Irish Traditional Music Performance - MA

Develop as an advanced professional traditional music performer or pursue opportunities in music production, education and the arts with UL’s full-time, one-year Master of Arts in Irish Traditional Music Performance. 

Delivered by a community of world-renowned traditional performers and tutors, the programme develops music and associated skills appropriate to the modern performance of traditional Irish music.  

Our regular teaching team includes Siobhán Peoples (fiddle), Deirdre Scanlan (voice), John Carty (fiddle), Derek Hickey (accordion), Conal O’Kane (accompaniment), and Blackie O’Connell (uilleann pipes).  

Instrumental development is further enriched by access to up to five visiting tutors each semester. Previous visiting tutors have included Zoë Conway and John McIntrye, Clare Egan, Angelina Carberry, Pádraig McGovern, Enda Scahill, Troy McGillivray and Mick O’Brien. 

Alongside performance training, you’ll gain academic and vocational skills in repertoire analysis, music business, and music technology. Many graduates have gone on to build successful careers as professional performers. 

During this programme, you will 

• Receive advanced vocal or instrumental training from world-renowned performers and develop your performance to a professional standard. 

• Enhance your career prospects with practical skills in recording, content creation, grant writing, music business, and cultural policy. 

• Deepen your understanding of traditional Irish music’s history and style while finding and refining your own performance identity. 

• Graduates go on to perform professionally, teach, work in arts management or music tech, or pursue further study and research.