Donegal Ireland Harp Summer Schools Adult only

This course is for players over the age of 18, at all levels and abilities. Held by celebrated veteran Janet Harbison, this course focused on personal development, social playing, fun and friendship located in the town of Dungloe on the magnificent Donegall coast – and at the heart of traditional Irish community. Janet will take your musicianship, confidence, creativity and traditional music understanding to a new level – enabling you to understand how music works and leading you to develop your own tunes and arranging skills. The style of teaching is oral with everyone challenged to a comfortable level. Learning is like language – instilling all the necessary skills, confidence and fluency of a native player – always focused on the core repertoire known to musicians and harpers world-wide. With a maximum of 8 participants, everyone is assured of personal attention with workshops, lectures, concerts and sessions in the evenings, and a great trip out on Wednesday afternoon. There is lots of interaction with local musicians – Join Janet and the community of Dungloe musicians for a week to remember!

What’s included

• 5 days of Summer School training from 9.30am to 3.30pm (with 9.30am – 12.45pm on Wednesday) with lunches provided (all diets catered to) and all evening concerts, lectures and sessions (with travel where necessary!)

• Accommodation for 6 nights (from Sunday to Saturday) in twin or double ensuite bedrooms in adjacent (and fully equipped) holiday cottages. All bookings are treated as for single occupation, but you are welcome to bring a friend/partner if you wish.

Kitchens are set up with starting breakfast supplies, and all-day teas and coffees.

• A mid-week trip out to Glenveigh National Park, Arranmore Island or Mount Errigal (cost not included).

• For participants booking consecutive weeks, the in-between night’s accommodation is free.

• Harps are available to all (at an extra charge) if you don’t wish to bring your own!

• Pick-ups and drop-offs are arranged free of charge for all travelling by air or bus.

What’s not included:

• Your evening meals. As we have self-catering facilities, you may choose to eat in or out.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, we book a table at McCafferty’s Pub which is very near us and an excellent pub and restaurant. On Thursday evening, we do a ‘pot luck’ at home where all who wish can contribute to a communal evening.

• The optional Wednesday afternoon trip out to Arranmore or to Glenveigh Castle in the Glenveigh National Park. Either trip costs €30 (including bus/ferry/entrance costs).

• The Wednesday evening concert in Dungloe’s community centre (featuring all local musicians, singers and dancers) where a ‘contribution’ to cover the interval refreshments is requested (€5 expected)

Workshops 5–6pm: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday “On Aspects of Play”

Evenings (8.30pm)

Monday: Concert – Recital with Janet: ‘4 centuries of Irish harp’

Tuesday: Workshop – Introduction to ‘The Session’ with guest musician

Wednesday: Concert – Local ‘Seisiún’ concert in the ‘Ionad’ (Dungloe Library) €5

Thursday: Concert – Templecrone Church featuring ‘Janet and Friends’

Friday: Session – Trip to Seisiún at Hiúdí Beag’s in Bunbeg