Jan
12
to 26 Mar

Winter Term 2026

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❄️ 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, 9 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.

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Mar
27
7:30 pm19:30

BelfastTrad End of Term Session - Friday 27th March 2026

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BelfastTrad End of Term Session - Friday 27th March 2026

Please note that the BelfastTrad End of Term Session has now moved from Saturday 28th March to Friday 27th March 2026.

Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm
📍 Scholar’s Bar, Stranmillis University College
(located in the Refectory Building)

Join fellow students and tutors for an informal evening of music, songs, and craic!

All BelfastTrad students from this term are welcome — all instruments and all levels. It’s a relaxed chance to play a few tunes together or simply enjoy the music.

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Mar
28
11:30 am11:30

Donegal Fiddle & Dance Workshops

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Donegal Fiddle & Dance Workshops

Saturday 28th March 2026

BelfastTrad, in collaboration with Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí, are delighted to host a day of Donegal fiddle workshops with outstanding musicians Aidan O’Donnell and Melanie Houton, alongside a Donegal two hand dancing workshop led by Anne and Tara Connaghan.

The day will finish with a joint session and informal recital upstairs in The Errigle Inn, where all tutors will perform together.

Fiddle Workshops @ Stranmillis

11:30am - 2:00pm

Donegal Fiddle Workshop with Melanie Houton
Donegal Fiddle Workshop with Aidan O’Donnell

Music Department - Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5DY

Both workshops will explore repertoire and stylistic elements of the Donegal fiddle tradition, including bowing, rhythm and ornamentation.

Two Hand Dancing Workshop @ The Errigle Inn

11.30am – 2.00pm

Anne Connaghan and Tara Connaghan

Upstairs at The Errigle Inn
312–320 Ormeau Road
Belfast BT7 2GE

This workshop introduces dancers to the lively Donegal two hand dancing tradition, closely connected to the fiddle music of the region.

Joint Session and Recital

2.30pm – 3.30pm

After the workshops everyone is welcome to join the tutors upstairs in The Errigle Inn for a relaxed session and short recital.

Aidan O’Donnell

TG4 Young Musician of the Year 2010, Aidan O’Donnell is widely regarded as one of the finest Irish traditional musicians of his generation. Originally from Donegal, he has performed with many leading artists including Dónal Lunny, Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, and The Chieftains.

He won the Oireachtas na Gaeilge fiddle title in 2007 and has been a regular tutor at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. His recordings include In Safe Hands with flute player Kieran Munnelly and albums with the group Fidil, which have received international critical acclaim.

Melanie Houton

Melanie Houton is originally from Portaleen, Malin in Inishowen, Co Donegal and comes from a well known musical family. Now based in Belfast, she is very active in the city’s traditional music scene as both a performer and teacher.

She has received many awards for her fiddle playing and performs regularly with her sister Paula Houton. In 2019 the sisters released their debut album A Snapshot in Time. Melanie has performed at festivals across Ireland and has appeared on television and radio programmes for RTÉ, TG4 and BBC.

Anne Connaghan and Tara Connaghan

Anne Connaghan is a respected teacher and performer of the Donegal dance tradition. She regularly teaches at festivals and cultural events and has toured as part of the Heel to Toe project, which showcased regional music, song and dance from across Ireland.

Tara Connaghan, from Glenties in Co Donegal, is a highly regarded fiddle player who has performed widely and recently presented her own Geantraí programme on TG4. She recorded the album The Far Side of the Glen with fellow Donegal fiddler Derek McGinley.

Together they will introduce dancers to the distinctive rhythms and steps of Donegal set dancing, closely connected with the music of the region.

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Apr
27
to 18 Jun

Spring Term 2026

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🌸 Spring Term 2026 — BelfastTrad
To be notified as soon as enrolment goes live, please join our mailing list:

Mailing List

📍 Location: Stranmillis University College – Music Department, Belfast
🗓 Dates:

Term Begins: Monday, 27 April 2026
Term Ends: Thursday, 18 June 2026 (8 weeks)

🎻 Instrument Hire & Information Evening:

Thursday, 23 April 2026 — Meet tutors, arrange instrument hire, and get ready for the term.


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34th Belfast Piping Tionól
Mar
6
to 7 Mar

34th Belfast Piping Tionól

The 34th Belfast Piping Tionól

Friday 6 & Saturday 7 March 2026

Workshops, sessions, reed-making, Try the Pipes & Pipers’ Chair

Workshops & sessions with:

Síle Friel · Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn · Robbie Hughes · Patrick O’Hare · Tom Clarke

Whether you’re a long-time piper, brand new learner, or simply love the sound of the pipes, there’s something for everyone.

Full Programme

FRIDAY 6TH MARCH 2026

Madden’s Bar

Piping Session

7.00 – 10.00pm

SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2026

An Droichead, Belfast

10.00AM – 12.00PM

Uilleann Piping workshop with Síle Friel

Uilleann Piping workshop with Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn

Reed-making workshop with Robbie Hughes

* Total beginners’ class available on request

MIDDAY SESSIONS / LUNCH BREAK

FROM 12.00PM

Try the Pipes with Tom Clarke (till 1pm)

How to Tune the Pipes with Patrick O’Hare (till 1.30pm)

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

2.00PM – 4.00PM

Workshops continue

SATURDAY EVENING

An Droichead

Pipers’ Chair

From 7.30pm

enrol now

Tom Clarke - Beginner pipes

Tom Clarke is well-known in piping circles. He has been teaching the pipes for many years now and is very skilled in explaining the intricacies of this ancient and beautiful instrument. While the pipes are not the easiest instrument to learn, their music has been an essential component of Irish music for over 300 years. unparalleled. Tom also organises the annual Belfast Piping Tíonol, held every March. In 2005 Tom was honoured to receive an award from Na Píobairí Uilleann in recognition and appreciation of over 30 years of dedicated teaching on the uilleann pipes.

Síle Friel

Sheila Friel was born in Glasgow with family roots firmly entrenched in the Donegal Gaeltacht. She began playing music on tin whistle, then flute for several years, before getting a set of pipes at age 16. Sheila performs and tours the world along with her sisters Anna and Clare, who together comprise the highly regarded traditional group, The Friel Sisters.

Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn

Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn is an award winning Uilleann Piper from Monaghan who has been playing the Uilleann Pipes since the age of nine with Armagh Pipers Club. He has achieved four All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil titles, two in An t-Oireachtas, and in 2013, the Seán O Riada Bonn Óir award.

enrol now
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Jan
8
6:00 pm18:00

Winter Term: Instrument Hire and Information Evening

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  • Google Calendar ICS

Winter Term 2026: Instrument Hire & Information Evening

📅 Thursday 8th January 2026
🕕 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Recital Room, Music Department, Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9, United Kingdom
Map & directions: https://www.belfasttrad.com/where-we-are

Join us for an evening to:
✔️ Meet your tutors
✔️ Pick up hired instruments
✔️ Connect with other students before term begins

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Dec
13
7:30 pm19:30

Autumn Term – End of Term Session

  • Stranmillis University College - Music Department (map)
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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!

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Nov
15
10:00 am10:00

Learn to Play for Dancers Workshop with James McCaffrey and Michael Curran.

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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.

Learn to Play for Dancers Workshop

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.

About the Tutors

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.

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Oct
10
to 11 Oct

October Workshops with Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne, Jim Murray and Oisin McCann

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Friday 10th October 2025

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.

Saturday 11th October 2025

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.

Enrol
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Sept
15
to 11 Dec

Autumn Term 2025

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  • Google Calendar ICS

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.

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Sept
11
6:00 pm18:00

Instrument Hire and Information Evening

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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!

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Spring Term 2025 Begins
Apr
28
to 19 Jun

Spring Term 2025 Begins

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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.

belfasttrad.com/mail-list

Check out our Class Timetable for our weekly schedule of classes:

belfasttrad.com/class-timetable

More info or booking:

belfasttrad.com/shop

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Breton Music Masterclass with Jean-Michel Veillon
Apr
16
7:00 pm19:00

Breton Music Masterclass with Jean-Michel Veillon

  • Stranmillis University College Music Department (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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.

BelfastTrad.com/shop

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Workshops with Nia and Dermot Byrne (fiddle and accordion), and Steve Cooney (guitar)
Apr
5
10:30 am10:30

Workshops with Nia and Dermot Byrne (fiddle and accordion), and Steve Cooney (guitar)

  • Stranmillis University College Music Department (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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.

Learn more
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Winter Term 2025 Begins
Jan
6
to 10 Jan

Winter Term 2025 Begins

  • Stranmillis University (map)
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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

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Information and Instrument Hire Evening for all Students!
Jan
2
6:00 pm18:00

Information and Instrument Hire Evening for all Students!

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

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Information and Instrument Hire Evening for all Students!
Sept
16
6:00 pm18:00

Information and Instrument Hire Evening for all Students!

  • Stranmillis University College (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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

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