The Piping Academy became a popular feature of the William Kennedy Piping Festival. It brought a new dimension to the teaching and appreciation of uilleann piping through a comprehensive and immersive tutorial programme, covering all aspects of performance as well as the making and maintenance of uilleann pipes under the direction of universally respected tutors. From 2022 to 2024, the Piping Academy was named in honour of the late Mark Donnelly, an excellent and much-loved piper from Armagh who died on 28 December 1999, aged just 33.
The Academy was primarily designed for musicians over the age of 18.
The course was aimed at those who have a good grasp of uilleann pipes already – intermediate to advanced students, comfortable learning by ear. Ideally students would also be able to read and write music. A sound recording device could be used by students in classes.Participation on the course is by online application only at this link.
The course in 2024 cost just £85. The programme included the following:
ACADEMY TUITION – 8 hours tuition divided into 4 x 2 hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday. The 2024 tutors were Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, Cillian Vallely, Colm Broderick, Éamonn Curran, Grace Lemon, Máire Ní Ghráda, Mark Redmond, Paddi Benson, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn and Tom Delany.
REED MAKING DEMONSTRATION – Saturday 3.30pm with pipemaker Éamonn Curran.
THE WILLIAM KENNEDY LECTURE – Saturday 6.30pm, Toner Quinn, “How Ireland thinks about music”.
FESTIVAL PASS – the Academy place included free entry to all five public concerts over the Festival.
