Padraig Keane, Nollaig Mac Cárthaigh, Sheila Friel and Tiarnán 0 Duinchinn.

Thursday 4.00 pm	ACCORDION RECITAL in the Community Hall, presented by Joe Burke and Jackie Daly. Many well known accordion players will participate.

Thursday 8.00 pm	An evening of OLD STYLE STEP, SEAN-NÓS, AND TRADITIONAL SET DANCING, in the Community Hall. Michael Tubridy will present the dancers.

Friday 3.00 pm	An afternoon of TRADITIONAL SINGING IN IRISH AND ENGLISH in the Community Hall,
	with the following singers: Eoin Warner, Tommy McCarthy, John Lyons, Nell Ní Chróinín, Pól Ó Ceannabháin, Róisín White, Margaret Bennett, Gabriel McArdle, Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin and Sean Mac Craith.

Friday 8.00 pm	CONCERTINA RECITAL in Community Hall
	with Noel Hill, Marty O'Keeffe, Lorraine O'Brien, Caitlin Nic Ghabhann, Mary Ellen Curtin, Timmy Collins, Edel Fox, Dympna O'Sullivan, Michelle Mulcahy, Hugh Healy, Claire Keville, Jack Talty, Jackie McCarthy, Katie O'Sullivan, Aoife Kelly.

Saturday 7.00 p.m.	CEOLCHOIRM MHÓR.
	Top Class Traditional Concert in Community Hall with leading traditional artistes. This is the premier Irish Traditional Music concert of the year. The concert will be from 7.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m.

Lectures and Seminars:

Venue:	All the lectures and Seminars will be held in the Community Hall.

Saturday 8.00pm	Official Opening by Michael Falsey, Traditional musician and singer.

Saturday 8.30 pm	Breandán Breathnach Memorial Lecture: The Traditional Arts and the National Economy: by Philip King, musician, broadcaster and filmmaker.

Monday 3.00 p.m.	Lecture: The Music of Kerry: a wider landscape by Nicholas McAuliffe, musician and music tutor.

Tuesday 3.00 pm	Seminar: A Tribute to the McPeake family of musicians and singers, Belfast. Facilitator: Dr. Fintan Vallely, musician, writer and lecturer at D.I.T. Dundalk.

Wednesday 3.00 p.m.	Lecture: Talamh an Eisc: a harvest of Newfoundland, song and music - by Dr. Margaret Bennett, singer, scholar and writer.

Thursday 2.00 pm	Lecture: Irish Traditional Singing in English: a personal view of habitual song performance in the English language in Ireland, past, present and future by Dr. John Moulden, singer and scholar of traditional song.

Religious Ceremonies.

Sunday 4th 10.00 am	Mass in Irish at St. Joseph's Church, Miltown Malbay.

Sunday 11th 10.00 am	Seán 0 Riada Mass with the Coolea Choir at St. Joseph's Church, Miltown Malbay

Visit to Willie Clancy's Grave

Sunday 4th at 3.00pm There will be a musical tribute at Willie Clancy’s grave on the Ballard Road.

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic.

These classes are run daily from Monday to Saturday, in St. Joseph's National School, Miltown Malbay from 2.00pm to 3.00 pm.
The classes are open to everyone and are free of charge.
Enrolment in the school is not necessary to attend these classes.

Accomodation and transport.

All students will have to arrange their own accommodation and transport.

A list of available accommodation for students in the locality can be had from Muiris 0 Rócháin or Harry Hughes, Miltown Malbay.

You may view the Accomodation list for 2010 here

Calendar

Saturday 3rd

2.00 - 6.00pm

Enrolment in Community Hall,

8.00 p.m

Official Opening by Michael Falsey.

8.30 pm

Breandán Breathnach Memorial Lecture by Phillip King.

9.30 pm

Céilí at Mill Marquee with The Templehouse

9.30 pm

Céilí at Quilty Tavern with Taylor's Cross C.B.

Sunday, 4th

10.00 am

Mass in Irish at St. Joseph's Church,

3.00 p.m.

Musical Tribute at Willie Clancy's Grave

9.30 pm

Céilí at Mill Marquee, with Taylor's Cross

9.30 pm

Céilí at Quilty Tavern with Annaly

Monday, 5th

9.30 am

Enrolment at the various venues

10.00 am-1.00 pm

Workshops and Classes

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

3.00 pm

Lecture: The Music of Kerry: a wider landscape by Nicholas McAuliffe, musician and music tutor.

4.45

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition Launch, at Áras OaC

8.00 p.m.

Fiddle Recital in Community Hall

9.30pm

Céili at Mill Marque, with Matt Cunningham.

Tuesday 6th

10.00am-1.00pm

Workshops and Classes.

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

3.00 pm.

Seminar: A Tribute to the McPeake family of musicians and singers, Belfast. Facilitator: Dr. Fintan Vallely, musician, writer and lecturer at D.I.T. Dundalk

4.00pm

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition, at Áras OaC

8.00 p.m.

Whistle And Flute Recital in Community Hall.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with The Tulla.

Wednesday, 7th

10.00 am-1 pm.

Workshops and Classes.

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

3.00 pm.

Lecture: Talamh an Eisc: a harvest of Newfoundland, song and music - by Dr. Margaret Bennett, singer, scholar and writer.

4.00 pm

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition, at Áras OaC

8.00 p.m.

Piping Recital at Community Hall.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with The Kilfenora

Thursday, 8th

10.00 am-1 pm.

Workshops and Classes.

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

2.00 pm

Lecture: Irish Traditional Singing in English: a personal view of habitual song performance in the English language in Ireland, past, present and future by Dr. John Moulden, singer and scholar of traditional song.

3.00 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with The Brian Ború

4.00 pm

Accordion Recital in Community Hall

4.00 pm

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition, at Áras OaC

8.00 p.m

An evening of Old Style Step, Sean-Nos, And Traditional Set Dancing

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with the Tulla

Friday, 9th

10.00 am-1 pm.

Workshops and Classes.

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

3.00 pm.

An afternoon of Traditional Singing In Irish and English, in the Community Hall.

4.00 pm

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition, at Áras OaC

8.00 p.m.

Concertina Recital in Community Hall.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with The Four Courts.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Quilty Tavern with the Brian Ború

Saturday, 10th

10.00 am-1 pm

Workshops and Classes.

2.00-3.00pm

Classes in spoken Irish and Scots Gallic

7.00 pm

CEOLCHOIRM MHÓR. Top Class Traditional Concert in Community Hall.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Mill Marquee with The Allow.

9.30 pm

Céilí at the Quilty Tavern with The Four Courts.

4.00 pm

Péintéirí Ceolmhara - art exibition, at Áras OaC

Sunday, 11th

10.00 am

Seán 0 Riada Mass with Coolea Choir at St. Joseph's Church.

Sponsors and Benefactors.

We are especially grateful to the following for financial assistance to the 2008 School:

The Arts Council,
Diageo Ireland,
Foras Na Gaeilge,
Shannon Development.
T.G.4,
RTE Raidio Na Gaeltachta,
IMRO,
Iomairt Cholm Cille,
Bus Éireann
Clare Co. Council,
Local Subscriptions and Suppliers To Locality

We are grateful also to the following for their assistance:

Na Píobairí Uilleann,
Mick O'Connor,
B-Tech,
The Management Committee of the Community Hall,
The Board of Management of Miltown Malbay National School,
The Bellbridge House Hotel,
The Armada Hotel,
Coiste Gairm Oideachais an Chláir,
The Board of Management,St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point,
Spanish Point Golf Club,
West Clare Resource Centre,
St. Joseph's G.A.A. Club, Miltown Malbay,
McAuley House,
Church of Ireland, Community Centre, Spanish Point;
The Board of Management, Quilty National School ,
Quilty Credit Union,
Quilty Tavern,
Kilmurry Ibrickane G.A.A. Club.
The Leon Centre, Quilty

NO VISUAL OR PROFESSIONAL RECORDINGS OF ANY TYPE ALLOWED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTORS.

A FACILITY FEE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL RECORDINGS.

THE WILLIE CLANCY LOGO AND NAME ARE COPYRIGHT

Smaoineamh an Lae - Iuil 2008

Thugas turas i mbliana ar an 36ú Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy i Sráid na Cathrach, Contae an Chláir. B'é seo mo chéad thuras ar an bhféile mór ceoil seo, oscailt súl dom ab ea an méid a bhí le feiscint agam, ardú croí ab ea an méid a bhí le clos agam agus thóg saíocht an fhéile ó thalamh na hÉireann mé le meanman agus misneach. Chaitheas chúig lá agus chúig oíche ann cé go raibh an fhéile ar siúl ar feadh naoi lá agus naoi oíche agus le cúnamh Dé bead ann an bhliain seo chughainn ó thosach go deireadh má mhairim.

Is iontach go deo na bóithre beaga agus na cuilbhóithre atá timpeall an cheantair seo agus is dá mbarr san n'fhaca aon tranglam tráchta le linn mo thurais. Ní raibh aon teora lena raibh do dhaoine óga ann, na sluaite acu agus aoibh an dóchais ar aghaidh gach duine acu. Bhí tuismitheoirí, múinteoirí, aoianna agus daoine meánaosta go líonmhar ann agus anuas orthu san go léir bhí na seanashaighdiúirí nú na seana-warriors go fairsing ag síneadh a gcuid saíochta ar aghaidh go dtín nglúin óg. Bhíodh triúr, seachtar, naonúr ina ngasraí ag seinnt cheoil le chéile, duine le uiriis ceoil ina ghlaic aige, duine eile le uirlis ceoil ar a dhrom aige agus an duine a bhí le feiscint gan aon cheol bí siúrálta glan de go raibh an organ béil, an feadóig stáin, an tiompán, dlúthdhiosca nú taifeadán ina phóca aige.

Bhí ranganna ceoil ann ins gach uirlis ceoil de thraidisiún na nGael, ranganna amhránaíochta, ranganna steipeadaíola, ranganna seite, ranganna Gaolainne agus Gáidhlice agus ranganna nach iad de chultúr ársa na nGael ar siúl i scoileanna, hallaí pobail, ostáin, tithe tabhairne agus tithe príobháideacha. Chomh maith leis na ranganna bhí léachtaí, coirmeacha ceoil, céilithe, léiriúcháin, taispeántaisí, seoltaí éagsula, aifrintí agus ócáidí nach iad ar siúl gach lá ó cheann ceann na seachtaine. Bhí stiúrthóir an fhéile ó thús ama, Muiris Ó Rócháin ó Shraid Eoin an Daingin in Iarthar Dhuibhneach thall agus abhus ó mhaidean go hoíche agus ó oíche go maidean ag bualadh, ag fáiltiú, ag gríosadh agus ag spreagadh na ndaoine agus ag déanamh deimhin de go raibh gach rud ag imeacht de réir na físe a bhí aige an chéad uair sé mbliana déag agus fiche ó shin. Bail ó Dhia is ó Mhuire ar fhéin agus ar gach éinne a bhaineas leis.

Dá gcaithinn rogha a dhéanamh idir cluiche caide ceannais uile Éireann i bPáirc an Chrócaigh agus Ciarraí san imirt, idir féile mór an Oireachtais agus Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy bhéadh sé deacair orm ach mholainn d'éinne go bhfuil an acmhainn aige freastal ar na trí féilte iontacha san do thraidisiún mór na nGael. Tabharfaidh siad croí, meanman, misneach, dóchas duit agus cuirfidh siad blianta móra fada sláintiúla le do shaol.

Domhnall Mac Síthigh,
Baile Eaglaise,
Corca Dhuibhne.

Summer School Venues