2018 O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat Updates

October 16, 2018 Update

Hi All,
We are days away, and the fun begins soon.  The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat is your next destination, and three days and four nights of Irish music, dance and more awaits you.  Here are few (okay, many) items to review before you head to Midlothian:

Weather Outlook
Some rain is predicted during Thursday through Saturday, and the temperatures will be cooling to the low 60s Fahrenheit which equates to fairly common Irish weather.  😊  We suggest you bring a poncho or umbrella and warm clothing.  We will have a limited supply of inexpensive ponchos for sale at the retreat booth.

Changes Due to Flooding
Several of the camp’s buildings were recently damaged from flooding and will not be repaired in time for our event.  Consequently, we have moved classes that were scheduled to be at the Chapel to the Longhorn Room in the Coffield Center.  We also are moving our check-in, retreat office and booths to the lobby of the Coffield Center.  One other change.  We have moved the bodhran classes taught by Rick Holt to the Rec Hall Gameroom.  Please note that our schedules were already printed and does not contain these changes.  However, everything on our website is now updated. See links below to our revised Site Map and Class Schedule.

Newcomer? 
If you are coming to us for the first time, please take a moment and review our NEWCOMERS page.

Arriving Early or Late?
If you are tent camping or in an RV or staying in a dorm, you can set up any time after noon on Thursday.  Keys to private rooms may not be available till later - possibly by 2 p.m. and certainly by 4 p.m. Thursday during check in.  If you plan to arrive later than 9 p.m. on Thursday and have lodging on campus, send an email to enroll@oflahertyretreat.org to get instructions for getting your key and/or finding your lodging.  If you need registration help after 9 p.m. on Thursday, call our office cell at (469) 215-1840.

Help Us Set Up or Tear Down?
If you arrive between 1-4 p.m. on Thursday and can help us set things up and/or you are around on Monday morning and can help us pack things up, we would be most appreciative.  It takes a lot of hands to get this camp up and running and, at the end, loaded up.  We love people who jump in to help! Come to the lobby in the Coffield Center.

Check-In
Check-in will be in the lobby of the Coffield Center from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday and 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

Thursday Night Texas BBQ in Longhorn Room in Coffield Center
Because expected rainfall, our Thursday night Texas BBQ dinner will be held in the Longhorn room in the Coffield Center.  Review the SITE MAP for location. The Coffield Center is near the bottom of the map.  Sessions may happen at any time before, during or after the dinner, so bring your instruments.  To our veteran attendees, if you see someone who is new to O’Flaherty’s, reach out to them, welcome them and answer any questions you can or get them to someone who can.  There’s a lot to process if you’re new.

Kick-Off Ceili in the Rec Hall
Around 8:30 p.m. after the Texas BBQ,  we invite you to go to the Rec Hall for our “Kick-Off Ceili.”  If you’d like to experience Irish music in a more moving way, you just “gotta dance.  Emily Furillo will call the dances and teach you what you need to know.  Live music is provided.  We’ll end around 11 p.m. to allow your minds and bodies to rest for the start of the classes the next morning.

Airport Shuttle
If you are using our Airport Shuttle, be sure you have provided flight information using this AIRPORT SHUTTLE form.  We can’t pick you up if we don’t know when you are coming and what flight you’re on.  We’ll need the Record Locator info.  If you did not pay for it online, you will need to do so when you arrive.

Hotel Shuttle Bus
We have a number of people who are flying in and won’t have their own transportation. For those staying at the hotel who need a ride to and from the hotel and camp, here is the SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE.  For those staying at the hotel who need a ride to and from the hotel and camp, here is the SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE.  Reminder that breakfasts are part of your hotel room reservation and they will be served in the conference room on the first floor.  The shuttle will pick up folks at 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. each morning.  If you missed catching the shuttle, call our Operations Crew at (469) 215-1840. 

Class Schedules Now Available
You can now view or download the class schedules with room assignments from our website at CLASSES.  The schedules in color and B&W are available for downloading at the top of the page.  They also will be in your packets.  Please be advised that the schedules were printed before our learning of the loss of the Chapel and Blanco room.  Those classes and workshops have been moved to the Longhorn Room in the Coffield Center and the Rec Hall Gameroom respectively. 

Stuff in General to Bring or Not

 

 

 

 

 

WiFi Available
WiFi is available throughout the camp although in some places it’s better than others. No password is required.

Massages Are Back
Heather Carmichael will offer massage therapy for our students and staff.  She has worked a lot with musicians, so be sure and sign up at her booth for a needed massage from Friday through Sunday.  By the way, we have an incredible product that will help you with musician aches – a lavender heat pack that is available at our retreat booth and especially made for our students and staff.

Keurigs at Coffield Lobby and Maverick
We will have Keurig coffee makers in the lobby of the Coffield Center and the Maverick with a selection of coffee and tea K-cups.  Please place a drink donation in the cash box to support this service. You are welcomed to bring your own Keurig K-cups to use.  If the Keurigs need water, please help us by filling them.  Also, consider bringing a reusable mug or container to help us cut down on waste and trash.

Booth Vendors
Returning as vendors to this year’s retreat will be Herb Taylor Instruments and his finely crafted mandolins, bouzoukis and guitars; Albert Alfonso and his much coveted handmade bodhrans; and Perseus Aryani and his tasty homemade drinks.  New to the retreat will be uilleann pipe maker Dirk Mewes and massage therapist Heather Carmichael.  All of the vendors will have their booths in the lobby in the Coffield Center.

Instructor Concerts Streamed Live
This year we will be streaming live all of our evening instructor concerts.  If you have friends and family who can’t make the retreat but would love to at least view our extraordinary instructor concerts for a small fee, send them this link for all of the details – CONCERTS.  Some of the most amazing music has been played on our retreat main stage, and the concerts this year will follow suit. 

Important Phone Numbers
Retreat Office: (469) 215-1840 
Courtyard at Marriott Hotel: (469) 672-8760
Airport Shuttle to and from Retreat: (214) 770-5037
Director’s cell (Ken Fleming): (214) 770-5036

Past Updates
To view previous updates, go to UPDATES. 

I think that’s all that’s left to cover, so let’s get this event going! Safe travels and see you very soon!

 

October 10, 2018 Update

Hi All,
In a week, we’ll gather at Midlothian, Texas for a musical celebration of sorts.  We have waited a year for this, so needless to say, we’re happy for the retreat to get underway finally.  Here are important items for your review, and there are more than a few:

Check Your Account
If you haven't already done so, log into your account at REGISTER to review your "My Report" to makes sure all your reservations and payments are accurately recorded. If you owe money, please pay immediately - preferably by PayPal since there isn't likely time to process a check before the retreat.  The registrar gets surly when he has to handle payments at check-in. 😊
   
Schedules Are Now Uploaded
We have uploaded our final class schedules that also include room assignments for all of the classes, workshops and sessions.  There will be color and black and white versions for printing at the top of the CLASSES page.  You will receive a B&W printed schedule and site map in your packets.  See SITE MAP for locations of the classrooms.  Please note the new format of the schedules.  Now you won’t need a magnifying glass to read them.

Check-In
Check-in will be at the Chapel from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday morning.  If you can only arrive on Saturday morning, first go to dining hall between 8-9 a.m. and find one of our managers or go to our booth in the Chapel after 9 a.m.

Chapel
This is where everyone will check in.  It’s also the place where will have our retreat office, retreat store and other booths.  It will be where the evening concerts will be held.  There is plenty of parking by the Chapel.  See SITE MAP.  By the way, we will also be using the Chapel for classes so the vendor booths will be open during breaks, meal times and the instructor concerts.

Arriving Early or Late?
If you are tent camping or in an RV or staying in a dorm, you can set up any time after noon on Thursday.  Keys to private rooms may not be available till later - possibly by 2 p.m. and certainly by 4 p.m. Thursday during check in.  If you plan to arrive later than 9 p.m. on Thursday, send an email to enroll@oflahertyretreat.org to get instructions for getting your key and/or finding your lodging.  If you need registration help after 9 p.m. on Thursday, call our office cell at (469) 215-1840.

Shuttle to and from DFW Airport
If you intend to use the airport shuttle, you must follow the steps at SHUTTLE as soon as possible.  After airport arrival, when you get to the baggage area, call our airport shuttle dispatcher Katie Duncan at (214) 770-5037. 

Shuttle to and from Courtyard at Marriott
If you need a ride to and from the Courtyard at Marriott, we will have a shuttle.  If you miss your ride, ask others at the hotel who may be able to give you a lift.   Here is the Hotel Shuttle Bus Schedule::

Thursday Night
6 p.m. -- Hotel to Camp Hoblitzelle
10:30 p.m. -- Camp Hoblitzelle to Hotel

Friday-Sunday
8 a.m. -- Hotel to Camp Hoblitzelle
8:45 a.m. -- Hotel to Camp Hoblitzelle

12:45 p.m. -- Camp Hoblitzelle to Hotel
3:30 p.m. -- Camp Hoblitzelle to Hotel

5 p.m. -- Hotel to Camp Hoblitzelle
6:30 p.m. -- Hotel to Camp Hoblitzelle
10:30 p.m. (or after Instructor Concerts) -- Camp Hoblitzelle to Hotel

The shuttle bus will drop off and pick up at the Texas Pavilion. Look for the Shuttle Bus sign. As you face the front of the facility, it will be on the left . For a copy of the shuttle schedule as a PDF, go to SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE. While we will not charge for this service this year, we encourage you to give a donation at our booth in the Chapel to help us offset the costs.

BBQ Dinner, Food Competitions and Kick Off Ceili
Thursday dinner will be our traditional Texas BBQ at the Texas Pavilion beginning at 7 p.m. followed by a dessert and soda bread competition and s’mores in the pit.  Afterwards at 8:30 p.m., we will have a “Kick Off Ceili” in the Rec Hall and sessions (see schedule) at select rooms on campus.  For a flyer detailing the Thursday night activities, go to WELCOME. 

What Else to Bring

WiFi Available
WiFi is available throughout the camp although in some places it’s better than others.  No password is required.

Camp Hotel and Dorm Dwellers Take Note
For those in who have rooms in the camp hotels or cottages, you will have towels provided, but they will not be refreshed daily, so if you need fresh towels, we encourage you to bring extras.  If you are sleeping in a dorm or dorm counselors room, remember to bring your own linens (sheets, blankets, towels, ectc.), pillow and toiletries.  And maybe some ear plugs just in case. 

RVers and Tenters
  RV and tent slots must be prepaid but are not assigned.  Please pick your site when you arrive.  You may arrive after noon on Thursday and must be gone by 10 a.m. on Monday.  You may use showers and restrooms in the Men's dorm (Dorm 1) and the Women's dorm (Dorm 2).  Some of the RV sites only have 50 amp pugs. It is recommended you bring an adapter if you need a 30 amp plug.

Change of Classes
On a number of instruments, we offer “basic” classes and classes that are geared towards intermediate and advanced level students.  If you find yourself in the wrong classes, let us know and we can make a switch if there is room in the classes you want.  We have told our instructors to help coach you in one direction or the other if you are too challenged or not challenged enough.   We want you to be in the right class that fits your abilities, but it is up to you to make the switch if offered.

Student-Led Worship Service Sunday
There will be a 30-minute Christian worship service at the Compton Hall from 8:30-9 a.m. on Sunday morning.  Have breakfast and coffee at 8 a.m. and still make the service which is very close to the dining hall.

Weather
It looks as if it may be on the cool side during the day with highs in the upper 60s (20-22c) and lows in the low 50s (10-12c) during the evenings.  Light rain in the forecast.  For those of us who just endured a hot summer in Texas, those temperatures seem like perfect weather for a music camp.  However, our weather is unpredictable this time of year, so be sure and check WEATHER.COM for the latest forecasts as the retreat approaches.  In the search bar, enter the zip code “76065” or “Midlothian, TX.”

Flu and Cold Season
We urge people not to share windblown instruments, as well as being mindful of hand sanitation and sanitation in general while at the retreat.  We want you at the retreat, but if you’re real sick, please stay home.

Past Updates
To review all of the updates we have emailed to our students, go to UPDATES.

Phone Numbers
Retreat Office Cell: (469) 215-1840 
Camp Hoblitzelle (Camp Switchboard): (972) 723-2387
Courtyard at Marriott: (469) 672-8760
Airport Shuttle to and from Retreat: (214) 770-5036
Director’s cell (Ken Fleming): (214) 770-5036

There will likely be a few more last minute updates, so be looking for them.  Changes can happen even this close to the retreat.  We look forward to seeing you in a week.  Are you ready?  I believe we are.

 

October 3rd Update

Hi All,
We are two weeks away!  We’re at full throttle heading to this year’s O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, and we’re pumped.  Here are some important items for your review:

Payments Due and Please Check Your Selections
Please take care of your balances due, if any, as soon as possible before the retreat.  To get to the log in window, there is a button on the left side of our homepage (www.oflahertyretreat.org) called “MY ACCOUNT LOGIN”.  You can also go to from HERE.  It’s a good idea that you check all of your selections for classes, meals, lodging, shuttle, etc.  Some of these items may not be available when you arrive at the camp if you failed to correctly select them ahead of time.  For example, we have to finalize our meal numbers very soon.  You may not be able to order extra meals at the retreat.  If have problems, contact us at enroll@oflahertyretreat.org.

First Time Students?
If you are new to our music camp, please visit our NEWCOMERS page.  It will give helpful information about what to expect.

Meal Menu
Here are our meals for the retreat – MENU.  Please note – This Friday, Oct. 5th is the deadline for ordering the Thursday BBQ dinner.  PLEASE ORDER YOUR BBQ DINNER MEAL ASAP!!!!!!!  We will not be able to sell more after THIS FRIDAY!  For all other meals, the deadline is this coming Wednesday, Oct. 10th.

Shuttle Service from Hotel to Camp
We have hired a bus to take students and instructors to and from the Courtyard by Marriott Midlothian Conference Center to Camp Hoblitzelle.  We have decided not to charge for this service this year, however, we would appreciate donations to help us cover the cost.  Please give your donation to the booth in the Chapel.  Here is the camp shuttle SCHEDULE.

Signed Release Required by Hoblitzelle
Beginning last year, every participant is required by Camp Hoblitzelle to sign a release.  Here is the FORM for your review.  You do not need to print it off because we will have a signature form at check-in that you can sign indicating your acceptance of it.

Music Posted for Retreat Tunes Played Slowly and Some Classes
We have uploaded the music for the Retreat Tunes Played Slowing workshop at TUNES.  You are encouraged to learn the tunes in advance so that you can play the tunes in one or both workshops on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 3:45-5:15 p.m.  Be sure and signup!  Also, some of our instructors have music uploaded that you can download for your class.  You can check this by logging on to your online account, go to “Registration” tab, and click on the “File Downloads” on the left.  If there are any documents, you should see them in the window for you to select.

Thursday Night Texas BBQ Dinner, Sessions and Kick-Off Ceili
We will have our Texas BBQ Dinner on Thursday night in the Texas Pavilion if the weather is good.  The meal begins at 7 p.m. sharp.  PLEASE ORDER YOUR BBQ DINNER MEAL ASAP!!!!!!!  We will not be able to sell more after THIS FRIDAY!  Go to your account and select it in the Meals section.  Sessions will happen at the Pavilion and at the Maverick and Jim Bowie.  Please do not use any other facilities on Thursday night as we have not rented them.  Around 8:30 p.m., we will have our Kick-Off Ceili at the Rec Hall. 

Dessert Contest after BBQ Dinner
After the BBQ dinner, we’ll have a dessert contest.  No entry fees, but there will be prizes.  Register your entry with Louvain Guiomard at the Pavilion before dinner.  You must provide a dessert name and a list of your ingredients.  Winner will be recognized as this year’s “Most Tasty Retreat Treat.”

Online Enrollment Ends on Oct. 13th
If you have friends and family who would enjoy three days of Irish music at a scenic place with plenty of lessons, concerts, ceilis, sessions, and good times, it’s still not too late to sign up.  There are openings in most classes.  At the bottom of this email is a blurb you can copy and paste and send out to prospective students.  After October 13th, contact us at enroll@oflahertyretreat.org to register. 

Join Our Facebook Group
We have a Facebook “group” page where you can connect with our students, instructors and staff. Here is a link to it – RETREAT GROUP.  If you are coming for the first time, there a lot of veteran students and staff present who can answer your questions or help in other ways.

EXTRAS – Check It Out!
There is a lot of important information on this webpage on our site - EXTRAS.  For maps, directions, meal menu, fliers, schedules, etc.  You may save yourself a lot of time roaming the website by looking here first.

Previous Updates
If you would like to see a previous student update, go to UPDATES. 

Word about Alcohol
The camp is operated by the Salvation Army, and if you know anything about its history, this should be no surprise – no alcohol is permitted to be consumed at Camp Hoblitzelle.  If they catch you consuming it or carrying it on campus, they will require us to invite you to leave without a refund of any camp meals or lodging that you have purchased.  There is a bar at the Courtyard Marriott, so if alcohol is something you want to have, please go to the hotel.  Please understand that our compliance of this policy factors into whether or not we get to keep our event at this wonderful camp in future years.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Máirtín O’Connor Band in Concert Oct. 17th
It is a rare opportunity to hear three of Ireland’s most talented performers in concert -- Cathal Hayden on fiddle and banjo, Seamie O’Dowd on guitar and vocals, and Máirtín O’Connor on button accordion -- and because they are teaching at this year’s O’Flaherty Retreat, they are arriving early to perform in concert before the retreat on Wednesday, Oct. 17th beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Shigeru Kawai Concert Hall located at the address 601 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75075.  We expect this to be an amazing concert, and although you’ll get to hear them for a set at the retreat, you’ll get to enjoy them for a couple of hours at the concert.  For information on the concert and to buy tickets, go to CONCERT.  There will only be 200 seats sold, so get yours ASAP while there are still seats available.

Thanks to Our Donors
As many of you know, tuition does not cover our costs.  For that to occur, we would need to charge another $100 or so.  To keep tuition low, we depend on the generosity of individuals, organizations and companies.  To learn how you can help us, please go to SUPPORT.  Thanks to all who have donated!  Here is the list so far for 2018:

2018 MAJOR SPONSORS
Trinity Hall Pub & Restaurant
Southwest Celtic Music Association
Mark Kenneth

2018 KEY SPONSORS
Fiddler's Green Music Shop

2018 CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Catherine Koehler, Therese Honey & Larry Mallette, Susan & Robert Canterbury, Mike Martin

2018 RETREAT PARTNERS
Bob Moore, Susie Nagel, Brian Shaw, Jim Langley, Jill Shipman, Ann Delahanty, Herb Taylor, Jay Sewell, Linda Rae, Tom McArdle, Lisa & Paul Dryer

That’s about all for now.  I will send out a few more updates before the retreat, so please read them as they arrive in your inbox.  We are happy that you are coming, and we want this to be a grand experience for you all.  If you have any questions, please give me a call or reply to this email.

September 25th Update

Hi All,
Where did the summer go? Things are picking up speed heading to this year’s O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat and we’re getting excited. Here are some important items for your review:

Check Your Account
Please review your Account Report on the “My Report” tab to be sure you have reserved everything you wanted. This is important because some things – particularly on-campus lodging and meals – may not be able to be corrected when you arrive.  Also, check your class choices, charges and payments for any errors.

Final Payments Due Now
For those who have not paid in full as of the deadline of September 15th, the remaining balance is due.  You can use the payment portal within your online account or mail a check payable to the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, 1320 Navaho Trail, Richardson, TX 75080.  If you have problems paying, please let us know. We want to be certain that you are coming, and having your full payment is one way we can know that. 

Shuttle Service from/to DFW Airport-Camp
If you are flying into DFW Airport and would like to take the shuttle ride to and from Camp Hoblitzelle, please review the shuttle schedule and instructions at Airport Shuttle SCHEDULE and complete the online form at SHUTTLE. We only offer the shuttle during set times during the day on Thursday and Monday.  The fee is $30.00 per trip.  You will need to prepay for this service by going into the Online Store within your account.

Shuttle Service from/to Hotel-Camp
We have hired a van and driver to take students and instructors to and from the Courtyard by Marriott Midlothian Conference Center to Camp Hoblitzelle.  This year, we are just asking donations for the use of the shuttle.  Please donate at the booth in the Chapel during the instructor concerts.  Here is the Hotel Shuttle SCHEDULE.

Meals
Here is the meals MENU.

Music from Instructors?
Some of our instructors have music uploaded that you can download for your class.  You can check this by logging on to your online account, go to “Registration” tab, and click on the “File Downloads” on the left.  If there are any documents, you should see them in the window for you to select.  This is an option that not many of instructors use, but it’s worth a look.

Music Posted for Retreat Tunes Played Slowly
The music for the 2018 Retreat Tunes Played Slowly workshop is located at EXTRAS. Both sheet music and MP3s are available.  You are encouraged to learn the tunes in advance so that you can play the tunes in one or both workshops on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 3:45-5:15 p.m.  Be sure and signup!

Seamus Connolly to Receive Award
Seamus Connolly, one of Irish music‘s foremost musicians, will receive this year’s “Irish Artist in America Achievement Award” at the retreat. We will have an intimate time to chat with Seamus during a “Trad Talk.” Similar in some ways to the notable “Ted Talks,” our Trad Talks feature moderated question and answer sessions with our award recipients. We are delighted that Seamus will be joining us. You can sign up for the Trad Talk by going to your online account and selecting it for the Sunday afternoon workshop time of 3:45-5:15 p.m.

Join Our Facebook Group
We have a group on Facebook where you can go to ask questions and learn more about the retreat before, during and after. In Facebook, search for the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat public group and join it. Please use this LINK. There are two groups listed, but use the one that is associated with the link. If you have photos or video from previous retreats, please post them on our page and anywhere else you can. 

Annual O’Flaherty Retreat Benefit Saturday, September 29th in Dallas
On Saturday, Sept. 29th, beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting till midnight at the Trinity Hall Pub in Dallas, we will be hosting our annual fundraiser for the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.  Here’s the flyer – BENEFIT -- and here is our musical lineup in order of appearance:

6 p.m.    Jigsaw
7 p.m.    Skeleton McKee
8 p.m.    Plectra
9 p.m.    Behan
10 p.m.  Three Pints and a Glass
11 p.m.  Slugger’s Rule

Admission is free to all of the performances.  In addition to the music, there will a raffle for some great prizes.  We need your support, and two ways you can do that are come out to Trinity Hall Pub on Sept. 29th and eat, drink and listen to some great bands, and buy some raffle tickets.  Trinity Hall Pub donates a generous portion of their sales that night to the retreat, so the more you eat and drink, the better it is for us.  Also, if you can help us with a donated raffle item, send us an email or call us at the number at the bottom.

That’s about all for now. Things are going well, and we are expecting another great year.  Please spread the word about the retreat to the people you know who love Irish music and would like to learn to play it or play it better. We still have availability in most classes.  I have prepared a summary of the details below that you can copy and paste sections and send out. Thanks for your help!

 

2018 O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat Announced

If learning and playing traditional Irish music and spending three days in a comfortable, scenic setting being saturated with great teaching and incredible performances sound like a good idea, you might be interested in attending the 15th annual O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat that will be held October 18-21, 2018 at the Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center in Midlothian, Texas, about 30 minutes south of Dallas.  

An exceptional lineup of instructors will teach including some of the best musicians/instructors in the tradition, including Annmarie Acosta - piano accordion; Yvonne Casey - intermediate fiddle; Kathleen Conneely – whistle; Máirtín de Cógáin - set dancing; Niamh Fahy - fiddle fundamentals; Brian Conway - advanced fiddle; Marla Fibish – mandolin; Rob Forkner – bodhran; Aislinn Gagliardi – harp; Aoife Granville – flute; Cathal Hayden - tenor banjo; Rick Holt - bodhran fundamentals; Éilís Kennedy – singing; Nolan Ladewski - whistle/flute fundamentals; Brian Miller - bouzouki; Niamh Ní Charra - intermediate fiddle; Liam O'Connor - intermediate fiddle; Máirtín O'Connor - button accordion; Seamie O'Dowd – guitar; Jerry O'Sullivan - uilleann pipes; Pete Strickler - mandolin/banjo fundamentals; and Jack Talty – Anglo concertina. 

In addition to the regular classes, there will be enrichment classes and workshops that address music history, learning by ear, Gaelic language, music theory, ceili dancing, session etiquette and more.

The retreat will officially begin on Thursday night, October 18th, with a Texas BBQ dinner followed by a “Kick-Off Ceili.”  Classes start Friday morning and continue through Sunday late afternoon.  Each evening there will be concerts by instructors and mini-concerts during meals with a “farewell” concert on Sunday evening.  For the dancers, another dance called the “Lone Star Ceili” will be held on Saturday night.  Sessions will be plentiful and organized by levels with some instructor-led and others not.

A variety of lodging options on campus will be available from Thursday evening through Sunday night including cabins, motel rooms, dorm beds, tent camping and RV sites.  The official off-campus hotel this year is the new Courtyard by Marriott Midlothian Conference Center.   Meals will be offered Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast.  The retreat will offer a shuttle service to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for $30 per trip per person at select times.

Tuition is $275 for adults and $175 for youth ages 12 to 18 by invitation only.  Tuition covers up to nine 90-minute core classes, three one-hour enrichment classes and three 90-minute workshops.   Meals, lodging and shuttle service may be reserved separately.  A limited number of scholarships are available for those requiring financial assistance. 

 If you’re interested, visit the retreat’s website at  http://www.oflahertyretreat.org or call the retreat office at (469) 215-1840 or email info@oflahertyretreat.org.  Because there are caps on class sizes, early online enrollment is recommended.

The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat is produced by the Traditional Irish Music Education Society (TIMES), a 501 (c)(3) organization based in Richardson, Texas.  In addition to the retreat, TIMES also organizes the O’Flaherty Irish Music Youth Camp for youth ages 5-18, the TIMES Trad Camp, house concerts, instructional sessions and other Irish music education programs.