Monday's official opening was performed by the poet John F Deane, no stranger to Scoil Acla or Achill in general. Michael O'Raghallaigh, this years Musician in Residence, then stepped up for a selection of tunes on the concertina. Afterwards we had the screening of a documentary entitled 'An Táilliúr gorm' which gave an in-depth look at the life of the inhabitants of Inishbiggle off Achill's east coast. The documentary highlighted the way that the Irish language was being used by both Catholic and Protestant communities between the two islands and how the island has been in decline over the past number of years.

Tuesday was a busy day with plenty of events. After the music classes in the morning we had a talk on fiddle making by Graham Wrigh, a master violin maker, who has settled in Newport, Co. Mayo after spending 25 years in Glasgow running his own workshop. Graham gave a very interesting talk on the various stages to making the fiddle - from the tree to the case, and he showed the audience the numerous pieces in their unfinished state.

Tuesday evening we held our annual 'Seisúín Na nÓg' the informal session for the children that are around for the summer school week which was well enjoyed by every one. Tuesday nights event was our 'Oiche Gaelach' which included poetry, drama and singing, all as gaeilge. The evening was to commemorate Achill's Padraic Seoighe (1927 - 1987). Nora Seoighe compiled a book, which was launched on the night, of previously unpublished work by her father entitled 'Oidhreacht Acla'. The evening was attended by people from the four provinces as well as a very strong local attendance.

On Wednesday evening we held our music recital in St. Thomas's Church, Dugort. Like other years this event was a sell out with all tickets being sold out from the Wednesday morning. A most enjoyable evening was had in an idyllic venue for listening to music. Our well known tutors played at the recital, names such as Paddy Ryan, P.J Hernon, Tommy Keane, Jacqueline McCarthy, Laoise Kelly and Michael O'Raghallaigh.

Thursday evening we held the 'Hata Acla' competition for young musicians. On Thursday night we had our poetry reading again in St. Thomas's church given by Macdara Woods and this years invited poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. The evening consisted of readings from their old and new works interspersed with music from some of our music tutors.

Friday again was action packed with readings from the creative writing course in which participants of the weeks workshop read some of their works. Later on that evening was our Gala concert took place, yet again a full house, with a very attentive audience.

After the late night Saturday morning came around with the last day of classes for 2008. The classes finished at lunch time and at 3:00pm it was time for the Aeraíocht, the open air concert. The Aeraíocht is the culmination of the weeks work where all music and dance classes perform a selection of what they have learned during the weeks tuition. There was a great turn out which was helped by a beautiful day.

On Sunday we had Aifreann an lae in the church in Pollagh, our all-Irish mass to draw this years summer school to a close.

Scoil Acla is going from strength to strength each year. It brings a large number of people together to celebrate Achill's culture and long association with the arts in general. The committee are busy working on next years program and indeed looking ahead to 2010 Scoil Acla's centenary celebration. Keep an eye on our website for further updates throughout the year.

Musician in Residence - Ceoltóir Cónaíthíoch

Micheál O’Raghallaigh
(Musician in Residence 2008).

Click here to read more about Micheál O’Raghallaigh

Ár mBuíochas Dóibh seo a Leanas as a gCuidiú;