The 14th Annual Dr Douglas Hyde School of Traditional Irish Music held in the Roscommon town of Ballaghaderreen.

Minister Calleary to open 14th Annual

Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School

Mr. Dara Calleary T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will officially open the 14th Annual Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music in Durkins in Ballaghaderreen at 8.30pm on Saturday July 4th.  This will be followed by Paul Smyth and Jed Foley in Concert. The Summer School will run from Saturday July 4th to Saturday July 11th. This year’s programme, which has something for everyone, includes Lectures, Recitals, Concerts and Tours which will provide the very best of Traditional Irish Music and Song by some of Ireland’s top performers. Classes will commence on Monday July 6th in St. Nathy’s College.  Tuition will be given in Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Concertina, Button Accordion, Piano Accordion, Banjo, Bodhrán, Harp, Traditional Guitar, Sean Nós Singing, Traditional Singing and Comhrá Gaeilge. There are Master Classes in Tin Whistle, Fiddle & Bodhrán.  There is a special one hour per day class in Tin Whistle for 5 to 7 year olds. Classes run each morning from 9.30am to 1.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

Tutors include Carmel Gunning, Mary Murray, Marion Egan, Michael Hurley, Sacra Furey, Fiona Doherty, Paul Smyth, Michael McNamara, Brendan Larrissey, Paddy Ryan, John McHugh, John Regan, Tommy Doherty, Mary Finn, Johnny (Ringo) McDonagh, Junior Davey, Bernie Geraghty, Holly Geraghty, Jarlath Brennan, Shane Mulchrone, Máirtín Ó Maicín, Seamie O’Dowd, Pat Prunty and Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta.

Renowned Seanachi Vincent Pierse will get the week off to a relaxing start with his many stories on the Monday Afternoon.  Patsy McGarry, Irish Times Religious Affairs Correspondent and Author of several books including “First Citizen: Mary McAleese and the Irish Presidency” will deliver a Lecture on Tuesday Afternoon entitled “Roscommon and the Irish Presidency”.  This will be followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Grave of Dr. Douglas Hyde, First President of Ireland, who will be 60 years deceased this year. This Year’s Gala Summer School Concert on Tuesday July 7th will commemorate the contribution to Irish Music and Culture of Seosamh MacGabhann, founder member of this Summer School who died during the year.

On Wednesday July 8th, Paddy Ryan, renowned fiddler, Comhaltas Archivist and Radio Presenter will conduct a tour of Coleman Country to include The Coleman Heritage Centre and Coleman Cottage. On Thursday July 9th, Paul Smyth will conduct a tour of the Music and Heritage sites of Kilmovee & Urlar finishing with a Seisiún in the Cois Tine Heritage Centre in Kilmovee.  There are Recitals each evening in the BMW Auditorium.

Other highlights of the week include An Art Exhibition which runs from Friday July 3rd to Monday July 13th; A Busking Competition on Wednesday evening and The Students’ & Tutors’ Concert on Friday Afternoon.  The Farmers Market which started in tandem with the Opening of last year’s Summer School celebrates its first year on Saturday July 4th with lots of offers in Home Produce and Crafts and continues every Saturday morning in the Shambles, Market Street, Ballaghaderreen.

Ballaghaderreen and Districts Development wish to thank Rev. Dr. Martin Convey, President of St. Nathy’s, for giving the use of the College again this year to stage the Summer School; the BMW Assembly for the use of their Auditorium for Recitals, and the Durkin family, Meet You Here Café for the use of their premises for events and John Duffy for providing premises for the Art Exhibition.  St. Nathy’s is by far the best venue for a Music Summer School in Ireland, and our students from overseas are always most impressed by the excellent facilities there. B&DD also wish to thank all our sponsors and patrons without whom this School could not be staged and we trust that in coming years they will reap financial rewards for the support they have given to this venture.

The Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School has developed into a major Cultural event which brings the very best of Traditional Music and Entertainment to Ballaghaderreen, making it the place to be from July 4th to July 11th.

For full details contact 086 8272 300

or www.douglashyde.com

Ballaghaderreen is a Ballaghaderreen is a busy Cathedral town of approximately 2000 population situated on the Mayo/Roscommon border close to the Lung River. Historically it has been the gateway to the West