Monday 28th July - Friday 1 August 2025 | 10am – 1pm | Ulster University, York Street, BT15 1ED

We have a fantastic Summer School accommodation offer starting at only £349 for 7 nights in Belfast City Centre, click here to find out more.

Born in London, banjo and fiddle player John Carty is one of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians which was firmly established when he was awarded the coveted title of TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003 and the Michael A. Flanagan Award in 2019. John has recorded extensively and performs worldwide both as a solo player, in duets notably with Matt Molloy and as part of John Carty’s Festival Band, At the Racket and Patrick Street. His latest album releases include, ‘At Complete Ease’ with Michael McGoldrick and ‘The Wavy Bow Collection’ with his son, James on fiddle. More recently John arranged the traditional music pieces in the highly acclaimed film ‘Brooklyn’ and appeared in ‘The Banshees of Inisheerin’.  

Having started playing the banjo at a young age, George McAdam has won numerous junior and senior All-Ireland titles. George is a highly sought-after performer, recording artist and tutor throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America. He performs with the Blackwater Céilí Band and has featured as a guest artist on ‘Carlos, Sweeney, and McCartin’. Broadcast performances include TG4, RTÉ, RTÉ Radio and Na Píobairí Uilleann’s monthly Session with the Pipers.

The Summer School’s team of tutors is made up of internationally renowned performers with proven track records as teachers and educationalists. The primary means of teaching and learning will be ‘by ear’ with an emphasis in the less experienced classes of assisting pupils to develop oral/aural skills in addition to instrumental competency and developing core repertoire. All classes are designed for intermediate to advanced (minimum 2 years instrument experience) adults and children over 6 years of age except beginner instrument classes, whistle and sing, set dancing, sean nós dancing, traditional singing & sean nós singing which are suitable for all levels including beginners.