The 9th annual Dublin Irish Festival Academy is returning this summer as a warm-up to the Festival. A variety of classes will be offered that highlight Irish music and culture.

• Academy classes will be held on Friday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an hour break for lunch.
• Classes will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin
• All students must be 12 years of age or older to participate in Academy classes
• Classes range from $50-$60 per person, and include a one-day Festival admission ticket ($10 value)
• Class space is limited; students will be notified if class is full
• We reserve the right to cancel a class if there is not a minimum registration number

Registration is not currently available, but will open in March. More classes will be added – check back for updates.

Fiddle (Intermediate/Advanced Level)
Instructor: Eileen Ivers
Class fee: $60

Eileen Ivers will change the way you think about the violin.

Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston Pops, original musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Sting, Hall and Oates, Randy Brecker, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, Grammy awarded musician, movie soundtracks including Gangs of New York, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide…this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours, and affiliations. Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

Singing Workshop

Instructor: Niamh Parsons
Class fee: $60

Niamh Parsons has come to be known as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music. Her voice has drawn comparisons to such venerated singers as Dolores Keane, June Tabor and Sandy Denny. The great Scottish balladeer Archie Fisher said of Niamh, “a songstress like her comes along once or twice in a generation.”

Throughout her career, Niamh has performed with a wide variety of artists, and has appeared at nearly every prestigious folk festival on either side of the Atlantic –including of course DIF.

Intro to Bodhran

Instructor: Michael Vignoles
Class fee: $50

Have you ever wondered how to play the bodhran?  Michael Vignoles from Galway, Ireland teaches this traditional heartbeat of all Irish music.  Michael is also known internationally as an instrument maker. For more than 20 years, he has made bodhrans and uilleann pipes from his Galway City shop.  Bodhrans will be provided for this class or you can purchase one from Michael.