A variety of topics related to Irish music including music history, heritage and culture will be featured at the O’Flaherty Retreat. Our lectures serve to provide a context for Irish music as we strengthen our ties to this tradition. See Schedule (PDF or Mobile-Friendly) for the times and days of these activities.
An Exploration of the East Clare Style of Irish Music: Looking back, Moving Forward – Sorcha Costello
Fiddle player Sorcha Costello undertook a short research project in the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) exploring the archival material relating to the musical style of her local area of East Clare. This lecture will include an exploration of material researched by Sorcha during this time, using audio samples from the archive to demonstrate the beauty of East Clare music. In reflection to her time spent listening and deepening her knowledge of the East Clare style, Sorcha has composed new music to compliment, respect and reflect on the older East Clare style while also keeping a contemporary and progressive stance. Sorcha will perform some of these compositions live during the lecture along side some of the old tunes from the tradition. This lecture aims to show the importance of looking back, learning from and respecting those who passed the music on to us while also actively keeping the tradition alive, vibrant and relevant in todays world of Irish music.
Building Up and Tearing England Down: Songs of the Irish Navvies in England – Shane Farrell
This lecture explores the songs of the Irish navvies in England — labourers who helped build modern Britain while leaving behind a powerful body of songs about work, exile, humour, hardship, and pride. Combining live singing, guitar, and storytelling with historical context, this lecture looks at how music captured the lives of Irish migrant building workers in England and preserved a world of labour, loneliness, camaraderie, and survival.
Ireland – Land of Legends: Where Every Stone Has a Story to Tell – Máirtín de Cógáin
Join Mairtín de Cógáin as he brings Ireland’s greatest legends to life and guides you to the real places where myth, history, and landscape still meet today.
Music Festivals in Ireland – Andy Balinsky
So, you want to go to a festival or music camp in Ireland? Where do you start? There are big ones (Willie Clancy Week, the Fleadh Cheoil, Belfast TradFest) and regional ones (Feakle, Masters of Tradition), and even instrument-specific ones (Flute Cruinniu, Irish Concertina Weeks). This lecture will cover a sampling of Irish festivals, including what to expect, what sessions you might find before, during, and after the festivals, and some recommendations.
Music of Paddy O’Brien – Matthew Mancuso
This workshop explores the tunes and legacy of Paddy O’Brien of Tipperary. Mattie Mancuso discusses O’Brien’s significant contributions to the tradition, specifically his extensive repertoire and the influence of his compositions on the music.
North Connacht Repertoire – Aileen Bourke
This workshop focuses on learning common repertoire from North Connacht. Aileen Bourke teaches compositions by musicians from Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim, including Charlie Lennon, Joe Carey, and Stephen Doherty. The workshop also highlights stylistic traits specifically associated with these regions.
The History of the Concertina – Catrióna Fee
This lecture explores the history of the concertina, particularly its title as the bean chairdín or the “women’s accordion.” We will discuss the many women who shaped the instrument and the important part they played in popularizing it within Irish music.
The Impact of John McKenna’s and Tom Morrison’s Music on the Irish and American Traditions – John Wynne
This lecture will examine the recordings of John McKenna and Tom Morrison, highlighting their profound influence on the Irish and American musical traditions. The lecture will explore the legacy of their music and its lasting impact on audiences and performers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Irish Travellers’ Influence in Traditional Irish Music – Angela Botzer
The Irish Traveller communities have long influenced Irish traditional music with their own style, culture and traditions. During this lecture, we will examine the music inspired by prominent Traveller families such as the Keenans, Dunnes, Fureys, Doherty’s and the Doran family who are direct descendants of influential Wexford’s nineteenth-century Traveller piper John Cash, and others. We will listen to archival recordings to discover what makes the music different and magical, the open style of piping, singing styles particular to the Travellers, and fiddle styles.
The St. Patrick’s Day Dilemma: Irish Step Dancers vs. Irish Trad Musicians – Sue Brotherton
This lecture will cover the uneasy relationship between trad musicians who don’t play for dancers (i.e. not feis musicians) and modern Irish step dancers. St Patrick’s Day gigs can show the grumbling on both sides. Musicians sneer at the “canned” music. Dancers groan at trying to dance to musicians unfamiliar with their tune and tempo requirements. Playing a set dance for dancers means A A A B. (Not to mention that the word “set” has four or five meanings to dancers.) The musician’s hop jig is like a fast slip jig; the dancer’s hop jig is a slide. (It’s also called a single jig.) The dancer’s music is heavily dependent on the metronome, something ranging from anathema to confounding for many trad musicians. That’s why the dancer’s “canned” music represents security, whereas live music is “risky”.
Thinking Inside the Box: An Introduction to Accordions and Concertinas – Michael McCauley
An introduction to diatonic button accordions and concertinas. This lecture will include a brief history of free reed instruments. We will explore the parts, inside and out, of concertinas and accordions. Then we will dive into understanding the note layouts for harmonicas, button accordions, and concertinas. We will use visual guides and live demonstrations to help make these potentially daunting instruments more accessible for the audience.
TRAD Talk with Máirtín de Cógáin — 2026 Irish Artist in America Achievement Award Recipient – Máirtín de Cógáin & Ken Fleming
A highlight of the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat is the presentation of the Irish Artist in America Achievement award to an instructor who has advanced the teaching and performance of traditional Irish music in the United States. The Traditional Irish Music Education Society (TIMES), the retreat’s parent organization, has selected Máirtín de Cógáin as our 2026 recipient for his notable contribution to and stewardship of traditional Irish music. Our former retreat director Ken Fleming will interview Máirtín on his musical journey and his many activities that have so wonderfully benefited his students, fellow teachers and the Irish music community at large.
Using Bodhrán Outside of Irish Music – Cara Wildman
While the bodhrán is primarily played in traditional settings, this lecture explores its use in diverse genres such as country, classical Bach, video game music, and jazz. Cara Wildman presents live musical examples to demonstrate how the instrument functions within these different musical contexts.
Wonderful Galway City from an Irish Musicians Perspective –Michael Dugger
Galway is the one of the best Irish cities to visit in Ireland if you play Irish traditional music, or just love to listen to it. This lecture will guide you through a typical visit to the ‘City of Tribes’, with a focus on its music, food, shopping, transportation and lodging. Michael Dugger spent a total of two months on two separate visits to this wonderful city, and can help you navigate your visit so you can enjoy everything Galway has to offer.
TRAD Talk — Irish Artist in America Achievement Award Recipient – Ken Fleming
A highlight of the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat is the presentation of the Irish Artist in America Achievement award to an instructor who has advanced the teaching and performance of traditional Irish music in the United States. The Traditional Irish Music Education Society (TIMES), the retreat’s parent organization, will select this year’s recipient for their notable contribution to and stewardship of traditional Irish music. Our former retreat director Ken Fleming will interview this year’s Irish Artist in America Achievement Award Recipient