Open Air Irish trad tunes take over main street of Mayo town

On a breezy Wednesday afternoon, the streets of Westport pulsed with the unmistakable energy of traditional Irish music. 

Bridge Street, normally a bustling stretch of cafés and shops, was transformed into a vibrant open-air stage as the young musicians of the Westport Scoil Cheoil delivered a performance that was as heart warming as it was foot-tapping.

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From 2pm to 3pm, the town came alive with the sounds of harps, fiddles, tin whistles, flutes, banjos, and guitars. This showcase marked a highlight of the annual Westport Scoil Cheoil, which runs from July 14 to 18, and drew families, visitors, and locals into a collective moment of musical joy.

But the magic behind this moment stretches far beyond the hour-long performance. It is rooted in a deep passion to preserve and share traditional Irish music—and to make it accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience.

“It’s a great community feeling,” said Michelle Moran, watching with pride as her daughter performed. “The girls absolutely love it. It's just a couple of hours, and it's just pure lovely. There are tutors from all over and they're coming to share their knowledge and their love of it. It makes people happy.”

This year, over 300 students and 50 primary school teachers took part in the Scoil Cheoil. Recognised both as an Irish music summer school and an academic course, the programme draws attendees from across Ireland—and even from abroad. University students travel each year from Salzburg to immerse themselves in the trad experience.

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Not everyone grows up with the chance to sit in on a session or to learn from seasoned players. The Scoil Cheoil fills that gap, offering top-tier teaching, performance opportunities, and a chance to build confidence through music.

“We’re here to facilitate and enable people to get into Trad, provide sessions, bring them to concerts, and expose them to amazing tutors,” Dr Maura Thornton, founder and director of the Westport Scoil Cheoil said. 

And the tutors are indeed exceptional. This year’s roster included Zoe Conway and John McIntyre, described by the BBC as “the most amazing duo on the planet”, RTE’s Instrumentalist of the Year Alana Thornburgh, the renowned Lisa Canny, the celebrated Heneghan family, the Healy brothers, and Joe McNulty—all sharing their artistry with passion and generosity.

The music didn’t end with the showcase either. Sessions ran deep into the evenings.

“Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of the week, we've had amazing sessions in Charlie's at the Towers,” Dr Thornton noted. “We started playing on Tuesday night at seven, and we were thrown out at midnight.”

The Scoil Cheoil isn’t just about playing notes—it’s about building life skills. Confidence, community, and creativity are embedded into every tune.

“They’re putting themselves forward, putting themselves on a stage. They know that they’ll never go hungry because they have this skill. It really is a life skill,” Dr Thornton beams. 

That spirit was joyfully on display during the week’s busking competition featuring three categories. Dr Thornton and her daughter, the 2023 Mayo Rose of Tralee, Kate Heneghan picked the following category winners:

Rhia and Beth won for Best Musical Ability

The Amazing Bunnies were crowned Most Entertaining

The West Busking Group took home the prize for Enthusiasm and Variety

For many, the Scoil Cheoil is the highlight of the summer.

“The social side and the friendships they make would be a big part of it,” said Catherine Tighe, whose children were busking outside The Bookshop on Bridge Street. 

And for families like Bryan Renton’s—whose nieces Harriette and Florence came all the way from Navan—it’s a chance to make lasting memories.

Even parents are getting in on the act:

“I might encourage them the next time they ask me for a fiver,” joked Laura Langan. “I’ll go, ‘Take yourself down the street now and you can earn your ice cream. I'm not buying it.’”

Michelle Moran laughed in agreement: “Oh, you said it. And I hope they put their hands in their pocket now when we go up to Krēm.”

As the music fades and the instruments are packed away, one thing is clear: Westport’s Scoil Cheoil is not just about learning tunes. It’s about lighting a lifelong love of traditional music, building a sense of belonging, and keeping the rich heritage of Irish music alive—one joyful note at a time.