Willie Clancy Summer School

The Willie Clancy Summer School (Irish: Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy) in Ireland is the world's largest traditional music summer school, held annually since 1973 in memory of the uilleann piper Willie Clancy.^[1][2] During the week, nearly a thousand students from all over the world attend daily classes taught by experts in Irish music and dance. In addition, a full programme of lectures, recitals, céilí dances, and exhibitions are run by the school.^[2]

Willie Clancy Summer School Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy
Willie Clancy statue in Milltown Malbay
Status	Active
Genre	Irish traditional music and dance
Date(s)	July
Begins	First Saturday
Frequency	Annually
Venue	Schools, hotels, homes
Location(s)	Milltown Malbay, County Clare
Coordinates	52.855°N 9.400°W / 52.855; -9.400
Country	Ireland
Years active	1973—present
Founders	Junior Crehan Séamus MacMathúna Paddy Joe McMahon Muiris Ó Rócháin Martin Talty
Participants	1,000
Attendance	Thousands
Activity	Classes in instruments and dancing, céilis, lectures, recitals, workshops
Website	scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com

School events are held in the town of Milltown Malbay in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, during the week beginning on the first Saturday of July.^[2] The weekly registration includes six classes, all lectures and recitals (except the Saturday concert), and reduced price admission to céilís. Lectures, recitals, the concert, and céilís are open to the public.

The summer school won the MÓRglór Award (named in memory of Muiris Ó Rócháin) in 2025.^[3]

The school

Clancy discussed the idea of a summer school with his friends in 1972, months before he died.^[4] The event was founded by a committee of local people after the death of Clancy, aged 54, in January 1973. After the death of Clancy, Muiris Ó Rócháin built on this idea with Séamus Mac Mathúna, Martin Talty, Junior Crehan and Paddy Joe McMahon.^[5][3] They were soon joined by others like Sean Reid, Jimmy Ward and Peadar O'Loughlin.^{[citation needed]}

The school has a fine reputation as an event where Irish traditional music can be learned and practised by all. It was founded with the idea that music could be learned outside of the strictures of competition or borders. Students include children and teenagers as well as adults. All are mixed within classes according to level of musicianship on a particular instrument. It is possible during the week to attend activities as different as reed making workshops for pipes, as well as concertina classes, for example.

Classes are held in schools, hotels, and private houses. Depending on the student's wishes, it is possible to change teachers during the week. Teachers are chosen for their expertise and many are renowned exponents of Irish music and song.

Attendance

During the week, crowds visit Milltown Malbay solely for informal playing, or to listen to traditional Irish music in venues such as pubs, kitchens, and streets. This casual audience does not attend classes and turned it into a festival.

See also

• Queen Maeve International Summer School