The Sugarloaf Sessions Flagship Festival 2026
Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland – April 24 – 26, 2026
Weekend ticket: €199.99
The Sugarloaf Sessions is a year-round learning experience for adult players of all traditional Irish music instruments who want clear structure, steady progress, and a supportive community.
Designed by Tim Doyle and Rachel Duffy, and supported by an extended team of outstanding traditional musicians, the experience focuses on purposeful session playing, curated tune learning, and confidence-building, all delivered through the TuneClub app. Whether you’re returning to music, strengthening your session skills, or looking for a more focused way to learn tunes, this is a flexible pathway that fits around real life.
Monthly Tune Drops – carefully curated audio, video, and notation, released throughout the year
Monthly Digital Meet-Ups – live online sessions to explore the tunes, ask questions, and stay on track
Community Access – supportive spaces to share progress, learn with others, and stay motivated
Monthly in-person sessions in Bray, Co. Wicklow (optional)
The Sugarloaf Sessions Festival – a separate ticketed weekend event (April 24–26, 2026), featuring classes, sessions, an opening concert, and a guided music & history walk
You can take part fully online, join selected in-person events, or do both, the choice is yours.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many tunes, unsure how to progress, or hesitant to join sessions, The Sugarloaf Sessions gives you the structure, clarity, and encouragement to play with confidence.
If you haven't already - Download the TuneClub App from the Apple App Store or Google Play and set up your profile.
Subscribe to The Sugarloaf Sessions experience.
Dive into your carefully curated learning pathway - featuring monthly Tune Drops.
Attend monthly online meet-ups, and if you can, pop along to our monthly sessions taking place in Bray. You can also chat with tutors and fellow musicians within the App, building bonds that last forever.
Unlock TuneClub Points as you learn and engage, and redeem them for perks and rewards.
Develop your confidence and fluency all year long with structured learning and regular support.
Step into The Sugarloaf Sessions festival weekend, where learning and live connection come to life (optional - additional charge applies).
Put your skills to the test in physical sessions and make memories!
The Sugarloaf Sessions is an immersive music learning experience hosted by TuneClub. It’s designed for musicians who want to learn, connect, and improve their skills through pre-event preparation, live workshops, and evening jam sessions.
The Sugarloaf Sessions festival weekend will take place April 24-26, 2026, in Bray, Co. Wicklow. https://bray.ie/
This experience is for adult musicians of all traditional Irish music instruments at improver, intermediate, and advanced levels. Please note that Festival attendance is for individuals aged 18 and over.
Download the TuneClub App on the App Store and Google Play. Search for 'The Sugarloaf Sessions' and register.
Instruments: All Traditional Irish Music Instruments; including but not limited to; Harp, Flute, Fiddle, Tenor Banjo, Concertina, Button Accordion, Piano Accordion, Uileann Pipes, Mandolin, Tin Whistle
Levels: Improver, Intermediate, and Advanced
“The TuneClub App has changed how I practice traditional music. I practise much more frequently and for longer. The points system is encouraging!”
TuneClub App User
Tim Doyle is a Dublin-based uilleann piper, violinist, composer, and music educator. He has collaborated with musicians, composers, and directors across various genres, and has worked in theatre productions, performing both scored and live-improvised music.
As an uilleann piper, Tim has toured with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, performing at state events in Cuba, Brazil, Canada, and Britain. From 2015 to 2022, he was part of the National Folk Orchestra, playing at the official commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising and for Pope Francis in 2019. He is also a festival musician for the annual ‘Sitges Live’ festival in Spain, orgainised by Artscope.
Tim holds a BA in music composition and an MPhil in Music Technology from Trinity College Dublin. His current projects include composing for traditional and contemporary classical ensembles, collaborating with the Crash Ensemble on a new piece for Uilleann pipes and electronics, and co-directing the Rithim Folk Orchestra for young musicians.
Rachel Duffy is a harper from Bray, Co. Wicklow. She has performed across Ireland and internationally at festivals in China, France, Germany, Spain, Wales, and Scotland, and has featured in numerous radio and TV broadcasts.
Dr. Robert Harvey, a seven-time All-Ireland Champion flute player, was selected by Donal Lunny for the TG4 series “Lorg Lunny,” leading to the formation of the band Ciorras and the release of their album Silver Lining.
Gerard Lord is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, mastering the banjo, guitar, and fiddle. His journey has seen him touring internationally with Eddie and George Furey of The Fureys, gracing stages across the Netherlands, the UK, and the UAE. Performing at iconic venues like Vicar Street and the Waterfront helped shape his early career and deepen his musical roots.
Fiona is a multi-instrumentalist and primary school teacher from Shankill, Co. Dublin, with a long-standing association with the CCÉ Bhré and Craobh Chualann branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Ciarán FitzGerald, from Celbridge, Co. Kildare, is a Senior Clinical Hospital Pharmacist and a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist, proficient in the flute, concertina, uilleann pipes, fiddle, and tin whistle.
A 14-time All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil champion, Ciarán has performed on the prestigious Comhaltas Tours of Ireland and the UK, for President Michael D. Higgins, and as part of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland for Pope Francis. As a dedicated music educator, Ciarán has guided numerous students to success in competitions and festivals, including eight consecutive years teaching at Scoil Éigse. In 2024, he represented Ireland as the lead delegate on a month-long cultural exchange, The Ship for World Youth, in Japan.
Dublin-born Claire Sherry’s passion for music ignited at a young age, propelling her into a distinguished career as a versatile musician. An accomplished player of many instruments, Claire excels in the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and viola.
Sibéal Davitt is a dance artist, performer and teacher from Dublin. Her style of dance is influenced by contemporary, classical and Irish traditional sean-nós dance, having trained in all styles from an early age.
Flagship Festival Weekend
April 24 –26, 2026
Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
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