About
Creative Tradition was established in 2013 as a non-profit organization to support people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to learn Irish traditional music. We currently lead several music education projects throughout Cork City, in schools and the wider community.
We currently teach over 400 young people in our primary school programmes, while many more learn with us in Club Ceoil Knocknaheeny and Blarney, including teenagers and adults of all ages. We believe that providing a variety of pathways into the world of traditional music is the most fun, inclusive, effective, and holistic way of passing on Irish traditional music. Lifelong learning and music-making is at the heart of what we do.
Creative Tradition provides informal, social outlets, in addition to the more formal modes of learning in classes and through notation via our resources and publications. We host a variety of activities – from workshops, to music sessions, ensembles, recitals and concerts – to suit the diversity of our learners.
Founded by Dr Jessica Cawley, Creative Tradition’s programme is based on research conducted at UCC from 2009-2019. The project has been made possible, thanks to all our students, schools, and supporters in Music Generation, Cork City Council, and the Arts Council.
Meet our Musical Team
-
Dr Jessie Cawley
Co-ordinator, teacher of tin whistle, flute, grúpa cheoil, & early years programme
-
Paul Clesham
Fiddle, concertina & accordion teacher
-
Conor O'Sullivan
Banjo, mandolin & guitar teacher
-
Joe Philpott
Guitar, singer, songwriting, early years teacher
-
Frances Curran
Banjo, mandolin, tin whistle teacher, session circle leader
-
Jason Turk
Grúpa Cheoil, Club Ceoil Knocknaheeny tutor
-
Sorcha de Róiste
Sean-nós singing, flute, tin whistle teacher
-
Alan Finn
Fiddle, accordion, concertina teacher