Willie Clancy Summer School
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| Willie Clancy Summer School Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy | |
|---|---|
 Willie Clancy statue in Milltown Malbay | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Irish traditional music and dance |
| Date(s) | July |
| Begins | First Saturday |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Schools, hotels, homes |
| Location(s) | Milltown Malbay, County Clare |
| Coordinates | 52°51′18″N 9°24′00″W / 52.855°N 9.400°W |
| Country | Ireland |
| Years active | 1973—present |
| Founders |
|
| Participants | 1,000 |
| Attendance | Thousands |
| Activity | Classes in instruments and dancing, céilis, lectures, recitals, workshops |
| Website | scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy |
The Willie Clancy Summer School (Irish: Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy) in Ireland is the world's largest traditional music summer school, held annually since 1973 in memory of the uilleann piper Willie Clancy.[1][2] During the week, nearly a thousand students from all over the world attend daily classes taught by experts in Irish music and dance. In addition, a full programme of lectures, recitals, céilí dances, and exhibitions are run by the school.[2]
School events are held in the town of Milltown Malbay in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, during the week beginning on the first Saturday of July.[2] The weekly registration includes six classes, all lectures and recitals (except the Saturday concert), and reduced price admission to céilís. Lectures, recitals, the concert, and céilís are open to the public.
The summer school won the MÓRglór Award (named in memory of Muiris Ó Rócháin) in 2025.[3]
The school
[edit]Clancy discussed the idea of a summer school with his friends in 1972, months before he died.[4] The event was founded by a committee of local people after the death of Clancy, aged 54, in January 1973. After the death of Clancy, Muiris Ó Rócháin built on this idea with Séamus Mac Mathúna, Martin Talty, Junior Crehan and Paddy Joe McMahon.[5][3] They were soon joined by others like Sean Reid, Jimmy Ward and Peadar O'Loughlin.[citation needed]
The school has a fine reputation as an event where Irish traditional music can be learned and practised by all. It was founded with the idea that music could be learned outside of the strictures of competition or borders. Students include children and teenagers as well as adults. All are mixed within classes according to level of musicianship on a particular instrument. It is possible during the week to attend activities as different as reed making workshops for pipes, as well as concertina classes, for example.
Classes are held in schools, hotels, and private houses. Depending on the student's wishes, it is possible to change teachers during the week. Teachers are chosen for their expertise and many are renowned exponents of Irish music and song.
Attendance
[edit]During the week, crowds visit Milltown Malbay solely for informal playing, or to listen to traditional Irish music in venues such as pubs, kitchens, and streets. This casual audience does not attend classes and turned it into a festival.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Festival in danger due to cutbacks Last visited 21-11-2009.
- ^ a b c Granville, Aoife (5 July 2025). "Why Willie Clancy Week is the highlight of trad music calendar". RTÉ Brainstorm.
- ^ a b "Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy to Receive MÓRglór 2025 Award". The Journal Of Music. 25 April 2025.
- ^ Vallely, Fintan (2011). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music. Cork: Cork University Press. ISBN 978-1859184509. p. 754
- ^ Vallely, Fintan (2011). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music. Cork: Cork University Press. ISBN 978-1859184509. p. 754
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
