Traditional Fiddle Workshop

A Saturday morning in Tipperary town given over to the fiddle is a fine way to spend a few hours. This hands-on workshop is aimed at players who are already holding a bow - beginners who have learned a few notes and intermediates who want to sharpen what they have. If you have been picking things up by ear and wondering why your reels still sound a bit rough, this is exactly the kind of focused session that moves you forward. The format is small groups with one-to-one feedback, which means you are not just watching a demonstration from the back of a room - you play, you get told what to fix, and you play it again. That is how traditional music has always been passed on in Ireland.

What to expect

The session covers the core building blocks of Irish fiddle playing: bow hold, bow distribution across the strings, tone production, and the ornamentation that gives trad its character. That last part is what most beginners struggle with - the cuts, rolls, and slurs that sit between the notes and make a tune sound Irish rather than just correct. Instructors will work through these with participants at whatever pace suits the group.

Bring your own fiddle and rosin. Tuning up before you arrive will save time. Sheet music is not the focus here - the emphasis is on learning by ear and feel, as it would have been in any kitchen session a generation ago.

Getting there

Tipperary town sits on the N24 between Limerick and Waterford, and is easy to reach by car from most of Munster. The M8 connects Cork and Dublin to the region. By rail, Tipperary town has its own station on the Limerick Junction - Waterford line, with connections from Dublin Heuston via Limerick Junction. Community centres in the town are within easy walking distance of the town centre, with street parking available on surrounding roads.

While you’re in Tipperary

Tipperary town is a good base for a day out - the Glen of Aherlow is a short drive south, and the Rock of Cashel is around 20 minutes up the road. There is more to see in Tipperary and across Co. Tipperary.

Good to know

• Date: Saturday 15 August 2026, starting at 10:00am
• Price: workshop fee applies - contact the organiser for the current rate
• Organised by: Traditional Music Organisation
• Venue: Community Centre, Tipperary, Co. Tipperary
• Bring your own fiddle
• Class sizes are limited - prior booking is recommended
• Suitable for beginners and intermediate players