Frankie Kennedy Winter School

The Frankie Kennedy Winter School was established in 1994 following Frankie’s untimely death from cancer in September of that year. The school’s mission is to continue his huge contribution to Irish traditional music, especially the music and song of Donegal.

Most of the winter school the events will take place in Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal. The scenery in this Gaelic-speaking part of the county is worth the trip alone, but for trad musicians there is much more on offer. Each year the winter school features a series of classes in various instruments and an enviable line-up of performers who take part in day-time recitals and night-time concerts.

The principal venues for the winter school include:

Dunlewey Lakeside Centre, Dún Lúiche;
Errigal Hostel, Dún Lúiche;
An Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga; and
Ionad Naomh Pádraig,Dobhar.

Contact Details

t: 00353 74 9560392	w: www.frankiekennedy.com
e: eolas[at]frankiekennedy.com	m: 00353 87 2722648

Frankie Kennedy

Frankie Kennedy was born in Belfast in 1955. He became one of Ireland’s best known traditional flute players through his work with the band Altan which he managed and founded with his partner Mairáad Ní Mhaonaigh. Frankie and Mairáad set the seeds for Altan with their ground breaking album Ceol Aduaidh on the Gael Linn label.Frankie, a naturally gifted teacher and communicator, was part of a robust wave of young Northern flute players who came to the fore in the ’70s ’80s. Like his contemporaries, Frankie drew inspiration from the older generation of Ulster musicians and singers.