Department of Orchestral Studies – Irish Traditional Music

Irish Traditional Music Studies

DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama has a long and distinguished reputation in Irish Traditional Music Education.  Irish Traditional Music Studies is offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels on the following programmes:

  • Foundation Certificate in Music
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Music Education
  • Master of Music in Performance Bachelor of Music
  • MPhil and PhD programmes
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Staff

  • Odhran O Casaide, Irish Traditional Music Studies Programme Leader
  • Peter Browne
  • Tom Doorley
  • Kevin Glackin
  • Grainne Hambly 
  • Kieran Hanrahan
  • Tommy Hayes
  • Seosaimhin Ní Bheaglaoich
  • Odhran O Casaide
  • Antaine Ó Faracháin
  • Michael O'Raghaillaigh
  • Gavin Ralston
  • John Regan

DIT Irish Traditional Music Ensemble

DIT Irish Traditional Music Ensemble, directed by Odhrán Ó Casaide, comprises full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students of Irish traditional music at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. The ensemble, which combines both instrumental and vocal music, was originally modelled on the pioneering work of Seán O Riada and Ceoltóirí Cualainn. Since its inauguration, the ensemble has forged its own unique sound and style drawing on the rich musical environment which surrounds it. The ensemble is fortunate in that it contains some of the finest young musical talent in Ireland today. This talent is nurtured and developed in an innovative and challenging way, resulting in musical performances and recordings which are at the forefront of the musical tradition today. 

Recent highlights include performances on RTÉ Radio 1’s Céilí House and at the National Concert Hall, and tours of Louvain, Belgium and Savannah, Georgia, USA.  They have also recorded two successful albums, Simple Philosophers and Flow my Tears (in collaboration with the DIT Early Music Ensemble.

Performance

Watch a recording of Kieran Hanrahan and the Banjo Heads (BMus Students: Niall Preston, Gavin Strappe, Ted Kelly and Michael Kerr) perform in DIT Rathmines Theatre here

Watch a recording of BMus graduate Luke Deaton perform in a Lunchtime Recital in DIT Rathmines Theatre here