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A Week at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy

October 3, 2024

Katya and the iconic Willie Clancy statue, Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.
Katya and the iconic Willie Clancy statue, Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.

Center for Irish Music student Katya Roberts shares her experience attending the 2024 Willie Clancy Week in Miltown Malbay with her family.

by Katya Roberts

This July I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Willie Clancy festival and summer school in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland. I am so thankful for this experience and its lasting memories. The small, charming town had traditional Irish tunes bursting from all of its nooks and crannies. As I walked the busy Main Street, lively trad music was everywhere, both outside on sidewalks and inside from sessions. It was a beautiful sound that felt like home. 

Throughout the week I saw so many familiar faces. On our long drive from Dublin to Miltown, my family and I stopped at a gas station at the Barack Obama Plaza in County Tipperary, where we were surprised to run into Mike, Joe, and Julia DeGeorgeo!  In Miltown, I saw a few friends from the States including Sky Kelsey and Kira Doppel in addition to some fellow Minnesotans. I enjoyed seeing other former Minnesota Irish Music weekend artists such the accomplished accordion player Conor Connolly and the talented Kane sisters as well, all glammed up as usual. I also was happy to encounter the brilliant Dáithí Sproule at a fiddle recital in Miltown.

Katya with the legendary Harry Bradley (2012 Minnesota Irish Music Weekend artist), her Irish flute tutor for the week at The Willie Clancy Summer School.
Katya with the legendary Harry Bradley (2012 Minnesota Irish Music Weekend artist), her Irish flute tutor for the week at The Willie Clancy Summer School.
Whistle playing in Miltown with the DeGeorgeo’s.
Whistle playing in Miltown with the DeGeorgeo’s.

As I wandered the streets for sessions, this wonderful flute playing caught my attention. I followed the sound indoors and recognized that it was John Wynne. I will never forget the feeling of walking the streets and encountering greats such as Wynne, Frankie Gavin, Mary Coogan, the Friel sisters, Louise Mulcahy, John McEvoy, Zoe Conway, and Oisín Mac Diarmada. But most of all, my best memory is meeting my incredible flute teacher, Catherine McEvoy. It was wonderful to finally meet my biggest inspiration in-person.

Among my favorite memories were the traditional Irish music sessions. I have always enjoyed sessions, but this trip I fell in love with them. The first night I went to a teen session. It had this crazy, contagious energy that sparks this fire in you, and it was unimaginable. It was so cool to connect with these unbelievable musicians who were my age and were all so kind and all loved the music as much as I did. I went to other memorable and lively sessions, including one with a piper, Darragh McCarthy. I loved playing my flute with these people from across the world whom I had only known online. On the last night, my friend Cathal and I discovered a fun session at Friel's with Sky Kelsey, Sean Lyons, and Eoin Ó Briain. 

Historic Friels, Main Street, Miltown Malbay.
Historic Friels, Main Street, Miltown Malbay.
An outdoor session in Miltown.
An outdoor session in Miltown.
The Obama Plaza gas station in County Tipperary, where Katya unexpectedly met the DeGeorgeo family from Minnesota!
The Obama Plaza gas station in County Tipperary, where Katya unexpectedly met the DeGeorgeo family from Minnesota!

I learned the most from the classes. I took a week-long Irish flute class taught by the unbelievable flute player, Harry Bradley. He taught us many powerful tunes with his signature rhythm, drive, and tone. His style was so different, but one I hope to incorporate into my playing. He had each person in the class play a tune, and if others knew it, they would play along. It was crazy-exciting for me when one person played the Moving Cloud, and everyone knew it and joined. I have not met very many people who know that reel, one of my favorites. 

Session with Sky Kelsey (2022 MIM artist) and Cathal.
Session with Sky Kelsey (2022 MIM artist) and Cathal.

I also attended several tutor recitals. I went to the flute/whistle recital and heard so many stunning musicians, including Catherine McEvoy, John Wynne, Fintan Vallely, Harry Bradley, Éamon Cotter, Marcas Ó Murchú, Seamus Noonan, and Aoife Granville. I also watched the Uilleann Pipes Recital which included wonderful musicians and several sets of historic pipes.  Some of these grand pipers were Kathleen Cavanagh, Brian McNamara, Sorcha Ní Scolaí, Peter Browne, and Louise Mulcahy, who played Liam O’Flynn’s pipes. Mikie Smyth performed on pipes made in the early 1800’s that belonged to Tommy Reck. It was an unbelievable moment to hear those historic pipes.

To be in the midst of such musicians was unforgettable. It's always inspiring to see these musicians perform, but being alongside them in this setting within the larger Irish music community was a unique and transformative experience. 

CIM instructors Dáithí Sproule and Hannah Flowers also enjoyed the abundant sessions, concerts, and endless craic at Willie Clancy Week. Thanks to Dáithí and Hannah for sharing the photos below!

A session in Friel's with John Kelly Junior facing us (2010 Harvest Home visiting artist) and flute-player PJ Howell to his left. Both of these musicians frequented the old Four Seasons on Capel Street in Dublin, led by John Kelly Senior, with Dáithí Sproule, James Kelly and Paddy O'Brien and others. Fiddler Martin Dowling is playing fiddle in the center of the session. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
A session in Friel's with John Kelly Junior facing us (2010 Harvest Home visiting artist) and flute-player PJ Howell to his left. Both of these musicians frequented the old Four Seasons on Capel Street in Dublin, led by John Kelly Senior, with Dáithí Sproule, James Kelly and Paddy O'Brien and others. Fiddler Martin Dowling is playing fiddle in the center of the session. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
From left to right: Mike DeGeorgeo (whistle player and CIM alumnus parent of fiddler Joe DeGeorgeo who was off playing at session), Martin Dowling (fiddler, brother of CIM instructor Jode Dowling), Dáithí Sproule, Macdara Ó Faoláin, and Victoria Pierce catching up over a pint. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
From left to right: Mike DeGeorgeo (whistle player and CIM alumnus parent of fiddler Joe DeGeorgeo who was off playing at session), Martin Dowling (fiddler, brother of CIM instructor Jode Dowling), Dáithí Sproule, Macdara Ó Faoláin, and Victoria Pierce catching up over a pint. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
A gathering of friends. From left to right: Hannah Flowers (CIM harp & ensemble instructor), Hannah Collins, Chris Dowling and Dáithí Sproule (CIM instructor). Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
A gathering of friends. From left to right: Hannah Flowers (CIM harp & ensemble instructor), Hannah Collins, Chris Dowling and Dáithí Sproule (CIM instructor). Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
CIM alumnus Victoria Pierce (pictured) and her partner Macdara Ó Faoláin set up shop during the festival to showcase Macdara's hand-crafted bouzoukis. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
CIM alumnus Victoria Pierce (pictured) and her partner Macdara Ó Faoláin set up shop during the festival to showcase Macdara's hand-crafted bouzoukis. Photo courtesy of Dáithí Sproule
Hannah Flowers attended this gorgeous daytime session at Hennessy's bar. Can you spot her in her cool shades? Photo courtesy of Hannah Flowers
Hannah Flowers attended this gorgeous daytime session at Hennessy's bar. Can you spot her in her cool shades? Photo courtesy of Hannah Flowers