2016 Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School – Launch Photos

The Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School is a week full of Traditional Irish Music, Song, Dance and Gaeilge. Classes run from Monday 4th to Friday 8th July with registration for classes in Kilmovee Community Centre at 9am on Monday. To secure a place, participants are encouraged to pre-register with the Kilmovee Family Resource Centre (Tel: 094 9649814 / email – [email protected]) or to book online at www.smgsummerschool.com. 

Tutors for the week are as follows;
Morning Classes – 10am to 1pm
Fiddle: Paddy Ryan, John McHugh, Síofra McHugh
Tin Whistle: Michael Hurley, Aidan Shannon, Fionnuala Collis-Kearins, Marian Egan
Concertina: Bernie Geraghty, Breda Shannon
Flute: Paul Smyth
Accordion: Tommy Doherty, Seán Hanily
Le Chéile: Cian & Caoimhe Kearins

Afternoon Classes – 2pm to 5pm
Comhrá Gaeilge: Méabh Ní Chathasaigh
Sean Nós Dancing: Ger Butler, Laura Ganley
Traditional Singing: Cian & Caoimhe Kearins
Banjo: Shane Mulchrone
Harp: Holly Geraghty
Bodhrán: Joseph McNulty
Traditional Guitar: Shane McGowan

Classes are great value at just €55 for the week for U18s and €80 for Adults. Morning and Afternoon special rates are available at €90 for U18s and €140 for Adults. Le Chéile which is a workshop for 15 to 18 year old musicians, singers and dancers at improver to advanced levels costs €70 for the week. A family discount is available for bookings of 3 or more pupils from one family.

The classes all take place in Kilmovee and an accommodation list is available from the Kilmovee FRC for any visitors who are looking for a place to stay in the area for the week. Outside of the classes, it is a week packed with free activities for anyone that would like to attend and celebrate our Irish Heritage in this historic year. 

Activities will start with Aifreann Gaeilge in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee at 10am on Sunday 3rd July. This will be followed at 2pm by a Heritage Tour which will focus on events in East Mayo pre and post the 1916 Rising. The tour will be led by Mayo historian James Reddiough and promises to provide a fascinating insight into local activities at this time, with further details available on the Summer School Website www.smgsummerschool.com. Sunday will close with a session at 9pm in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen.

In addition to classes starting on Monday 4th July, the Official Opening of the Summer School will take place with one of Ireland’s finest musicians – John Carty (& Friends) at 8pm in Kilmovee Community Centre. This will be followed by the Monthly ‘Cois Tine’ Heritage night with local and visiting musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers with a cupán tae and home baking provided.

Sessions will continue through the week with a slow session each night starting at 8pm where pupils all get a chance to participate and a full session with tutors and local musicians starting at 9.30pm.

Venues for the sessions are;

Tuesday 5th July: Duffy’s Four Way, Kilmovee
Wednesday 6th July: Shazzy Macs, Kilkelly
Thursday 7th July: Brusna Inn, Brusna

The week will conclude with the Closing Concert featuring Pupils and Tutors at 7pm on Friday Night in Kilmovee Community Centre. All events for the week are free to attend and open to the public so come along and enjoy some of the now renowned Kilmovee hospitality.

The Summer School would not be possible with the support of the sponsors who include – Mayo County Council, The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Comhaltas, IMRO, Foras na Gaeilge, Music Generation, ETB, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland. Also essential for the week is the support of all of the local sponsors who will be acknowledged during the Summer School week and in printed materials post the Summer School. Funding was also made possible by the support of local politicians including Councillors John Caulfield, Tom Connolly and Gerry Murray, Senator John O’Mahony and Dara Calleary T.D.

Primarily the Summer School is possible due to a huge voluntary effort by the people of Kilmovee so come along and enjoy one of the finest Summer Schools in the country in this unique village in East Mayo. Bígí Linn!