Making Music in Limerick: The Music Network Teaching Residency

June - September 2026
County Limerick

A shared learning opportunity for County Limerick residents aged 60 and over, presented by Music Network, Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable and Limerick Arts Office.

Music Network, Lime Tree Theatre and Limerick Arts Office and inviting Limerick Residents aged 60 and over to join an exciting traditional music project with renowned Musicians Derek Hickey (accordion), Tara Breen (fiddle) and Tommy Hayes (Bodhrán).

The focus of this project is on returning to playing an instrument and sharing the joy of group music-making. Participants will receive tuition from the trio on accordion, fiddle or bodhrán from June to September 2026. Tuition is free of charge and instruments can be provided if necessary for the duration of the project.

Applicants mych be aged 60 or over, resident in County Limerick, and have previous experience of playing music. You don't need to be able to read music to take part. The project will be based at Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick, V94 4D85.

Applications are now open and the closing date for applications is 2pm on Friday 5 June.

Project Details

Between 17 June and 16 September 2026, participants will receive eight one-to-one instrumental lessons with the relevant musician, in addition to 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 the music learned during the project. As well as playing together, the participants will enjoy three informal coffee sessions which will include chats on wide-ranging musical topics.

Please note, participants must be available on all of the dates listed.

Places are limited to 15. Priority will be given on a first come first served basis, however additional criteria that will be taken into account for selection include availability of teaching slots, geographical spread throughout the county, availability of instruments, playing experience and ability to partake in the full programme.

Project Dates (June - September 2026):

*For individual instrumental lessons 1-8, participants will each be allocated a 40 minute slot within the time frames set out below. Introductory session, group lessons, coffee sessions and ensemble sessions involve all participants for the full duration.

All events will take place at Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick, V94 4D85

Wednesday, 17-Jun, 10-11am - Introductory session (everyone together)
Wednesday, 17-Jun, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 1
Wednesday, 24-Jun, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 2
Wednesday, 01-Jul, 10-11.30am - Group lesson 1 (everyone in their tutor groups)
Wednesday, 01-Jul, 11.30am-1pm - Coffee Session 1 (everyone together)
Wednesday, 08-Jul, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 3
Wednesday, 15-Jul, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 4
Wednesday , 22-Jul, 10-11.30am - Group lesson 2 (everyone in their tutor groups)
Wednesday , 22-Jul, 11.30am-1pm - Coffee Session 2 (everyone together)
Wednesday , 29-Jul, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 5
Wedneday, 05-Aug, 10am-3pm - Individual lesson 6
Wednesday, 12-Aug, 10-3pm - Individual lesson 7
Wednesday, 19-Aug, 10-11.30am - Group lesson 3 (everyone in their tutor groups)
Wednesday, 19-Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Coffee Session 3(everyone together)
Wednesday, 26-Aug, 10-3pm - Lesson 8
Wednesday, 02-Sept, 12-3pm - Ensemble 1 (everyone together). This session will take place at Belltable, 69 O'Connell St, Prior's-Land, Limerick, V94 FK0H
Wednesday, 09-Sept, 12-3pm - Ensemble 2 (everyone together)
Wednesday, 16-Sept, 12-3pm - Ensemble 3 (everyone together)