This is a mobile friendly schedule of our activities at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat. Classrooms will be added one week before the event. Please note that changes may be made up until the retreat begins. To see what events are scheduled for a particular time period, click on the arrow to the right of a given period to display the events. For our print-friendly schedule of activities, go to SCHEDULE.
5-6 p.m., Thursday – First Year Student Orientation at the Maverick
6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday – Dinner at the Texas Pavilion
- Texas BBQ Dinner, Welcome, Dessert & Tablescape Competitions at Lone Star Pavilion
7:30-8 p.m., Thursday – Break
8-9:30 p.m., Thursday – Instructor Concerts at the Chapel
- Group 1 – Sarah Collins, Brenda Dowling, & Catrióna Fee
- Group 2 – Simon Lace, Rob Forkner, & Cedar Dobson
Thursday’s Sessions
- 9:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Organized Sessions
- Lively Session
- Lively Session
- Moderate Session
- Moderate Session
- Slow Session
- Song Session
- 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Sessions (Continued)
- Sessions may continue without a leader until 3 a.m.
8-9 a.m., Friday – Breakfast at the Dining Hall
- Breakfast & Guest Concert
9-9:15 a.m., Friday – BREAK
9:15-10:15 a.m., Friday – Workshops & Enrichment Classes
- Céilí Workshop with Jeremy Welch and Lisha Willeng
- Getting Started with Recording with Rick Cunningham
- The Irish Travellers’ Influence in Traditional Irish Music with Angela Botzer
- Learn Tunes Faster and Play Them Better Based on the Science of Learning with Tom Lockney
- Music Festivals in Ireland with Andy Ballinsky
- Playing Inside the Tune: A Groove-First Approach to Melody with Jonathan Milton
- Playing Irish Harmonica & Session with Paul Dryer
- So What is a Mazurka, Exactly? with Clare Cason
- Vocal Health for Singers with Janis Deane
10:15-10:45 a.m., Friday – BREAK
10:45-11:45 a.m., Friday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #1 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #1 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #1 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #1 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #1 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #1 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #1 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #1 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #1 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #1 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #1 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #1 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #1 with John Wynne
- Guitar #1 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #1 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #1 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #1 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #1 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #1 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #1 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #1 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #1 with Cedar Dobson
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Friday – BREAK
12-1 p.m., Friday – Lunch at the Dining Hall
- Lunch & Guest Concert
- Instrument Petting Zoo at the Dining Hall Patio
1-1:30 p.m., Friday – BREAK
1:30-2:30 p.m., Friday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #2 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #2 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #2 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #2 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #2 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #2 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #2 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #2 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #2 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #2 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #2 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #2 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #2 with John Wynne
- Guitar #2 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #2 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #2 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #2 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #2 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #2 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #2 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #2 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #2 with Cedar Dobson
2:30-2:45 p.m., Friday – BREAK
2:45-3:45 p.m., Friday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #3 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #3 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #3 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #3 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #3 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #3 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #3 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #3 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #3 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #3 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #3 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #3 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #3 with John Wynne
- Guitar #3 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #3 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #3 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #3 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #3 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #3 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #3 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #3 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #3 with Cedar Dobson
3:45-4 p.m., Friday – BREAK
4-5 p.m., Friday – Workshops, Enrichment Classes & Informances
- How Bodhráns are Made with Rob Forkner
- The Impact of John McKenna’s and Tom Morrison’s Music on the Irish and American Traditions with John Wynne
- Influences, Likely and Unlikely! Drawing from Different Sources to Make Yourself a Better Accompanist with Alan Murray
- Informance with Sinéad McKenna
- Ireland – Land of Legends: Where Every Stone Has a Story to Tell with Máirtín de Cógáin
- North Connacht Repertoire with Aileen Bourke
- Playing Second Fiddle with Sarah Collins
5-5:30 p.m., Friday – BREAK
5:30-6:30 p.m., Friday – Dinner at the Dining Hall
- Dinner & Guest Concert
6:30-7 p.m., Friday – BREAK
7-8:30 p.m., Friday – Instructor Concerts at the Chapel
- Group 1 – Gráinne Hambly
- Group 2 – Seán Gavin, Shane Farrell, & Cara Wildman
Friday’s Sessions
- 8:45-10:30 p.m. Play Along Sessions
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- 8:45 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sessions
- Lively Session
- Lively Session
- Moderate Session
- Moderate Session
- Slow Session
- Song Session
- 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Sessions (Continued)
- Sessions may continue without a leader until 3 a.m.
8:45 p.m.-12 a.m., Friday – Lone Star Céilí at the Rec Hall
8-9 a.m., Saturday – Breakfast at the Dining Hall
- Breakfast & Guest Concert
9-9:15 a.m., Saturday – BREAK
9:15-10:15 a.m., Saturday – Workshops & Enrichment Classes
- Intro to the Irish Language with Ian Varley
- The Picks Matters: How Pick Choice Shapes Tone, Speed, and Feel in Irish Music with Mike Taylor
- Pub Songs SingAlong with Joseph Beckey
- Retreat Tunes Played Slowly (A) with John Liestman
- Sean-nós Dancing Workshop with Emily Critz
- The St. Patrick’s Day Dilemma: Irish Step Dancers vs. Irish Trad Musicians with Sue Brotherton
- Waltzes That Delight with Ken Fleming
10:15-10:45 a.m., Saturday – BREAK
10:45-11:45 a.m., Saturday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #4 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #4 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #4 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #4 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #4 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #4 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #4 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #4 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #4 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #4 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #4 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #4 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #4 with John Wynne
- Guitar #4 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #4 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #4 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #4 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #4 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #4 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #4 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #4 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #4 with Cedar Dobson
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
12-1 p.m., Saturday – Lunch at the Dining Hall
- Lunch & Guest Concert
- Fleadh Market – Used Instrument & Music Accessories Sale at Dining Hall Patio
1-1:30 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
1:30-2:30 p.m., Saturday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #5 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #5 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #5 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #5 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #5 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #5 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #5 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #5 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #5 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #5 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #5 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #5 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #5 with John Wynne
- Guitar #5 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #5 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #5 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #5 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #5 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #5 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #5 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #5 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #5 with Cedar Dobson
2:30-2:45 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
2:45-3:45 p.m., Saturday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #6 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #6 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #6 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #6 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #6 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #6 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #6 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #6 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #6 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #6 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #6 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #6 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #6 with John Wynne
- Guitar #6 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #6 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #6 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #6 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #6 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #6 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #6 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #6 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #6 with Cedar Dobson
3:45-4 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
4-5 p.m., Saturday – Workshops, Enrichment Classes & Informances
- Arranging Accompaniment for Songs with Micky Fearon
- Beyond Triplets: Tasteful Ornamentation on the Tenor Banjo with Elaine Reilly
- Deep Dive Into Variations with Cedar Dobson
- The History of the Concertina with Catrióna Fee
- Informance with Seán Gavin
- Practical Stringed Instrument Maintenance for Musicians with Simon Lace
- Using Bodhrán Outside of Irish Music with Cara Wildman
5-5:30 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
5:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday – Dinner at the Dining Hall
- Dinner & Guest Concert
6:30-7 p.m., Saturday – BREAK
7-8:30 p.m., Saturday – Instructor Concerts at the Chapel
- Group 1 – Aileen Bourke, Sorcha Costello, & Máirtín de Cógáin
- Presentation of the Irish Artist in America Achievement Award
- Group 2 – Donal Murphy, Matthew Mancuso, & Alan Murray
Saturday’s Organized Sessions
- 8:45-10:30 p.m. Play Along Sessions
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- 8:45 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sessions
- Lively Session
- Lively Session
- Moderate Session
- Moderate Session
- Slow Session
- Song Session
- Step Swap Session
- 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Sessions (Continued)
- Sessions may continue without a leader until 3 a.m.
7:30-8 a.m., Sunday – Non-Denominational Praise Service at the Compton
8-9 a.m., Sunday – Breakfast at the Dining Hall
- Breakfast & Guest Concert
9-9:15 a.m., Sunday – BREAK
9:15-10:15 a.m., Sunday – Workshops & Enrichment Classes
- Retreat Tunes Played Slowly (B) with Kenny Tweedy
- Set Dance Workshop with Angelika Eleni
- Supercharge your Tune Practice using ABC with Michael Eskin
- Thinking Inside the Box: An Introduction to Accordions and Concertinas with Michael McCauley
- Tune Bingo with Janice Frillmann
- Violin/Viola/Cello to Fiddle with KeyReel Raskolenko
- Wonderful Galway City from an Irish Musicians Perspective with Michael Dugger
10:15-10:45 a.m., Sunday – BREAK
10:45-11:45 a.m., Sunday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #7 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #7 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #7 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #7 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #7 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #7 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #7 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #7 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #7 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #7 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #7 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #7 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #7 with John Wynne
- Guitar #7 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #7 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #7 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #7 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #7 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #7 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #7 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #7 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #7 with Cedar Dobson
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
12-1 p.m., Sunday – Lunch at the Dining Hall
- Lunch & Guest Concert
1-1:30 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
1:30-2:30 p.m., Sunday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #8 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #8 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #8 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #8 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #8 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #8 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #8 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #8 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #8 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #8 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #8 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #8 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #8 with John Wynne
- Guitar #8 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #8 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #8 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #8 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #8 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #8 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #8 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #8 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #8 with Cedar Dobson
2:30-2:45 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
2:45-3:45 p.m., Sunday – Core Classes
- Anglo Concertina Fundamentals #9 with Catrióna Fee
- Anglo Concertina #9 with Aileen Bourke
- Bodhrán Fundamentals #9 with Rob Forkner
- Bodhrán #9 with Cara Wildman
- Bouzouki #9 with Alan Murray
- Button Accordion #9 with Dónal Murphy
- Fiddle Fundamentals #9 with Sarah Collins
- Fiddle #9 with Sorcha Costello
- Fiddle #9 with James Kelly
- Fiddle #9 with Matthew Mancuso
- Fiddle #9 with Sinéad McKenna
- Flute/Whiste Fundamentals #9 with Brenda Dowling
- Flute #9 with John Wynne
- Guitar #9 with Micky Fearon
- Harp #9 with Gráinne Hambly
- Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Fundamentals #9 with Simon Lace
- Mandolin #9 with Shane Farrell
- Sean-nós Dancing #9 with Rebecca McGowan
- Singing #9 with Máirtín de Cógáin
- Tenor Banjo #9 with Elaine Riley
- Uilleann Pipes #9 with Seán Gavin
- Whistle #9 with Cedar Dobson
3:45-4 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
4-5 p.m., Sunday – Workshops, Enrichment Classes & Informances
- An Exploration of the East Clare Style of Irish Music: Looking back, Moving Forward with Sorcha Costello
- Building Up and Tearing England Down: Songs of the Irish Navvies in England with Shane Farrell
- Context Matters: Finessing Your Music to Fit the Moment with Brenda Dowling
- Informance with Gráinne Hambly
- Music of Paddy O’Brien with Matthew Mancuso
- Polkas & Slides with Donal Murphy
- TRAD Talk with Máirtín de Cógáin and Ken Fleming
5-5:30 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
5:30-6:30 p.m., Sunday – Dinner at the Dining Hall
- Dinner & Guest Concert
6:30-7 p.m., Sunday – BREAK
7-8:45 p.m., Sunday – Instructor Concerts at the Chapel
- Group 1: Micky Fearon, Sinéad McKenna, & Elaine Reilly
- Group 2: John Wynne
- Farewell Concert with All Instructors
Sunday’s Organized Sessions
- 9-10:30 p.m. Play Along Sessions
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- Play Along Session with Instructors
- 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sessions
- Lively Session
- Moderate Session
- Slow Session
- Song Session
- Bodhrán Friendly Session
- 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Sessions (Continued)
- Sessions may continue without a leader until 3 a.m.