Clonakilty International Guitar Festival are proud to present a programme of workshops, masterclasses and seminars from some of the world’s best performers and experts, giving us mere mortals a glimpse of the methods and techniques which make them so successful. This year’s educational programme will take place in the unique and charming location of the studio at Allegro Music shop, an airy converted loft overlooking Spillers Lane, right in the heart of Clonakilty town.

All workshops unless stated are €7/€5 for students and unwaged. Special deal of €14/€10 (students and unwaged) gets you into all ticketed workshops. The John Feeley masterclass is limited to a small number of participants with experience in classical guitar, however it is free to view the masterclass as a non-participant.

Saturday 17th September

2pm: Ukule-le-Chéile
Drop in and learn to play the world’s easiest instrument: the ukulele! Free and open to all, just bring your uke!

3pm: Richard Gilewitz
Gilla-Camp
The return of the much loved Gilla-Camp from the genial fingerstyle maestro. Pick up some tips, and perhaps some free goodies from Richard’s sponsors

4pm: Steve Cooney
Never a dull moment as the gold-plated trad legend shares his philosophy on accompanying Irish traditional music on the guitar.

5pm: George Lowden (Luthier)
Seminar (FREE)
One of the world’s most respected and successful Luthiers discusses the art and artifice of guitar making as he sees it, and brings a number of his exquisite guitars to illustrate the talk.

Sunday 18th September

1pm: John Feeley
Classical Guitar Masterclass
(free for observers, €10 participants: contact 0879413348 to book a place)
John Feeley, Ireland’s greatest classical guitarist will give short individualized lessons to young guitarist, giving them the benefit of his years of expertise.

2.30pm: John Spillane
Songwriting Workshop
Always packed, you may want to book this one. John leads you through the songwriting process from concept to performance me