Students share their time between specialized workshops for specific instrument, mixed-instrument, concert bands and group sessions.

Masterclasses aim to develop technique, repertoire and explore style.

Composition Workshops : These provide a forum to work with a tutor in exploring the art of composition, especially in the more unusual tune types and learning to produce new material of one’s own in the traditional Irish idiom.

A full scholarship to Meitheal 2026 and half-scholarship  to the runner-up will be awarded to the winner of our Composition Competition. See the Composition page.

Trad Music Arrangement workshops put together an innovative performance of music with imaginative arrangement and harmony.
Trad Orchestra is an opportunity to be part of a sophisticated suite of material with harmonies and arrangement for large group. This material will be performed during the Finale concert and later at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Orchestra:  Each year, Meitheal commissions a piece for orchestra which is performed by the student body at the Finale concert.  In the past, we have been fortunate enough to perform the work of composers such as Zoe Conway, Ryan Molloy, Ernestine Healy, Padraic O Reilly, Simon Thoumire and many more.

Workshop sizes
There is an upper limit on numbers in all workshops. Enrollments are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, so please enroll early to ensure your place. Please note that we reserve the right to cancel individual workshop options if we have not had sufficient enrollments by the closing date.

Please note : Tutors are subject to change. Meitheal does not guarantee the services of any specific tutor.