Train in Irish step dance, ceili, sean nos, and more at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (IWA) this summer! This two-week intensive is structured into a series of classes on practical dance skills and choreography, along with special workshops in traditional sets, and much more, giving students an appreciation of both competition and show step styles. While the emphasis will be on practical instruction, students will also gain an understanding of the history and development of Irish dance, right in the heart of where it was developed! All training occurs in the beautiful IWA facilities on the banks of the River Shannon, and you will be invited to participate in nightly traditional jam sessions in the campus pub.
To download a sample timetable for this summer’s training, please click here.
To download a comprehensive list of Blas dance instructors, please click here. Note that final instructors will be chosen closer to the program’s start date.
“During my time at the Blas Summer School, I had one of the best experiences of my life. I made friendships and connections that will last a life time, I learned about traditional Irish music and dance, and I got the chance to work with some of the best Irish musicians and tutors out there.”
Jared CollerThe O Rourke School of Irish Dancing is a dance studio for beginner students on to competition level dancers. The studio offers Irish dancing lessons, tours performance competitors, and has a deeply rooted place in Limerick history. The school has locations in Limerick and Clare Ireland.
Dance Limerick is an organization for professional dance in Limerick and beyond aimed to providing citizens with resources to further their dance knowledge and skill set. Through performances, talks, classes, workshops, projects and residencies, Dance Limerick provides opportunities for dance to be created, experienced and discussed in many ways, by all ages.
Part of the University of Limerick, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is a creative space for musicians, dancers, and artists of all types. The academy hosts events and performances for the public and university community.
The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is the pinnacle of performance and academic excellence housed at the University of Limerick. Founded in 1994 by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, the academy has come to find its true home on the beautiful banks of the River Shannon in a state of the art building, which includes two theatres, a recording studio, and individual dance studios, providing an inspiring creative space for all who study there.
Limerick is Ireland’s third largest city with the cultural excitement of a metropolis and the charm of a town. Named as Ireland’s 2014 National City of Culture, the easygoing city will captivate you with its surrounding bright green landscape, friendly residents, and historical buildings. Explore ancient castles, walk along the River Shannon, or spend the day in Limerick’s modern downtown. Limerick is an artistic center with countless venues for Irish music and dance as well as a rich history. The city’s mild weather makes it easy to take advantage of the old world pubs, delicious restaurants, and many sports venues. Limerick is the perfect starting point from which to explore Ireland’s West and Southwest regions. Within driving distance of the city are the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Fold Park, Adare, Killarney, and the incredible scenery of Galway.
On-campus accommodation is provided in the magnificent Cappavilla Student Village on the banks of the River Shannon, and only a brief walk away from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Participants will have single rooms in a six-bedroom house. Houses are integrated with international and local students living together, meaning you will have the chance to make Irish friends as well as meet students from other countries. Included in the cost of housing are shared amenities of a fully equipped kitchen, living room, internet, cable TV, and in each bedroom a bed, desk, and wardrobe. Each room is single occupancy with a double bed and private bathroom.
Village management lives on site and is on call 24 hours a day. They are committed to making your living situation a positive one, and with years of experience hosting new and international students they can help you with any problems that may arise from homesickness to housemates.
Summer facilities in Cappavilla student village include:
You will have your own single room, but your suitemates will be fellow participants training in the summer program. PAA usually has a cohort of around a dozen participants who join a larger group of 30-40 students for the training.
“Blas” means “taste” in Irish Gaelic, and this program gives you the opportunity to focus on training in a variety of Irish traditional dance styles, while getting a “taste” of instruments and singing, depending on your secondary interests. You have full control over your masterclass schedule, and can choose from dance or any number of instruments offered, along with singing. The first few days of the program will be spent with our Site Director, John, exploring Limerick and the region of Ireland where it is situated. Then you will be handed off to our Program Director, Pam (a specialist in Irish dance herself), who will get you oriented to the intensive training program. Once the training starts, your days will be packed from early in the morning to late at night with traditional Irish dance and music. The weekend between the two weeks of training is meant for relaxing and a full-day excursion where you will visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher, along with other famous landmarks in the region.
You will book a flight to arrive at Shannon Airport (SNN) before 10:00 a.m. on the arrival day. You will be greeted by our Site Director, John, who will transport you to your housing at the University of Limerick before taking you on a campus orientation walking tour to familiarize you with the place you will call home for the next 17 days. You will then meet at an on-campus pub called The Stables Bar and take a bus to the city centre of Limerick for a walking tour and welcome meal. After the meal, you will see other areas of Limerick including King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Time will be allotted for shopping to pick up anything you may have forgotten, and to get a local SIM card for your phone. After enjoying coffee to keep you awake after a long day, you will return to campus to settle in to your room and get a good night’s sleep.
The following day, you will join the group for a day-long excursion to Lough Gur and the town of Kilmallock. On Saturday, you will have a relaxed “food tour” of downtown Limerick, including a visit to the wonderful milk market to try local specialties. Sunday is the last day before your rigorous training schedule begins, and you will have the day free to enjoy the campus and town, and do whatever you need to prepare.
A typical day on the Blas training program includes the following components:
To download a sample timetable for this summer’s training, please click here.
To download a comprehensive list of Blas dance instructors, please click here. Note that final instructors will be chosen closer to the program’s start date.
Now in its 22nd year, the Blas program is offered by the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at The University of Limerick. Located in one of the most beautiful and vibrant artistic communities in Ireland, Limerick has consistently been named one of the emerald isle’s best places to visit, and was named the 2014 Irish National City of Culture. The University has been hosting international students who want to be immersed into culture for years, and prides itself on the welcome atmosphere it offers. The Irish World Academy is renowned as a place to “break new ground, to find your own voice, to rediscover older sounds and gestures or to reinvent received traditions,” and the Blas program is a unique and prestigious opportunity.
Because Blas is run out of the University of Limerick, you have the option to receive an academic transcript for 3 credits. Your Program Coordinator will ask you if you are interested in this option during your application interview.
The information on this page provides details for a sample group program. Note that every group is different, and we will work with you to cater the experience to your group. To connect with us and begin organizing a program for your group, please follow the “Get Started’ button below and submit an initial questionnaire. We will then contact you to set up a discovery call where we can go into more detail about your group’s needs and what we can offer.
Train in Irish step dance, ceili, sean nos, and more at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (IWA) this summer! This two-week intensive is structured into a series of classes on practical dance skills and choreography, along with…
Train in Irish step dance, ceili, sean nos, and more at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (IWA) this summer! This two-week intensive is structured into a series of classes on practical dance skills and choreography, along with…
Train in Irish step dance, ceili, sean nos, and more at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (IWA) this summer! This two-week intensive is structured into a series of classes on practical dance skills and choreography, along with…
Train in Irish step dance, ceili, sean nos, and more at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (IWA) this summer! This two-week intensive is structured into a series of classes on practical dance skills and choreography, along with…
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