2025 List of Tutors

Bríd is an Irish traditional fiddle player from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal and now living near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Encouraged by her parents she grew up learning and playing Irish traditional music with her sisters in the Finn Valley area. With music on both sides of the family she is carrying on the tradition of fiddle playing. She won numerous under-age All Ireland titles and other prestigious fiddle awards including the Senior All Ireland, Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Fiddler of Dooney.

Bríd an MA graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of Limerick has toured extensively and has performed with many great musicians including Dermot Byrne Steve Cooney Donogh Hennessy Danny O'Mahony Arty McGlynn Harry Bradley Tony O'Connell and Cyril O'Donoghue. She has been hailed as one of the leading exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time. Bríd is highly respected as a teacher and has tutored at many Summer Schools and Workshops throughout Ireland and in France, Holland and the USA. Her first solo CD was released in 2015 and has enjoyed much success to date.

Bríd teaches fiddle at all levels and has extensive experience over many years both in class and one-on-one scenarios.

Past teaching venues include:
*Fiddle Week Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal * Scoil Éigse (CCE) *Irish Arts Week, Catskills, USA *Fiddlers Farm, Niedorp, Holland *Joe Mooney Summer School, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim *Café Concert, Toucouleur, Brittany, France

MacDara Ó Raghallaigh is the youngest of a musical family of Rathmolyon, Co. Meath and he was reared on music. Their home on the family farm was one filled with traditional music and song, and Irish was the everyday spoken tongue. MacDara Ó Raghallaigh fiddle playing is often described os 'brilliant', 'amazing', 'top-class'.
These accolades indeed fit well as MacDara has earned a reputation as one of Ireland's outstanding fiddle players. His playing style is highly individual, personal and deeply rooted in the pure tradition. What strikes you is the personality and flair in the music and the driving rhythm and pulse that is delivered by a powerful fluid bowhand.

FLUTE

Tom Doorley was born in Dublin in the early 1970’s and has been playing for many years in both Classical and Traditional music circles, in Ireland and abroad. In his younger years he received lessons from Vincent Broderick, Micheál Ó hAlmhain, Cormac Breathnach, the late Seamus MacMathuna and is heavily inspired by the music of Matt Molloy. After winning the All-Ireland flute competition he continued on with his studies in classical flute qualifying with an honours degree in performance in the Dublin Institute of Technology (TUD) and Trinity College Dublin. Tom further explored the development of his flute playing while studying with acclaimed flautists such as Julius Baker, James Galway and Marzio Conti in the Boccherini Conservatoire in Lucca, Italy. From his studies Tom has been developing a mix of methods in expressive tone, technique and interpretation in helping students develop their musical skills and musicianship.

After his studies he joined with the internationally acclaimed Irish traditional band Danú and performed professionally with them for fourteen years. He has toured the world performing Irish music and promoting Irish culture. As a recording artist he has recorded multiple albums and a dvd with Danú, Julie Fowlis ,and even featured on Disneys’ movie soundtrack “<em>Brave”</em>. He also had the pleasure in performing and recording with Irish singing legend Liam Clancy.

Tom currently lectures and teaches on the Irish traditional music course in Technological University Dublin (TUD). He currently holds the position as musical director of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland (NFOI) where is composing new repertoire and developing exciting new ideas for this wonderful and vibrant orchestra. Tom recognises the importance of imparting his knowledge of music and sharing his experiences with students in helping them develop their musicianship and instrumental skills so as they can enjoy the richness and excitement of Irish traditional music.

ACCORDION

Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year 2024

Derek Hickey hails from Adare, County Limerick. Both his grandfathers played fiddle and his own musical career began at ten years of age when his uncle left an accordion in the family home. Derek progressed to dance tunes within weeks though he didn't begin lessons - under the tutelage of Donal de Barra - until he was 12.
Derek's professional career began three years later when he joined the Shannonside Ceili Band. Formed by the Liddy family the band was particularly popular in the north of the country. It also toured extensively in England and made regular trips throughout Europe. In 1991 Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for regular sessions in his then leased hotel in Kinvara, Co. Galway. One year later, at just eighteen years of age, Derek joined Arcady, Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh's band. Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick were also members of the band at that time and many other household names have played in the line-up, including Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O'Connor.
In 1995 Derek joined the legendary De Danann alongside Frankie Gavin. He toured with De Danann until 2003. He spent some time teaching as a button accordion tutor on the BA Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy. Alongside teaching he returned to performing with De Danann and he continues to tour nationally and internationally.
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Originally from Belfast, Colm McGonigle was first taught to play traditional Irish music on the concertina by his father. He learned to play piano as a child and later the Irish harp. While studying and working in Cambridge, U.K. he played annually at the Cambridge Folk Festival and performed across London including weekly sessions at the Auld Triangle in Finsbury Park, the Club at the Ivy in the West End and the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. Colm was harp tutor for the London Irish Music School & Feith an Cheoil School of Music and taught workshops at The Return to Camden Town Festival, The Trip to Birmingham Trad Festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow & Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Upon completing his doctoral studies in 2016, Colm moved to Dublin and now enjoys teaching and performing throughout Ireland. Recent performances include the Music Generation Laois Tionól, Céilí House to promote Lá na Cruite 2024 and Ceol Mharlaí Orchestra Concert at Féile Nasc 2025. This is his third visit to the Skerries Traditional Music Weekend.

Brian Fitzgerald hails from Bulgaden, near Kilmallock in Co Limerick.

He has toured with various Irish traditional music groups in Ireland, UK, Australia & North America , Australia & Asia.

He recorded his first album with Oisin Mac Diarmada (fiddle) & Michael Rooney (harp) in 2000. Brian was also a guest artist on James Keane's solo album( Sweeter as the years go by) along with the group Turas in 1999.

Brian's first solo album 'Turning Hay with a Crowbar' was released in 2023.There are also recordings of Brian playing with his wife, Lorna Fitzgerald (button accordion), on Seize The Moment in 2005 & The Teach Ceoil Concerts in 2011.

Brian has tutored at master classes at Scoil Eigse. Willie Clancy Summer School & in the University of Limerick as well as many workshops throughout Ireland.

He also works as tutor & assessor in the training of Irish music teachers on Comhaltas' TTCT courses.Brian has recently been added to the list of examiners for the SCT exams.