Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy returns to TG4 once again. Filmed on location in Miltown Malbay in July 2024, this hugely popular series will feature entertaining high-end performances and fascinating conversation against this very alluring backdrop.
As a musical event, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy showcases every single aspect of the tradition – the learners, the festival enthusiasts, the dancers, the singers, the discerning listeners, the younger modern players, and the professionals. Now celebrating 51 years, it continues to attract international crowds and huge talent into the tiny West Clare town of Miltown Malbay year-on-year.
It has become something of a ‘Mecca of Music’, and this series showcases the diversity of sights and sounds that can be found there annually. Each episode of this musically exciting series will take us from morning to night during a day at the summer school and features music, song, dance, and chat from a variety of characters from across the globe, and closer to home. Throughout the four episodes, we will meet a diverse and talented cohort of interesting characters.
In episode one on November 24th, we meet Noel Hill, who has been leading the concertina classes at the summer school for over 30 years. Noel will also feature alongside his friend & fiddle player Liam O’Connor. US fiddle player Andrew Caden joins his friends Conor McDonagh & Jack Fitzpatrick for some lively tunes. We will also hear from musicians Eimear Howley, Maggie Maguire & Fionn O’Hanlon.
In episode two on December 1st, we meet Mary Corcoran, Aoife O’Connor & Majella O’Beirne who perform both on and off the golf course in Spanish Point. We will also see flute teacher Marcus Ó Murchú perform for his class before joining his wife Caitríona & daughter Róise for a song in Mullagh. In this episode there is also music from Neill Byrne, Tomás Ó Gealbháin, Seán Ó Fearghail & Joan Hanrahan.
In episode three on the 8th December, we meet Derry fiddler Liz Doherty who joins her old friends ‘Fiddlesticks’ for an energetic performance. We will also hear from Tom Morrow, Tríona Flavin & their daughters Éabha & Caoilfhionn Morrow. Niamh Parsons sings in the back garden of one of her old haunts – Marrinan’s Bar. This episode also features music and song from Sorcha Hennessy, Róise & Hazel O’Reilly, Edel Vaughan & Micheál Marrinan.
In episode 4 on the 15th December, we meet flute & accordion player Nicholas Williams & his family from Quebec who are attending the summer school for the first time. Fiddle teacher Leah Kelly introduces us to her family and we hear from the three generations throughout the episode. There is some beautiful singing from Brían Ó hÁirt from St. Louis, USA & Cait Ní Riain from Tipperary who performs in the peaceful surrounds of the local Eco Campsite. This episode also features music from Noel & Áine O’Donoghue & Seanie Vaughan, as well as Johnny Óg Connolly, Clíodhna Costello & Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is produced and directed by Miltown Malbay musician Edel Fox for Tyrone Productions.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy will air on Sunday nights at 9.30pm for 4 weeks on TG4, beginning on 24th November 2024.
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