The Master's Hand
Scoil Éigse Success Story
The Scoil Éigse has been one of the success stories of Comhaltas. Launched 28 years ago, this summer college of Irish traditional music, song, dance and language was founded with the purpose of affording young and not so young students the opportunity of benefiting from the masters’ advice and expertise.
The Scoil Éigse is held each year in the week preceding Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. It is an ideal opportunity for student performers to learn styles and techniques from the more accomplished and acknowledged exponents of Irish traditional music. Many of today’s leading musicians and singers point to the Scoil Éigse as a turning point in their musical careers. Up to 600 students participate in the event each year - many of these having secured scholarships at the provincial Fleadhanna Cheoil.
The quality of the tuition available at the Scoil Éigse can be gleaned from the following list of tutors who have so generously shared their skills with students at the Scoil Éigse each year: Michael O’Brien, Padraig Ó Riain, Kathleen Nesbitt, Michael Tubridy, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Joe Burke, Nicky McAuliffe, Máire Govers, Paddy Tunney, Joe and Siobhán O’Donovan, Sean Keane, Sean óg Ó Tuama, Micheal Ó hAlmhain, Padraig Ó Glacáin, Tomas Ó Canainn, Dónal Ó Domhnall, Sean O’Dwyer, Domhnall de Barra, Nollaig Ní Chathasaigh, Noel Hill, Gay McKeon, Éamonn Coyne, Sean McMahon, Patricia Daly, Eoin Ó Cionnaigh, Cathal Ó Lionnáin, Conall Ó Grada, Ciaran Burns, Syd Cassidy, Janet Harbison, Michelle O’Sullivan, Seamus Ó Baoill, Seán Mac Diarmada, Clement Mac Suibhne, John Tunney, Attracta Brady, PJ Hernon, Colette O’Leary, Eimear Ní Bhroin, Sheila O’Dowd, Fidelma O’Brien, Cathal Hickey, Alan Kelly, Carmel Gunning, Micheal Ó Rathallaigh, Brian McGrath, Vincent Harrison, Gerry McNulty, Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, Brian McNamara, Martin Hayes, Séamus Mac Mathúna, Denis Liddy, Bobby Gardiner, Garry Shannon, Anne McAuliffe, Bernie Coneely, Martin Power, Caroline Murphy, Bríd Meaney, Thomas Martin, Julie Anne Desmond, Niamh Nic Mhathúna, Geraldine McNulty, Colette McNulty, Brendan McGlinchy, Daire O’Neill, Clarie Keville, Marcus Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Tim Collins, CoIm O’Donnell, Áine Nic Chraith, John Regan, John McMorrow, Gearóid Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Micheal Ó Runaí, Sadie Mulqueen, Paddy Berry, Damien Mollow, Aoife O’Connor, Ned Kelly, June McCormack, Mary Crowley, Joe Doyle, Pat Bass, Orfhlaith Uí Bhriain, Eileen Curtin, Pádraig Mac an Ultaigh, Liz Kane, Brenda McCann, Éamonn Doorley, Claire Burke, Thomas Doorley, John O’Brien, Laurence Nugent, Éamonn Galdubh, Gráinne Hambly, Páidie O’Connor, Michael Tennyson, Eoghan Ó Súilleabhain, Philip Enright, Garry McMahon, Karen Walshe, Oisín Mac Diarmada, John McHugh, Michael Hurley, Brian Friel, Padraig Rynne, Martin McCormack, Áine Heneghan, Séamus Ó Dubhthaigh, Jim Kelly, Tom Doherty, Michelle McNulty, Troy Bannon, Angela Deane-Masterson, Hugh Healy, Sheelagh Sammon, Aoife McDermott, Bernadette Connaughton, Siobhan Uí Chonaráin, Mary Grannell, Majella Bartley, Fiona Butler, Liz King, Brian Fitzgerald, Michael Smyth, Pádraig Butler, Dan O Mahony, Colm Regan, Tríona O’Neill, Yvonne Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and Aoife Ni Ghrainbhil.
