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international Bodhrán Summerschool

Craiceann

29th of June through Friday 3rd of July 2026

Céad Míle Fáilte

Welcome

You have just reached the Craiceann website, and we would like to wish you Céad Míle Fáilte which in Irish means a hundred thousand welcomes.

This site describes and promotes the unique bodhran summerschool, that takes place annually over five days at the end of June on the little island of Inis Oirr in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland.

Craiceann (pronounced – “cracken”) is actually the Irish name for skin, and we felt is a particularly appropriate title for a school of drummers whose instrument depends on a drum skin.

29th of June to 3rd of July 2026

Craiceann 2026

Details for Craiceann 2026 will be available by the end of the year. Meanwhile, this is what happened in 2025:

These were our Teachers in 2025

We are happy to present our list of teachers for Craiceann 2025. To read more about the teachers, follow this link: Our teachers

Aimee Farrel-Courtney
Niamh Fennell
Brian Morrissey
Dermot Sheedy
Kieran Leonard
Jim Higgings
Andy Kruspe
James O'Connor
Siobhán O'Donnell

These were our Concerts in 2025

Tuesday night

Aimee Farrell Courtney and friends

Our long time tutor Aimee Farrell Courtney has assembled a band especially for this night not to be missed.

Wednesday night

The Mainlanders

The Mainlanders feature All Ireland Champion Peter McKenna on pipes, Micky Fearon on guitar and vocals, Aaron Glancy (another All Ireland champion!) on accordion and Sean Breen on bodhrán.

These were our Workshops in 2025

Micheál O’hÁlmháin

Welcome and Introduction

Madeline Earp & Aimee Farrel-Courtney

Celebrating the women of the bodhran world

Gary Fortune

21 Years of the Craic at Craiceann

These were our Craftsmen in 2025

Christian Hedwitschak

Bodhrán maker
Christian Hedwitschak will bring a selection of drums and he will also be available during the week.

Stevie Moises

Tipper maker
Stevie Moises will bring his mobile lathe and a selection of woods, so he will be able to turn any tippers to your liking!

Testimonials

"I was blown away by my first year in the best ways possible. "Thank you" seems too simple, but thank you so very much for giving us this space, for the lifelong friends, and for the memories that were made. I can still hear the rumble of the bodhrán in my mind; it will forever be in my heart. What a sound! What an experience! Thank you!"

Jason Drumm, USA
"Everyone kept telling me that Craiceann would be the best week of the whole summer, and it was 100% true. Great tunes, great friends, beautiful scenery!"
Cara Wildmann, USA
"Craiceann was magnificent!"
Tamara Smalling, France
"One of the best experiences of my life. Thank you!"
Michael McMahon, Canada
"I had a wonderful and great time! Never experienced something like that before. A week of wonderful music, spirit, people, kindness… just perfect!"
Sada, Switzerland
"Honestly one of the best weeks ever!"
Molly Donnery, Ireland
"What a fantastic week. I first came in 2015 I can’t believe it gets better and better every year!"
Monica Harris, UK
This was my first Craiceann. It was a wonderful experience filled with many fantastic learning experiences. Thank you!
Suzanne Tate, Canada
All of the tutors were wonderful and having the opportunity to be exposed to so many different styles and ideas was irreplaceable.
Julie Leduchowski, Canada
All the tutors were so welcoming and incredibly supportive, kind and positive. I really appreciated their enthusiasm for the beginner Bodhran player (me)!
Andrea Joyce, Canada
All of the instructors were phenomenal. Very supportive, kind, patient, and top tier.
Elizabeth Collins, USA
I have been impressed by the professionalism of all teachers, their open and welcoming attitude and the variety of subjects offered.
Vincent Joris, Belgium