Autumn Term – End of Term Session
A reminder that our end-of-term session will take place on Saturday 13th December at 7.30pm in the Scholar’s Bar, Stranmillis College.
All BelfastTrad students from this term are warmly invited — all instruments, all levels. Come along, play a few tunes, or just enjoy the music!
Hope to see you there!
❄️ Winter Term 2026 — BelfastTrad
📍 Location: Stranmillis University College – Music Department, Belfast
🗓 Dates:
Term Begins: Monday, 12 January 2026
Term Ends: Thursday, 26 March 2026 (10 weeks)
Mid-Term Break: Week beginning Monday, 16 February 2026
End of Term Session: Saturday, 28 March 2026
🎻 Instrument Hire & Information Evening:
Thursday, 8 January 2026 — Meet tutors, arrange instrument hire, and get ready for the term.!
Check out the Class Timetable.
Saturday, 15 November 2025
📍 Stranmillis University College – Music Department, Belfast
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Please note: the Set Dancing Workshop and Small Céilí originally scheduled for this date will not go ahead due to scheduling issues.
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
with James McCaffrey (Flute) & Michael Curran (Accordion)
Learn to play tunes for set and céilí dancers with members of the Blackwater Céilí Band. Focus on rhythm, lift, and ensemble playing in a traditional dance setting.
James McCaffrey – Flute & Whistle
From Dromore, Co. Tyrone, James is a highly regarded traditional musician known for his expressive flute and whistle playing.
Senior All-Ireland Whistle Champion (2015) and founding member of the Blackwater Céilí Band, winners of the Senior All-Ireland Céilí Band Title (2018).
He teaches and performs widely, including with The Porter Bellys and Core Céilí, a new trio featuring Michael Curran and Jason McGuinness.
Michael Curran – Button Accordion
A former All-Ireland Senior Button Accordion Champion from Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, Michael is celebrated for his strong Ulster style and dynamic teaching.
An original member of the Blackwater Céilí Band, he performs and teaches across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the USA.
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Session with Students
The American Bar, Belfast
A casual music session led by Tara Breen, Jim Murray, and Padraig Rynne. Students and attendees are welcome to join in.
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Instrumental Workshops
Music Department, Stranmillis University College, Belfast
Workshops in fiddle, concertina, and guitar with Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne and Jim Murray.
Set Dancing Workshops
Workshops with Oisín McCann.
Autumn Term 2025 at BelfastTrad
Twelve weeks of tunes, tradition, and great company!
🎻 Instrument Hire & Info Evening: Thursday, September 11th
📅 Term Dates: Monday, September 15th – Thursday, December 11th
🍂 Mid-Term Break: Week of Monday, October 27th
From absolute beginners to seasoned players, everyone’s welcome. Let’s play!
Check out the Class Timetable.
Instrument Hire & Info Evening
Thursday, 11th September | 6:00–8:00 pm | Recital Room
Join us for an evening to meet our tutors, get information about the upcoming term, and pick up instruments for your classes. Perfect for new and returning students to get set up for a great term of traditional music and dance!
The 4th annual weekend celebration of Ulster Song!
Talks, singing sessions, concert.
Singers and listeners welcome.
Our Spring 2025 Term begins on 28th April
Over 40 classes a week for adults learners and children. Instrument Hire available.
Enrolment opens in mid April. Sign up to the mailing list to be notified when enrolment is open.
Check out our Class Timetable for our weekly schedule of classes:
belfasttrad.com/class-timetable
More info or booking:
Time, Date & Location:
7:00pm -9:00pm Wednesday April 16th, 2025, Music Department, Stranmillis University College
Jean-Michel Veillon is one of the most renowned performers on the wooden flute in the world of Celtic music. He pioneered the use of this instrument in Breton music and influenced an entire generation musicians in Brittany and beyond. This workshop is open to advanced and professional players of Irish traditional music on any acoustic instrument who wish to explore the repertoire and subtle rhythms of Breton music with one of its greatest masters.
Cost and booking:
Registration is £20 or £15 for current members/students of BelfastTrad (to avail of discount enter the code MEMBER on checkout). Places are limited and booking is essential.
Time, Date & Location:
10.30am-1.30pm, Saturday April 5th, 2025, Music Department, Stranmillis University College
The Tutors:
A leader of a new generation of Donegal singers and fiddle players, Nia Byrne was born and raised in the North-West Donegal Gaeltacht. Joining her for the workshops are her father Dermot Byrne, the renowned Donegal accordion player and Steve Cooney, one of the most influential guitarists currently working in the IRish tradition.
The Workshops:
These workhops are for upper intermediate/advanced musicians on fiddle, accordion, or guitar. The trio of tutors will be performing in concert the same evening in An Droichead.
Cost and booking:
Registration is £30 or £25 for current members/students of BelfastTrad (to avail of discount enter the code MEMBER on checkout). Places are limited and booking is essential.
Join us for our End of Term Session! A celebration of our Winter Term!
Core tunes, singing, dancing and more!
The 33rd Belfast Piping Tionól
Sessions, Workshops, and Piper’s Chair
With guests Robbie Hannan, Jimmy O’Brien Moran and Paddy O’Hare
In collaboration with An Droichead and Na Piobairí Uileann
Piper and fiddler Maurice Bradley’s new CD Óran na hEala
launched by renowned Donegal fiddler Dermot McLaughlin
with special guests
Workshops with master fiddlers Siobhán Peoples and Martin McGinley
Trad Ensemble with Catriona Gribben.
Join us for our End of Term Session! A celebration of our Autumn Term!
Core tunes, singing, dancing and more!
Winter Term starts Mon 6th January
Over 40 classes a week for adults learners and children. Instrument Hire available.
Enrolment open 9th December
https://www.belfasttrad.com/shop
Sign up to the mailing list to be notified when enrolment is open.
https://www.belfasttrad.com/mail-list
Come along to collect hired instruments or have a chat with our tutors and meet other students.
All dance and music and singing students are welcome.
Stranmillis University College, Music Department , 6-7pm, Thursday 15th Sep.
For a campus map, click here: https://www.belfasttrad.com/where-we-are
Ryan Molloy - Talk: “Where Classical Meets Trad: A Century(ish) of ‘Crossover’”
Mick Mulkerrin In-conversation
Marie Walsh - Accordion Workshop
Bríd Harper - Advanced Fiddle Workshop
Ryan Molloy - Traditional Irish Tune Composition Workshop
Mick Mulkerrin - Steps for Sets Workshop
Our monthly kids session in collaboration with Glengormley School of Traditional Music continues at 2 Royal Avenue (old Tesco’s ), 2-4pm, Sunday 17th Nov.
Trad Ensemble with Catriona Gribben.
Come along to collect hired instruments or have a chat with our tutors and meet other students.
All dance and music and singing students are welcome.
Stranmillis University College, Music Department , 6-7pm, Thursday 15th Sep.
For a campus map, click here: https://www.belfasttrad.com/where-we-are
The 4th annual weekend celebration of Ulster Song!
Talks, singing sessions, concert.
Singers and listeners welcome.
Join us for our End of Term Session! A celebration of our Autumn Term!
Core tunes, singing, dancing and more!
The American Bar, 8.30pm-Late: Cathaoir an Phíobaire / Piper’s Chair
Friday 1st March
Venue: Madden’s Bar
7pm-10pm: Big Piping Session
Saturday 2nd March
Venue: An Droichead
10am – 3pm: Piping & Reedmaking Tuition
Piping Tutors: Declan Masterson & Muireann Ní Shé
Reedmaking Tutor: Aaron O’Hagan
1:30pm-2pm: Young Pipers Recital
Cian McGrory
Niamh Nic Ionnrachtaigh
Venue: The American Bar
7.30- 8.30pm:: Comhrá / In-Conversation with Helena Rowsome
‘Growing up with the King of the Pipers’
8.30pm-Late: Cathaoir an Phíobaire / Piper’s Chair
Sunday 18th February
Venue: Madden’s Bar
4pm-7pm: Piping Session
We are delighted to host this event in which Martin Dowling with be having an in-conversation with Helena Rowsome on ‘Growing up with the King of the Pipers’.
Born in Dublin of 19th century Wexford piping stock, Leo was the first uilleann piper to play solo on Irish Radio (2RN) in January 1926. A prolific performer on a variety of 78 rpm record labels and a regular broadcaster, Leo Rowsome became a household name throughout Ireland, and brought Irish music and the uilleann pipes to the concert halls and theatres of the world. Leo learned the art of pipe-making from his father, William and was appointed teacher of the uilleann pipes at Dublin’s Municipal School of Music in 1920.
He revived the Dublin Pipers’ Club in 1936 and was a key founding member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and a founder member of Na Píobairí Uilleann.
Pipes made by Leo are in museums world-wide, and have been used as templates by aspiring pipe makers.
Sessions, workshops, pipers chair and much much more!
With guests Declan Masterson, Muireann Ní Shé, Aaron O’Hagan, Niamh Nic Ionnrachtaigh and talk with Helena Rowsome.
In collaboration with An Droichead and NPU
