Masterclass Tutors
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Mixed instrumental performance masterclass. Suitable for advanced performers only, Ryan will guide participants through an arrangement with an emphasis on overall performance and exploration of musical ideas for group ensembles.
Ryan is an award-winning Irish composer, pianist, and fiddler from County Tyrone. Fusing traditional Irish music with contemporary classical styles, he has recorded on over thirty albums. Molloy serves as an Associate Professor at Maynooth University and won the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil Composer of the Year. He is a founding member of the innovative group NxNW.
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Tara Breen is an acclaimed traditional Irish fiddle player and multi-instrumentalist from County Clare. Renowned for her technical abilities and driving style, she has won multiple All-Ireland senior titles on fiddle, flute, and saxophone. Tara has toured extensively with legendary bands like The Chieftains and Stockton’s Wing, and performs widely as a soloist. She recently released her debut solo album to critical acclaim.
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Noel Hill from County Clare is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in traditional Irish music. Noel has showcased the concertina’s popularity through his virtuosic style, intricate ornamentation, and masterful recordings. A renowned instructor, Noel has performed in all continents alongside some of Irish Music’s legendary figures and has created a influential legacy within the tradition.
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Megan Nic Fhionnghaile is an award-winning fiddle player and actress from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. An Ulster Senior Fiddle Champion, she toured internationally with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and has made several appearances at various Traditional Music festivals as a tutor and performer. Megan recently made her feature film debut starring in Lance Daly’s traditional Irish music film, TRAD where she was the lead actress and performed on the soundtrack throughout.
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Jillian O’Malley is an award-winning traditional Irish flute and whistle player from Louisburgh, County Mayo. Jillian is a multiple All–Ireland champion and also won the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal (Bonn Óir) in 2020. In May 2026, she released her acclaimed debut solo album, An Bhearna Bhán, showcasing deeply researched, rare regional Mayo tunes.
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Roisín is a highly respected sean-nós dancer and teacher, from Ros Muc in Co. Galway. Róisín has been involved in traditional Irish dance from a young age and is well known for her distinctive style and strong connection to the traditions of Connemara. She was one of the first generation of female sean-nós dancers to gain widespread recognition and has performed broadly across Ireland and internationally. Her performances have included productions such as Between the Jigs and the Reels and The Well, as well as appearances at major cultural events. Through her performances and teaching, Róisín continues to help promote and preserve this important part of Irish traditional culture.
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Mike McGoldrick is one of the most highly regarded flute players and multi-instrumentalists in contemporary Irish traditional music. Born in Manchester to Irish parents, he became immersed in the city's vibrant traditional music scene and won numerous All-Ireland titles as a young musician. He went on to become a founder member of Toss the Feathers and was the first piper/flautist to win the BBC Radio Two Young Tradition Award in 1995. Mike has been a long-standing member of the acclaimed Scottish group Capercaillie and has collaborated with many leading musicians across Irish, Scottish and international music. He was named Musician of the Year at the BBC Folk Awards in 2006. Mike has released five solo albums and has collaborated with many of the worlds leading artists including several tours with Mark Knopfler.
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Conor Connolly is an acclaimed button accordion player, pianist and singer from Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. Growing up in an area steeped in traditional music, Conor developed a distinctive musical style influenced by some of Ireland's great accordionists, pipers and traditional musicians. He was awarded TG4 Young Musician of the Year in 2019, recognising his exceptional talent and contribution to Irish traditional music. Conor has performed and toured extensively in Ireland and internationally and is a regular tutor at traditional music festivals and summer schools. His playing draws on both the rich local tradition of Galway and the recordings and styles of earlier generations, while bringing his own highly individual approach to the music.
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Pádraig Rynne from Co. Clare, is one of Ireland's leading concertina players, as well as an accomplished composer, producer and sound engineer. Immersed in traditional music from a young age, Pádraig won five All-Ireland solo concertina titles before the age of 17. His career has seen him perform and record extensively, while continually exploring new possibilities within Irish traditional music. He has been a founding member of groups including Guidewires, Triad, Breen | Rynne | Murray and NOTIFY, blending traditional music with influences from jazz, electronic, world and contemporary music. Alongside his performance career, Pádraig is deeply committed to music education and has served as Music Development Officer with Music Generation Clare.
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Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning harpist, multi-instrumentalist and composer from Swinford, Co. Mayo. A passionate student of the Irish harping tradition, she began learning the harp at the age of 11 and has developed a distinctive musical voice combining traditional Irish melodies with influences from Appalachian folk and jazz. Her debut album, Shapeshifter, was released in 2025 to widespread critical acclaim and she was awarded Best Folk Instrumentalist at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards. Alannah is also a founding member of the acclaimed trio Alfi, whose music explores Irish and Appalachian traditions. Through her performances, compositions and collaborations, she continues to bring the Irish harp tradition into exciting contemporary settings.
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Pádraic Keane is an acclaimed uileann piper from Maree, Co. Galway, who comes from a distinguished musical family. He began learning the pipes at the age of eight and has developed a style rooted in the great piping tradition while embracing his own contemporary musical voice. In 2011, Pádraic was awarded TG4 Young Musician of the Year in recognition of his exceptional musicianship. He has performed extensively in Ireland, Europe and the United States, including as a soloist with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and has collaborated with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and ConTempo Quartet. He is also an experienced tutor and released his acclaimed debut solo album, In Full Tune.
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Elaine O’Reilly is an accomplished traditional Irish banjo player in high demand by summer schools and festivals across Ireland. She has performed and taught at some of Ireland's best-known festivals including the Willie Clancy Summer School. Elaine's playing is rooted in a strong traditional style. She recently released her debut solo album alongside a duo album with accordionist Daithí Gormley and has performed overseas on many occasions.
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This workshop will help intermediate learners expand their repertoire with tunes that are commonly played in sessions throughout the country. Open to all melody instruments.
David Doocey is an award-winning fiddle player from Co. Mayo. He has won numerous All-Ireland medals on both fiddle and concertina, as well as the prestigious World Fleadh Fiddle Championship in 2005 and the Fiddler of Oriel trophy. David has performed and recorded with many internationally renowned musicians and has appeared on stages with artists including Michael McGoldrick, Tim O'Brien, Martin Hayes, Seán Keane, Sharon Shannon and Dermot Byrne. A regular performer and tutor, David is also a member of the acclaimed traditional groups NxNW & The Ox Mountain Quartet.
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Máire Ní Churraoin is a sean-nós singer, native Irish speaker, artistic researcher and television presenter with a deep passion for the Irish language and traditional song. Originally from the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht in Co. Meath, Máire has dedicated much of her artistic work to the sean-nós singing tradition. She holds degrees in Irish and Theology and completed a master's degree in Irish and the performing arts, undertaking artistic research into sean-nós singing through performance. Máire has also worked as a creator of Irish-language content and was an ambassador for Ealaín na Gaeltachta's Culture Night programme in 2022. Her work combines performance, research and education, helping to celebrate and promote Irish-language & traditional song.
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This hour long class will cater for participants with additional needs in a calm and relaxed environment exploring musical ideas, multi–sensory engagement and practical guidance on a range of instruments.
Máire Nic Dhiarmada is a traditional flute player from Co. Sligo with a strong passion for music, education and inclusion. She is a member of the All-Ireland winning Innisfree Céilí Band and has a deep connection to Irish traditional music. Alongside her music, Máire works as a primary school teacher in Co. Roscommon, supporting children with additional needs. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Music and Special Needs from the University of Roehampton in London. Máire also teaches flute and leads an inclusion music class with CCÉ Cnoc na Ré in Sligo, helping to encourage and develop a love of music within her local community.