The twentieth annual Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance was launched by Professor Mel Mercier at the Irish World Academy UL this week and continues until July 1st.
Students from as far afield as South Korea, Israel, Argentina, Mexico and Japan are attending the summer school to learn Irish traditional music, song and dance from some of Ireland’s best-known exponents, including Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Martin Hayes, Mairtín O Connor, Dónal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Altan and Colin Dunne and many more.
Apart from master-classes, Blas students can expect a whole range of activities including lectures on Irish Traditional music topics, field-trips, sessions, Irish Language classes, lunchtime and evening concerts, céilís, and above all, the opportunity to share tunes with some of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians.
A number of public events will take place throughout the summer school, based at the Irish World Academy on the University campus. On Sunday 26th June, The Blas 20th Anniversary Gala Concert takes place at the University Concert Hall Limerick, featuring past and current Blas tutors. A series of free lunchtime concerts will also run daily at 1.15pm from Tuesday today (Tuesday) to Thursday 30th June.
