A Cha/irde Ceoil

Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy
The Frankie Kennedy Winter School

Programme

This Winter School (Scoil Gheimhridh) takes place in north west Donegal, and this is the 5th year. It is run to commemorate the late Frankie Kennedy, flute player, and founder member of Altan who died in September 1994. Over the years the objectives of the Winter School have clarified, and are generally regarded to be: (a) to provide a fitting event to remember Frankie by, (b) to provide tuition for musicians, of all ages, (c) to provide a platform for musicians and groups who play/sing traditional music, (d) to provide a venue and excuse for those musicians, students, and their friends, to meet and have some fun and sessions and chat. The venues are: The Lakeside Centre, Dunlewey - at the foot of Errigal Mountain, beside the Lake Ostan Gaothdobhair - On the Beach, midway between Bunbeg & Derrybeg, Osatn Ghleann Bhe/'Dodge - About a mile further on towards Derrbeg, on the road to the golf course, and another beach

Begins: 28/12/'98 - Monday
Might end: 2/1/'99 - Saturday

Monday 28th
1.00pm, Registration, Lakeside Centre
2.30pm, Classes, Lakeside Centre
4.30pm, Official Opening, Lakeside Centre le Paddy Glackin, Ceoltóir & Craoltóir, Introduced by Earle Hitchner (Irish Voice & The Wall Street Journal)
8.30pm, Concert, Trad Trathnóna/Local Musicians , Lakeside Centre

Tuesday 29th
11.00am, Classes
4.00 pm, The Songs, le Brian (Danny Minnie) Ó Dómhnaill, Óstán Gaothdobhair
8.30pm, Concert, Beginnish, Lakeside Centre

Wednesday 30th
11.00am Classes, Lakeside Centre
3.30pm, 'Na Flutes'/The Big Blowout, Flute workshop using Frankie's flutes, Ionad Cois Locha
8.30pm, Concert, Aoife Ní Fhearraigh & Band, Lakeside Centre, Lakeside Centre

Thursday 31st
3.00pm, Concert, Dermot Byrne & Friends, Lakeside Centre
10.00pm, Ceol, Céilí & Craic, Kevin Doherty, Cooney & Begley, Ostan Ghleann Bhe/'Dodge'

Friday 1st
4.00pm, Concert, Dog Big, Dog Little, Ostan Ghleann Bhe/'Dodge'
8.30pm, Concert, Altan, Lakeside Centre

Saturday 2nd
8.30pm, Concert, Altan, Lakeside Centre

Tuition will be given at the Winter School on the following musical Instruments:

Students are advised to bring a tape recorder to the classes

Unfortunately, these classes are not suitable for absolute beginners. However, if you are a beginner, please contact us for details of beginners classes which will be held later under the auspices of NÓTA. Please ensure that your instrument is in working order.

As a registered Student attending, or as a Supporter of The Frankie Kennedy Winter School, you are entitled to preference in the allocation of tickets to the various concerts and events, entry to the Official Opening, and a discount as shown on the basis of 'first come, first served', an allowance of one ticket per event per application.

It is very important that you get your application in in good time as there is always a great demand for places and tickets.

We are proud to announce that Frankie Kennedy's name has been remembered by three bursaries, worldwide. The Washington DC Céilí Group, have sent 3 children to the Willy Clancy Summer School in Milltown Malbay, The Texas Irish Festival Committee have also sponsored young budding musicians in his name, and The Music Network in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, have also remembered Frankie through their young musicians educational programmes. More recently, a Cómhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch has been established in Nashville, Tennessee, called the Frankie Kennedy Branch. There is also a room named after Frankie in a house for homeless people in Philadelphia, a charity which Altan have played for in previous years.

Gearoid Mooney (gearoidm@IOL.IE)
The Registrar, The Frankie Kennedy Winter School, Bunbeg, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland.