Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2024
Sráid na Cathrach, Co. an Chláir, 6ú Iúil - 14ú Iúil.
The 52nd Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland.
Saturday 6th July to Sunday 14th July, 2024.
Please note!
Online registration is open and will close on Saturday 22nd June.
Piping students need to pre-register online with
Na Píobairí Uilleann at www.pipers.ie or by contacting them at info@pipers.ie
Welcome to the official website of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, The Willie Clancy Summer School, a major traditional Irish music, song and dance event held annually in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland with instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops, recitals and céilithe all through the week.
Organising Committee:
Harry Hughes (Administrator) tel. 086 877 3747
Éamon McGivney tel. 065 708 7417 or 087 950 0006
Séamus Ó Rócháin tel. 087 926 4256
Deirdre Comber tel. 087-673 5172
and the coordinators of classes/workshops and venue managers.
Please direct all enquiries to: scoilwclancy73@gmail.com
Please do not send queries to the summer school's Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X accounts.
A full list of instrument tutors can be viewed here
Accommodation contact: Maureen Kilduff 089-232 0498 email: kilduffmg@gmail.com
An accommodation list can be viewed and downloaded here
The Willie Clancy Summer School is an Irish registered charity.
To read or download the School's Child Welfare and Safeguarding Policy please click here.
SSWC@50 Photographic Exhibition Video
A selection of photographs from past Willie Clancy Summer Schools was compiled to commemorate the 50th summer school in 2022. It was on view in the Community Centre for the duration of last year's school and is now available to watch on YouTube here.
The YouTube logo below is a link to the summer school's channel of all SSWC videos.
For a list of the Summer School's sponsors and benefactors please visit the About page.
SSWC 2024 International Guests
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy welcomes the Canadian group Gairloch to this year's summer school. They will perform at the international concert on Tuesday 9th July as well as the singing recital on Friday 11th July and the Muiris Ó Rócháin Memorial Concert on Saturday 12th of July. Gairloch will also present afternoon workshops on Québecois traditional fiddling (Weds. 10th July) and sea shanty singing (Thurs. 11th July) at the Mill Marquee - both workshops will be from 2.30pm to 4pm. A member of the group, Kate Bevan-Baker, will present the afternoon lecture on Wednesday 10th July. Times and venues for the concerts and lecture can be found here.
You can read more about Gairloch here.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy also welcomes the American acoustic roots and bluegrass band The Scuffletown Trio who are scheduled for two appearances at the school. On the afternoon of Monday the 8th of July, from 2.30pm until 4pm, they will present a talk/workshop entitled ‘Irish Roots to Appalachian Branches’, exploring the cultural connections between Irish traditional music and its Appalachian off-shoots, and on the afternoon of Tuesday the 9th, from 5 pm, they will perform in the international concert - both events take place at the Mill Marquee.
You can read more about Scuffletown here
EPV approved courses for teachers
Know the Score - Read Music the Trad Way
This CPD Course, designed by Dr Liz Doherty and aimed at traditional musicians and teachers, is offered in partnership with I Teach Trad and certified by the Royal Irish Academy of Music. It is also DES approved for EPV purposes.
To register go to: https://www.riam.ie/short-courses/know-the-score-read-irish-traditional-music
The Course runs at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point, Monday 8th to Friday 12th July, 10am -2.30pm. For further details contact liz@iteachtrad
Dr. Liz Doherty is a traditional musician and educator from Co. Donegal. She is founder and director of I Teach Trad, a platform specialising in professional development and training for traditional music teachers www.iteachtrad.com
Whistle & Dance in the Primary Classroom
This EPV approved course is aimed at primary teachers. The course aims to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and methodologies to teach both tin whistle and traditional dance in the primary school classroom. Participants will be enabled to explore their current music and dance practices and develop lessons and workshops for use in the classroom.
To register go to the summer school's online registration page here
The course runs at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point, Monday 8th to Friday 12th July, 10am-2.30pm. For further details contact lorraineoloughlin@gmail.com
The University of Limerick’s BLAS International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music has joined forces with Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy to promote deeper understanding and appreciation of Irish Traditional music. Click here for more information.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy have had a long association with the Irish Traditional Music Archive whose ITMA Field Recording team are in attendance every year to record all official events for the archive.