The 14th Annual Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music, which takes place during the first week of July each year, was a great success in 2009, bringing many visitors to the area

The Summer School commenced with the Opening of the Art Exhibition by Fr. Andrew Finan, who gave a very thought-provoking and enlightening talk on Impressionist Painters, on Friday evening July 3rd and was followed by a reception.  This was well attended and had been visited by over 500 people when it closed on Sunday July 12th.  Mr. Dara Calleary, Minister of State at The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment performed the Official Opening of the Summer School on Saturday July 4th followed by the very best of Traditional Irish Music and Song by Paul Smyth, Jed Foley and Lena Ullman in concert.   Mass in Irish was celebrated by Bishop Brendan Kelly on Sunday morning in St. Nathy’s Cathedral. 

This year’s Summer School attracted over 400 Participants and many more visitors to Ballaghaderreen.  Students were drawn from many parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  This year saw an increase in our international visitors with participants from England, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, USA and Australia.

Tuition was provide in Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Bodhrán, Banjo, Concertina, Piano Accordion, Traditional Guitar, Button Accordion and Harp, Comhrá Gaeilge, Traditional Singing and Sean Nós Singing. Master Classes in Tin Whistle were given by Carmel Gunning,   Bodhrán, which was given by Johnny McDonagh (Ringo) and Fiddle taught by Brendan Larrissey were again very popular this year.  A special Tin Whistle Class of one hour duration per day for 5 to 7 year old beginners attracted 13 children.

There were two concerts during the week.  The Tuesday night Seosamh MacGabhann Memorial Concert, which was held in the new Abbeyfield Hotel, featured all 21 Summer School Tutors and visiting musicians, many close friends of Seosamh MacGabhann.  This concert was an outstanding success in terms of quality of music and enjoyment. Seosamh MacGabhann was a founder member of the Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School. The event was recorded for Shannonside Radio on the night by Paddy Ryan. St. Nathy’s College Hall was full to capacity on Friday afternoon for the Summer School Tutors and Students Concert with people travelling from all over Ireland for what was a thoroughly enjoyable event.

Monday afternoons’ visit to The Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre proved very popular for the very informative lecture delivered by Irish Times Journalist and Ballaghaderreen native, Patsy McGarry, entitled “Roscommon and The Irish Presidency”.   Following this Patsy laid a Wreath at the grave of Dr. Hyde who died 60 years ago in 1949.

The Tour of Coleman Country, which was conducted by Paddy Ryan, well known musician and broadcaster, was again a firm favourite this year. The tour took visitors to Coleman sites in South Sligo including Michael Coleman’s Cottage, to Kilavil, the Fred Finn monument and back to the Coleman Centre in Gurteen, which has a very informative new Exhibition Area of Music Archives and instruments as well as an Audio Visual Music research facility.  The Seosamh MacGabhann Tour of the music and heritage sites of Kilmovee and Urlar was conducted by well known Flute musician and son of Seosamh MacGabhann, Paul Smyth. This tour finished with a  Cuppa and a few tunes in the old kitchen of the Cois Tine Heritage Centre.  The tours have proved to be a major attraction and addition to the Summer School, attracting visitors to the town who are here to enjoy the music and do not wish to partake in the workshops. In addition to the talks and information on the various musicians, styles of music and history of the area they also showcase the natural beauty of the countryside surrounding Ballaghaderreen. 

We had recitals in the BMW Assembly Room from 9pm to 10pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  These were attended by approx. 100 people each evening.  The quality of the accommodation and the acoustics in this venue enables the audiences to appreciate the quality of Irish music when played by leading exponents. Spells Venue featured traditional music all day and almost all night. Excellent Seisiúin also took place in Durkin’s, Solan's and Clarke’s.  The Busking Competition attracted 10 Acts onto the streets on Thursday evening with the Hanily/O’Maicín family from Roscommon and Balla taking the first prize. Prizes were presented in Durkin’s followed by a lively Seisún.

There was an overall feel-good factor in the town.  The School is very family friendly from a financial, music and social perspective and this was appreciated by parents who accompanied their children.  The quality of our teachers, concerts, recitals, lectures, the organisation of all aspects of the School and care given to all our students and customers is the hallmark of our School and the main reasons we are growing, especially in the family and overseas market. 

This year’s Summer School was supported financially by The Western Development Commission, The Arts Council of Ireland and Roscommon County Council.    Sponsorship was received from Abbeyfield Hotel, AIB Bank,  Cunniffe's Butchers, Ballaghaderreen & District Credit Union, Nestor & Co., Accountants, Conor & Peggy McGreevy, James Kilcoyne Auctioneers, Duffy’s Supervalu, Michael J. Roddy Painters & Decorators, Kelly TV, John Moynihan, First Class Office, Thompson Butler Steel, Imelda Towey’s Grocery, Clarke’s Bar,  Durkin’s Bar & Accommodation,  Solan’s Bar, Spell’s Bar, McHugh’s Wholesale, Ros Office Supplies, Ballaghaderreen Secretarial Services and Declan O’Callaghan, Solicitor.  This is greatly appreciated and without this the Summer School could not take place.

Special thanks to Comhaltas for their support and to Rev. Dr. Martin Convey, President of St. Nathy’s College, The Abbeyfield Hotel, the BMW Regional Assembly, the Durkin family and John & Bernie Duffy for the use of their premises. 

Plans for the 15th Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School are at an advanced stage with new attractions to suit all music lovers.