An exceptional lineup of instructors will teach including such great musicians as Michael Black (singing), Kevin Burke (fiddle), Tom Creegan (uilleann pipes), Grainne Hambly (harp), Oisin Mac Diarmada (fiddle), Darren Maloney (tenor banjo), Sean McElwain (guitar), John McEvoy (fiddle), John Nolan (button accordion), and John Wynne (flute). They will be joined by other respected teachers from throughout the U.S. including Anna Colliton (bodhran), Ken Fleming (mandolin), Kendall Rogers (piano), Mark Kenneth (piano accordion), Daniel Lowery (whistle), Gordon McLeod (fiddle), Jeff Moore (guitar), Larre Reeves (flute & whistle), Eric Ryan-Johnson (fiddle), and Chris Smith (bouzouki).  Check out all of their bios at INSTRUCTORS.

We offer two 90-minute classes each day in fiddle, flute, whistle, guitar, piano, bodhran, harp, uilleann pipes, button accordion (C#/D & B/C), piano accordion, tenor banjo, bouzouki, mandolin and singing. Enrichment classes teaching Irish music history or exploring Irish music today will also be offered each day.  Additionally, daily workshops presenting music theory, use of ABCs (cyber notation), playing pain free, learning by ear, and basic sound system operation will be available.  For youth ages 6-10, we offer a “Kids FUN Camp.”   The kids camp offers an introduction to Irish music and will include games, arts and crafts, singing, instrumental instruction, folk dancing, and storytelling. Youth 11 and older may attend our regular classes. Check out our classes at CLASSES and the schedules.

A variety of lodging options on campus will be available from Thursday evening through Sunday night including cottages, motel rooms, dorm beds, RV spaces and tent camping.  Meals will be offered Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast for $8.50 each.  The retreat will offer a shuttle service to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport for $15 per trip each way per person.  Check out our lodging choices and pricing at LODGING.

Class Times Changed
We’ve altered the class time periods each day to finish earlier each day.  The schedule will be as follows:  breakfast at 8:30-9:30 a.m.; the first morning class at 10-11:30 p.m.; an enrichment class from 12-1 p.m.; lunch from 1-2 p.m.; the afternoon class from 2:30-4 p.m.; Tune Tussle rehearsal or other workshops from 4:30-5:30 p.m.; dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m.; and instructor concerts beginning earlier at 7 p.m.  See the Retreat Schedules at the top of the CLASSES page.

Ages Have Changed
The regular class program at the retreat is now for students ages 11 and older.  We encourage younger students to enroll in our Kids FUN Camp (ages 6-10).  The only means by which a younger student may participate in classes is to submit a recording of the child’s playing and a reference letter from a music teacher assessing their ability and good behavior in class.  Because we primarily have adults attending the retreat, we think this is the best way to go.  Also, we offer an O'Flaherty Irish Music Youth Camp  on July 12-13 that is just for kids and would be more appropriate for younger students. 

NEW Kids FUN Camp
Building on our kids program from last year, we have decided to offer structured childcare that is “pay as you go.”  The program will include fun activities for kids ages 6-10 and be held from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.  Activities include music, singing, dancing, arts & crafts, field trips at the camp, games and more.  Cost is $3 per hour per child up to a family maximum cost of $6 per hour.  We also plan to offer child sitting services during the concerts at the same rates.

NEW Guitar Program
Beginning with this year’s retreat, we will offer an Irish Guitar Fundamentals course and another course focusing on a particular tuning as taught by a guest instructor.  This year, Jeff Moore will teach the fundamentals course which will explore rhythms on DADGAD, dropped-D and standard tunings.  Sean McElwain, the exciting guitarist of Teada, will teach a course solely on DADGAD guitar.

Tune & Song Tussle Changed
A change from last year, we will have two “official” rehearsals instead of three for those interested in participating in this year’s Tune & Song Tussle.  However, you are encouraged to find other times to work on your performances with your ensembles.  If you can find a meeting room that’s not being used, you are welcomed to use it.  For details about this friendly competition, go to TUSSLE.

Enrichment Classes Reduced to One Hour
Our enrichment classes will now be held 12-1 p.m. each day and reduced from 90 minutes to one hour.  All of our guest instructors have issued a hearty “amen to that.”