The West Cork Literary Festival which takes place this year from July 12th to July 19th in the picturesque West Cork town of Bantry, is a renowned destination for booklovers. A week-long series of workshops, readings, family and young adult events, this year’s line-up includes Mary Robinson, Graham Norton, Tracey Thorn, Kevin Barry, Anne Carson, Tana French, Sinéad Gleeson, Sebastian Barry, and many, many more as well as writing workshops with Adam Weymouth, Wendy Erskine, Liz Berry, Dave Lordan, ER Murray, and a special song writing workshop with Ye Vagabonds, from Monday 15th to Friday 19th July.

Ye Vagabonds are brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn and they grew up playing music together around their hometown of Carlow. After moving to Dublin in 2012, they quickly became a staple of the live music and session scene in Ireland, playing their own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and America. Their 5 day group song writing workshop will look at approaches to writing original material, as well as arranging traditional songs through a variety of exercises and methods.

The course is tailored to people with an understanding of basic musical principles – those who enjoy singing songs and reading or writing poetry. People who understand rhythm and play an instrument will be in a better position to learn but even very basic skills should suffice. Open to mature youngsters and immature oldsters!

Ye Vagabonds will be looking at both song construction and deconstruction as methods of learning. Traditional and folk songs will be the approximate points of departure, but individual participants will have freedom to go as far beyond traditional form and structure as they wish. Participants will be asked to take part in individual as well as group work, to engage in some playful activities, to work on their songs in their own time if they wish, and to share as much as they are willing.

The course will provide ample source material for traditional songs including books and recordings. An array of musical instruments, noise makers and some other useful tools will also be provided.

The workshop runs daily, 9.30am – 12.30pm from Monday 15th July to Friday 19th July at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí. Course fee is €200 and booking is now open on www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie, Telephone: 027 52788/9.
Event page: www.westcorkmusic.ie/events/2019/songwriting-with-ye-vagabonds/

The West Cork Literary Festival is generously supported by The Arts Council, Cork County Library and Arts Service and Fáilte Ireland.

YE VAGABONDS SONG WRITING WORKSHOP
at the WEST CORK LITERARY FESTIVAL 2019

Date: Monday 15 to Friday 19 July 2019
Duration: 5 days
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí
Admission: €200
Booking available at westcorkliteraryfestival.ie