The Frankie Kennedy Traditional Music Winter School

In the heart of the Gweedore Gaeltacht, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland

This page contains old information. For more recent information (for the upcoming 2000-2001 school) please click here (older information is here and here) or write Gearoid Mooney at gearoidm@iol.ie.

Start off 1997 by learning & hearing Irish traditional music from the masters in:-

The Gweedore Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking & Cultural area), County Donegal

The Frankie Kennedy Traditional Music Winter School - December 27th, 1996 - January 1st, 1997. Details from Gearoid Mooney, Coshclady, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

The Frankie Kennedy Traditional Music Winter School, is centred around the Gweedore Gaeltacht, a culturally rich area where the Irish is the primary spoken language and the traditional customs are still very strong. A native of Belfast, Frankie Kennedy became one of the most influential traditional flute players in Ireland.

With his wife, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, the world renowned group Altan was formed and through the band's numerous award winning recordings his music reached and positively influenced a global audience. Frankie succumbed to Ewing's Sarcoma in September, 1994 and a winter school in his memory was quickly established by his friends and family. The school is devoted to teaching Irish traditional music to the highest standards with a staff of some of the most renowned musicians in the tradition. This year is the third year of the school and it promises to be the most dynamic.

The Classes:

Classes cost only Ir£20 with a 10% discount for each additional person per family. Pre-Registration can be made by payment in advance to Gearoid Mooney at the above address. Registration will take place at 10:30 AM at the Ionad Cois Loucha - The Dunlewey Lakeside Centre. The teachers are as follows: Fiddle - Paul O'Shaughnessy (Ex-Altan) and Liz Doherty (Ex-Nomos); Flute - Tara Bingham and Gary Hastings; Uilleann Pipes - Gay McKeown, Bodhran - Seamus O'Kane; Accompaniment - To Be Announced.

Programme of Events:

Friday, Dec 27th, Official Opening & Live sessions with guest artists and pupils, Dec 28th - Enrollment 10:30 Classes from 11:30 to 4:30 followed by a special guest session to 6 PM. Launch of television music series by Teilifis na Gaeilge at Ionad Cois Locha, 8PM. Concert - Matt Molloy and Friends (incl. Liam O'Flynn) in Ostan Gaoth Dobhair, entry £10.

Dec 29th, classes to 4:30 followed by a special guest & pupils session to 6 PM, evening concert with Altan at Ionad Cois Locha, entry £10. Dec 30th - A singing session on Tory Island (weather permitting) featuring many of the great Gaelic singers of the north west. Evening concert with Altan in Ionad Cois Locha, entry £10.

Dec 31st - an evening concert featuring Martin Hayes at Ionad Cois Locha -entry £10. Storm into the new year with a Begley and Cooney night of set dancing etc. in Ostan Gaoth Dobhair - entry £10. Jan 1st - an evening concert with Luka Bloom in Ionad Cois Locha - entry £8.

Stop Press!.......Join the School Members Club @ Ir£5 by Dec. 1st and have first preference at ticket sales!! Remember, in the past, every concert at the school sold out at least twice over!! ......... Stop Press!

For further information contact:

See also the Cairdeas page about summer fiddle schools.

Thanks to CEOLAS for a loan of the background.

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