Fiddlers Retreat – Irish Music and Culture Experience

Fiddlers Retreat – Ireland's Original Irish Music and Culture Experience:

The Experience

Enjoy an authentic Irish music experience at Fiddlers Retreat in Thurles, County Tipperary. Led by All-Ireland champion and experienced teacher Theresa Bourke, this small-group retreat gives you the opportunity to explore traditional Irish fiddle music in the heart of Ireland.

You'll join a group of six to ten musicians for eight hours of tuition and informal playing. The programme includes up to six hours of structured workshops, where you'll explore traditional tunes and the bowing techniques that give Irish fiddle music its distinctive character.

The retreat is suitable for upper-beginner to advanced fiddle players, with other melody players welcome by arrangement. Theresa provides individual guidance throughout the workshops, helping you explore traditional playing styles in a friendly group setting.

Your experience also includes a guided traditional Irish pub music session, where you'll enjoy local musicians playing together. Group transport to the evening session is included.

You'll stay in a private en-suite room at the four-star Anner Hotel in Thurles, with breakfast included each morning. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and sauna. Two home-cooked lunches are also included in your retreat.

What’s Included

Up to six hours of structured fiddle workshops with Theresa Bourke.
Two hours of informal playing and mentoring.
Guided traditional Irish pub music session with group transport.
Private en-suite hotel accommodation with breakfast included.
Two home-cooked lunches and learning materials.

Important Information

The retreat is designed for upper-beginner to advanced fiddle players. Other melody players may attend by arrangement. Please bring your fiddle, tuner and spare strings, along with a notebook.

Evening meals, drinks and personal purchases are not included. Travel to and from Thurles and travel insurance are also excluded.

The Weather

The workshops and organised music activities take place indoors.

Session Length

The retreat runs from Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Monday, depending on your chosen dates. The programme includes eight hours of tuition and informal playing, with three nights of hotel accommodation.

Numbers

Retreats operate with a minimum of six and a maximum of ten participants. The price is per person and includes private en-suite accommodation with no single supplement.

Spectators

Participation in the retreat requires a booking for each person.

What to Wear

Wear comfortable clothing and bring suitable footwear for exploring the local area. A rain jacket is also recommended.

Availability

Midweek retreats run from Tuesday to Friday, with weekend retreats available from Friday to Monday. Dates are subject to the supplier's retreat schedule and availability.

Locations

Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. Accommodation is provided at the Anner Hotel or an equivalent property.

Code : IREFID

Fiddlers Retreat – Ireland's Original Irish Music and Culture Experience:

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Fiddlers Retreat – Ireland's Original Irish Music and Culture Experience: Fascinating Facts

Fiddlers Retreat was established in 2005 by Theresa Bourke, musician and teacher. Having toured the world as a fiddle player with internationally renowned Irish dance shows Theresa decided the time had come to set for herself a new challenge. She loved the idea of creating a holiday concept where musicians would visit her region and get to experience a real and authentic insight into Ireland by staying with her, learning traditional Irish music in the mornings, seeing the historic and scenic sights during the afternoons and going out to the sessions at night. The Irish Fiddle and Culture Holiday was created.
On many occasions the partners of the musicians also wanted to come and enjoy the Fiddlers Retreat experience too, but without the Irish fiddle tuition. An alternative holiday packages for non-musicians was compiled. The Ireland Appreciation package was created to include an array of different activites throughout the 6 night stay. All holiday packages are designed and created specifically with you in mind and are tailor made to suit individual and group requirements. Through the varitey of activities you will be welcomed into the heart and soul of the real, country Ireland. Theresa made her dream a reality and now welcomes people from all over the world, both musicians and non-musicians.