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seasonal · Monday 13 July 2026 · 10:00am 
Westport Scoil Cheoil Summer School
At Scoil Phádraig, Westport · Westport, Co. Mayo
At Scoil Phádraig, Westport · Westport, Co. Mayo
Every July, Westport becomes one of the best places in Ireland to immerse yourself in traditional music. Westport Scoil Cheoil is a week-long summer school that draws learners of all ages and abilities to Scoil Phádraig for five days of structured morning classes, evening sessions, and live concerts. It is not a passive festival you watch from a distance - it is a school where you actually play, learn, and join in. Whether you are picking up a tin whistle for the first time or looking to sharpen technique on fiddle or concertina, there is a class pitched at the right level for you.
Morning classes run from 10am to 1pm each day, Monday to Friday. The instrument list is broad: tin whistle at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels; bodhrán and guitar for beginners and combined intermediate/advanced students; and fiddle, button accordion, concertina, flute, banjo, mandolin, and harp for intermediate and advanced players. Singing, dance, and piano/harp accompaniment are also on the timetable. For the youngest participants, a dedicated Kinder Irish Music Camp caters to children aged 4 to 5, introducing them to sean-nós dance, song, and beginner tin whistle.
The social side of the week is just as important as the classroom work. Evening sessions and concerts give students the chance to hear how tunes are played in a real session setting, and to try joining in. The mid-week highlight is the tutor concert on Wednesday 15 July, sponsored by Knockranny House Hotel, featuring performances by the school’s own tutors - accomplished traditional musicians who know exactly how to hold a room. The week closes on Friday morning with a participant concert, where students perform for family and friends.
The school is recognised by the Department of Education for Continuing Professional Development, so primary teachers can claim CPD credit for attending. Demand is consistently strong; several classes fill well in advance of July, so booking early is the sensible approach.
Westport sits on the western edge of Co. Mayo, roughly 260km from Dublin. By car, the N5 from Castlebar takes about 30 minutes; from Ballina via the N58/N5, allow around 45 minutes. From Dublin, the N4/N5 route is the main road corridor, with the journey taking around three hours depending on traffic. Irish Rail runs direct services from Dublin Heuston to Westport - the line is scenic and the station is a short walk from the town centre. Bus Éireann also serves Westport from Galway, Ballina, and other western towns. Street parking is available in the town, and there is a public car park off James Street for longer stays.
Westport is a handsome Georgian planned town with a lively food and music scene that suits a week’s stay rather than a day trip. Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick are right on the doorstep, and the Great Western Greenway cycling trail begins nearby. There is more to see in Westport and across Co. Mayo.
Heading to Scoil Phádraig, Westport in Westport? Mayo has plenty more to see. Read the Westport area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.