I’m part of a group of fiddle teachers from America. We are considering bringing teens to the Joe Mooney Summer Camp. 25-30 Adults and teens. Is there anyone that is willing to share advice about this camp? And particular considerations for housing and meals? This is a big undertaking and we want to be well prepared. Any advice is appreciated!
Thank you!
I’ll leave it to others to give you specific information on accommodation etc., as it is some years since I have been there – and I have only ever been as an individual. With a group that size, however, I think it would be wise to send a message via the website to the organisers well in advance, as they might be able to help with making arrangements or, at least, put you in touch with the right people.
In case of any illusion, I would like to point out that it calls itself a ‘summer school’ as such, board and lodgings normally need to be organised independently (you are probably aware of this anyway) – not quite as stratightforward as a ‘summer camp’, where everything is contained within one site.
Drumshanbo is a small, rural town with a population of just under 1,000 in a county with the smallest population in Ireland (around 30,000). I don’t know how many people attend the festival, but the majority are under eighteen and live in Leitrim or adjacent counties. However, it does also attract musicians and singers from other EU countries and the UK.
There is accommodation available, but this tends to get booked up well in advance. Considering that 2019 saw the last festival, my guess would be that most accommodation for 2022 has already been reserved. The self-catering options listed in the festival’s accommodation options for 2019 are largely beyond walking distance from Drumshanbo, so you’d need to hire cars (best done at the airport of your arrival) to ferry students back and forth.
I would strongly recommend contacting one of the festival organisers to discuss possibilities.