Irish Traditional Music Performance

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8,) with at least a 2.2 (second class honours, grade 2) in a relevant or appropriate subject.

• The university will audition and interview all applicants.

• Applicants may be required to submit additional audio visual and/or written material.

• Applicants should prepare three contrasting sets (at least two tunes) of traditional music, and one should be a set of reels.

• Singers will need to prepare three contrasting songs that demonstrate the scope of their style and repertoire.

Other Entry Considerations:

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme.

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.

Months of entry

September

Course content

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.

• 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.

Information for international students

• Postgraduate Entry Requirements for International Students
• English Language Requirements

Email ULGlobal@ul.ie for further information.

Fees and funding

• Scholarships for International Students
• Sports Scholarships

Assessment