Educating the Musical World: The Global Impact of the Willie Clancy Summer School 1973-2026

Hosting the world-renowned Willie Clancy School - Tionól Cheoil Montréal.

Montréal will host a historic celebration of Irish traditional music this spring as the world-renowned Willie Clancy Summer School travels to North America for the first time.

Founded in 1973 in memory of Ireland’s most celebrated traditional piper, Willie Clancy, the Willie Clancy Summer School has grown into Europe’s largest school of traditional music. Each July, thousands of musicians, singers, dancers, scholars, and enthusiasts gather in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, to study and perform Irish traditional arts at the highest level.

Now, in partnership with Dr. Seán Ferguson, Dean of the Schulich School of Music at McGill, the School of Irish Studies at Concordia University will host a special two-day tionól (gathering) on April 10–11, 2026. This landmark event brings distinguished performers and tradition-bearers from Ireland to Montréal for lectures, recitals, workshops, and an international concert celebrating Irish and Québécois music.

Featured Artists from Ireland

• Piper, Séamus Ó Rócháin, son of Muiris Ó Rócháin, co-founder of the Willie Clancy Summer School.
• Whistle player, Bríd O’Donohue, niece of JC Talty, founding figure of the school.
• Fiddler Siobhán Peoples, daughter of Irish fiddle master, Tommy Peoples.