Residents of County Limerick aged 60 and over are invited to pick up instruments they used to play and start playing again with the help of Making Music in Limerick, a traditional music teaching residency, a partnership between Music Network, Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable and Limerick Arts Office, supported by The Heritage Council
The project is focused on helping participants return to playing an instrument and share the joy of group music-making. It provides participants with free tuition from professional musicians, access to instruments for the duration of the programme and opportunities to connect and learn with other budding musicians through traditional Irish music along the way.
Participants will receive tuition on accordion, fiddle and bodhrán with renowned musicians Derek Hickey (accordion), Tara Breen (fiddle) and Tommy Hayes (bodhrán).
Applications for the teaching residency, which will run from 16th June to 16th September 2026, are now invited. Participants in the project will receive eight one-to-one lessons and three group lessons with others playing the same instrument. The project will conclude with three large ensemble sessions, where all participants will join together with the professional musicians to play music learned during the project. As well as playing together, participants will meet for coffee sessions and chats on wide-ranging musical topics and more.
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Applicants must be aged 60 or over, resident in County Limerick, and have some previous experience of playing music on one of the listed instruments. You don’t need to be able to read music to join in. The project will be based in two locations:
- Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick, V94 4D85
- Belltable, 69 O’Connell St, Prior’s-Land, Limerick, V94 FK0H
Director of Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable Louise Donlon said: “We are delighted to be working with Music Network and Limerick Arts Office on this great initiative.”
Speaking about their support of the project Etain McCooey Limerick Arts Officer said: “I am delighted to work with Music Network and Lime Tree Theatre| Belltable to bring this wonderful residency programme of traditional music teaching to Limerick. The residency will give the opportunity to people over 60 to reconnect with their love of traditional music and to avail of the expertise of the world class musicians selected by Music Network as tutors for the programme. I am looking forward to hearing the tunes and performances, and the stories of the participants, as they return to playing and re-engage with our rich musical heritage.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “We’re excited to announce the call out for this our first Teaching Residency in partnership with Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable and Limerick Arts Office. Following on from our previous residencies in other areas of the country, it will give people in Limerick the opportunity to rekindle their love of learning and playing music. We warmly welcome Derek, Tara and Tommy on board, who we know will skilfully guide and inspire participants, given their vast musical knowledge and expertise.”
Places on the residency are limited to 15. Priority will be given on a first come first served basis, however additional criteria used for selection include availability of teaching slots, previous playing experience, geographical spread throughout the county and ability to partake in the full programme.
Participants must be available on all project dates; a full list of dates is available on Music Network’s website.
You can find out more about the project and apply to take part at www.musicnetwork.ie or by calling Claire Austen on 083 095 5956.
The closing date for applications for Making Music in Limerick: The Music Network Teaching Residency is 2pm on Friday 5 June.
Making Music in Limerick: The Music Network Teaching Residency is presented by Music Network in partnership with Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable and Limerick City and County Council Arts Office, supported by The Heritage Council.
