O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat
Teaching Traditional Irish Music
Lectures are given by students, former and current instructors and invited guests who have knowledge on topics related to Irish music and dance including music and/or dance history, heritage and culture that are featured at the O’Flaherty Retreat. Our Lectures serve to provide a context for Irish music and dance as we strengthen our ties to these traditions. See LECTURES for descriptions and SCHEDULE (PDF or Mobile-Friendly) for the times and days of these events. Here are our lecturers for this year:
Andy Balinsky has been playing Irish music for four decades on whistle, flute, and concertina. He has played in folk bands ranging from Greek and Balkan to English Country Dance, Contra, and Irish traditional dance music. He enjoys traveling to Irish music camps around the US and Ireland, combining it with nature photography and birding. … [Read more...] about Andy Balinsky
Lecturer – Music Festivals in Ireland
A Washington, DC native, Angela Botzer has played traditional Irish music on the fiddle in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since the early 1980’s. She was a member of the DC-based bands Sodabread, and The Hedgerows, and has played for numerous ceilis and contradances. Angela has also had performances at the Irish Embassy in Washington, DC. When living in Oklahoma City, OK, she … [Read more...] about Angela Botzer
Lecturer – The Irish Travellers’ Influence in Traditional Irish Music | Session Leader – Slow Session
Hailing from a musical family in Bonniconlon Ballina, is Aileen Bourke, a well established concertina player who prides herself in her North Connacht style of music. She is a graduate from the Irish Music & Dance course at University of Limerick where she received a first class honours in her degree. In recent years, she has played extensively throughout Ireland, the UK and … [Read more...] about Aileen Bourke
Core Instructor – Anglo Concertina | Lecturer – North Connacht Repertoir
2026
… [Read more...] about Sue Brotherton
Lecturer – The St. Patrick’s Day Dilemma: Irish Step Dancers vs. Irish Trad Musicians
Awarded with the prestigious Gradam Ceoil TG4 Young Musician of the Year 2021, Sorcha Costello is a traditional Irish fiddle player from Tulla Co. Clare and hails from a family emersed in traditional Irish music. Respected as a performer, teacher and composer, Sorcha has toured worldwide for over ten years and is in high demand on the Irish music festival circuit. Released in 2023, Sorcha’s solo … [Read more...] about Sorcha Costello
Core Instructor – Fiddle | Lecturer – An Exploration of the East Clare Style of Irish Music: Looking back, Moving Forward
2026
Máirtín de Cógáin is one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary ballad singers—an electrifying performer whose work seamlessly weaves song, rhythm, movement, and story. A powerful vocalist and accomplished bodhrán player, he is equally renowned as a playwright and actor, performing throughout Ireland and across the United States. With an infectious presence and instinctive rapport with … [Read more...] about Máirtín de Cógáin
Core Instructor – Singing | Lecturer – Ireland – Land of Legends: Where Every Stone Has a Story to Tell | TradTalk | Lone Star Céilí Caller
2026 Irish Artist in America Achievement Award
Former Instructor – Bodhrán, Set Dancing
2012, 2018, 2026
Michael Dugger has been playing Irish music since 1982 when he was a founding member of the early super Irish American music group, Scartaglen. He was also a founding member of Sunrush and The Kelly Band. Though he started out in the music playing the stringed instruments, a left hand injury pushed him in the direction of the button accordion. He has been playing the box since 2001. He’s has shown … [Read more...] about Michael Dugger
Lecturer – Wonderful Galway City from an Irish Musicians Perspective | Session Leader – Lively Session | Guest Performer – Saturday Dinner
Shane Farrell is an award-winning Irish multi-instrumentalist who began playing traditional Irish music at age seven in a family steeped in the tradition. An All-Ireland Champion, Shane has performed over 10,000 live shows worldwide, building a career as a seasoned international entertainer. Now based in Orlando, Florida, he performs regularly for Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, tours … [Read more...] about Shane Farrell
Core Instructor – Mandolin | Lecturer – Building Up and Tearing England Down: Songs of the Irish Navvies in England
Former Instructor – Tenor Banjo
2021, 2026
Catrióna Fee is a concertina player from Cold Spring, New York who is currently based in Washington, D.C. She is a triplet, the sister of Mairead Fee and Angela Fee, who play the flute and the fiddle respectively. Having two other musicians in the house had a profound impact on her playing, leading her to emphasize the importance of playing in a group rather than focusing solely on solo playing. … [Read more...] about Catrióna Fee
Core Instructor – Concertina Fundamentals | Lecturer – The History of the Concertina
2026
Ken Fleming has been playing Irish music for more than four decades in the Dallas area on tenor banjo, button accordion, concertina, guitar, bouzouki and mandolin. His love of Irish music led him to become involved in 1983 in the formation of the Southwest Celtic Music Association and North Texas Irish Festival of which he was the founding president and founding director respectively. In the … [Read more...] about Ken Fleming
Lecturer – TRAD Talk | Workshop Presenter – Waltzes That Delight | Session Leader – Melody Player for Bodhrán Friendly Session and Dance Friendly Session | Guest Performer – Friday Dinner
Former Instructor – Tenor Banjo, Mandolin
2004, 2005, 2007, 2010
