April 25 –27, 2025
Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
The Sugarloaf Sessions is a festival designed for adult learners of traditional Irish music who want structure, support, and community to help them grow. Whether you’re returning to music after a break, looking to build confidence in sessions, or eager to learn curated tune sets, this experience is for you.
Our renowned traditional musicians and the TuneClub app provide structured learning pathways, practice tools, and tune sets to help you prepare. The festival features our signature TuneClub (Goldilocks) session, designed by Liz Doherty, each evening—paced just right to ensure you feel comfortable and engaged.
You’ll join a supportive group of musicians at your level, working together to refine your skills in a friendly, immersive environment. Created by Tim Doyle and Rachael Duffy, supported by technology from TuneClub, and featuring expert tutor guidance from Liz Doherty and her I Teach Trad methodology, The Sugarloaf Sessions will transform your session experience.
This festival is for adult learners with at least two years of playing experience who are keen to play in sessions and eager to improve. It’s ideal for those feeling overwhelmed by the volume of tunes, nervous about joining sessions, or looking for a structured way to advance. Small group learning ensures personalised support, and participants will work on thoughtfully curated tune sets to build confidence and fluency. Join a supportive learning environment and take your playing to the next level.
New!! Couch to 5 Tunes – Tin Whistle This learning pathway is designed for absolute beginners who have never played the tin whistle before. No prior experience is needed—just bring your whistle and a willingness to learn!
Reserve your spot for your chosen instrument and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Access the TuneClub App and start your learning journey.
Dive into carefully curated learning pathways.
Chat with tutors and fellow musicians, building bonds before the festival.
Unlock TuneClub Points as you learn and engage—redeem for festival perks and rewards.
Arrive prepared, confident, and ready to take your playing to the next level.
Step into The Sugarloaf Sessions, where learning and live connection come to life!
Put your skills to the test in live sessions and make memories
The Sugarloaf Sessions will take place April 25-27, 2025, in Bray, Co. Wicklow. https://bray.ie/
This event is primarily for musicians at intermediate level. We are also running a tin whistle workshop for complete beginners. Please note that attendance is for individuals aged 18 and over.
You can sign up on our website. Early Bird tickets are available for €150, so grab yours while they last!
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.
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. Liz Doherty is a passionate and award-winning educator with over 30 years of experience teaching traditional music worldwide—in schools, universities, festivals, and communities.
A respected academic, Liz holds a BMus from University College Cork and a PhD from the University of Limerick. She is the author, editor, and contributor to over 50 works on Irish music, Cape Breton traditions, and arts education. As a celebrated fiddle player and recording artist, Liz has performed on over 20 recordings, including with String Sisters, Nomos, and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Beyond teaching and performing, Liz is a sought-after arts consultant, festival producer, and entrepreneur, winning the Best Innovation Award from Local Enterprise office in 2021 for her work in advancing traditional music education.
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.
Dan Gurney, born in upstate New York to artist parents, first picked up an accordion by chance in a toy store while Micho Russell was playing close by. He learned Irish music from Galway-born concertina player Father Charlie Coen.
After graduating from Harvard University in 2009, he lived in Galway playing with the likes of Dolores Keane, Johnny Ringo McDonagh, and Brian Mc Grath.
He has appeared on Public Radio International, at the International Accordion Festivall, and has even
appeared on Broadway. Dan has made five albums, with a new one on the way. He is now a proud Bray resident along with his wife and kids. Find out more at
https://dangurney.net
Caitríona is an Irish singer rooted in the rich tapestry of traditional music and song. From a young age she immersed herself in the tradition and has since won several All Ireland Fleadh singing titles and represented the culture and language of Ireland across the world.
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.
Claire O’Donnell is an acclaimed Irish harpist, celebrated for her expertise on both the Celtic and orchestral harp. Born into a musical family in County Wicklow, Claire was immersed in Irish music from a young age, which led to scholarships studying at prestigious institutions like the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Conservatoire National de Musique in France, and the Guildhall School of Music in London. She holds First Class Honours and a Masters in Music from TU Dublin.
Mike King hails from Monagea, in West Limerick and plays flute and tin whistle. Growing up in the heart of Sliabh Luachra he was hugely influenced by his teacher and concertina virtuoso, Tim Collins, along with the techniques and traditional flute styles of Garry Shannon, Kevin Crawford and Matt Molloy. He complements a traditional style with a hugely energetic array of flute techniques in his playing.
April 25 –27, 2025
Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
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