THE 15th Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance takes place in the Irish World Academy at UL from Monday June 20 to Friday July 1. Founded by the academy’s Prof. Mícheál O Súilleabháin, Blas attracts students aged 16 years or more from around the world for one-to-one access to the expertise of a ‘who’s who’ of Ireland’s traditional musicians, singers and dancers.
Blas’ panel of tutors includes Martin Hayes, Paul Brady, Ó Súilleabháin, Dónal Lunny, fiddlers John Carty and Siobhán Peoples, singers Karen Casey and Séamus Begley, dancers Breándán de Gallaí, Michael Ryan and many more.
“Blas is aimed at musicians, singers and dancers who are already familiar with the Irish traditions and who wish to extend their technique, repertoire and knowledge,” explains PRO Ellen Byrne. “It also attracts many performers from other genres who find it beneficial to study at the summer school as a form of induction to the Irish traditions”.
Public concerts taking place during Blas include Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing together on Wednesday June 22 and Dónal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Séamus Begley and guests on Thursday June 30. See www.blas.ie for the programme of what’s on, when and with whom.
