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.

A founding member of Irish supergroup Dervish, Brian McDonagh hails from Dublin. He previously performed with 1970s traditional group, Oisín before moving to Sligo in the 1980s and founding Dervish, a band whom he has performed extensively with across the world. Brian is also an established painter and names many of his paintings after traditional Irish songs such as, an Sean Bhean Bocht and Spalpin Fanach. 

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.