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Irish Music & Banjo Courses
— Get Session Ready
The Ultimate Irish Session Starter Course
From Your Living Room to a Galway Pub - Master the Irish Session
40 Individual Tune Lessons in Stave, TAB, ABC and Chord Charts
15 Play Along Session Sets at Slow & Intermediate Tempos
Played by world class musicians, recorded at The Crane Bar, Galway
This course lets you experience playing along with real an Irish session, in a famous Irish pub with some of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians.
Galway is the cultural heart of Ireland, fondly known as "Session City." Every night, the pubs here hum with the rhythm of reels and jigs. But walking into a session as an outsider can be intimidating. This course is your "backstage pass" to the heart of Irish music, giving you the repertoire and the confidence to pull up a chair and join in.
What’s Inside the Course?
We’ve curated a powerhouse library of 40 essential tunes, specifically chosen because they are the bread and butter of Irish sessions. If you know these, you can play anywhere.
The Repertoire: Comprehensive lessons for Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Barndances, Slip Jigs, and Hop Jigs.
The Galway Standards: These aren't obscure tracks; they are the tunes seasoned musicians across Ireland know by heart.
The Crane Bar Experience: We went to the world-famous Crane Bar in Galway to record an authentic live session. You aren't just practicing to a metronome; you’re practicing with a real live Irish session.
Session Sets: Learn how tunes are naturally grouped together in a real environment.
Dual Tempos: Every set is recorded at Slow (for learning) and Moderate (for flow) speeds.
Play-Along Mastery: Gradually build your pace until you’re ready to hold your own with the locals.
Fully Notated Lessons & Sessions: Stave, ABC, TAB, Chord Names - everything you need to learn and play along
Build Your Confidence, Step-by-Step. No more "deer in the headlights" moments. We’ve structured the practice sessions to help you learn the tunes, find your rhythm, join the session.
The session sets feature top level Irish musicians:
Enda Scahill - banjo // Mairin Fahy - fiddler (Ex-Riverdance) // Steph Geremia - flute // Georga Grasso - uileann pipes // Cullen Vance - guitar // Paul McClure - bodhran
80 Tunes To Win Banjo
Competitions
This course features 80 reels, jigs, and hornpipes expertly arranged and performed by some of Ireland’s most accomplished traditional musicians.
Each tune is crafted with clear technique, stylistic accuracy, and competitive performance in mind — giving young banjo players the exact musical tools they need to excel in high-level solo competitions.
Meet the players
Ademar O’Connor
A 23-time All-Ireland Champion, Ademar O’Connor brings unmatched insight into what makes a winning performance. His deep understanding of ornamentation, rhythm, tune choice, and regional style gives students an authentic model to follow. His playing emphasises clarity, confidence, and precision — the very qualities adjudicators listen for in senior and junior banjo competitions.
Elaine Reilly
Elaine Reilly is widely recognised throughout the traditional Irish music world as a master musician, educator, and stylist. Her playing is known for its elegance, control, and beautifully nuanced ornamentation — qualities that set her apart as one of the most refined banjo players of her generation. Elaine’s decades of teaching experience give her an extraordinary ability to break down phrasing, technique, and tune shaping in a way that young musicians can immediately apply to their own playing. Her sensitivity, finesse, and attention to musical detail make her one of the most sought-after banjo tutors in Ireland today.
Enda Scahill
Enda Scahill is a four-time All-Ireland Champion and the recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize, one of the highest international honours in banjo performance. Best known for his groundbreaking work with We Banjo 3, Enda has been a leading force in shaping the modern sound of Irish tenor banjo. His innovative approach has introduced several new techniques to the tradition, expanding both the expressive and technical possibilities of the instrument.
Renowned for his flamboyant, highly expressive playing, Enda brings a powerful storytelling quality to every tune. His ornamentation is bold yet precise, rooted in the traditional style but elevated through a distinctive personal flair that has influenced a generation of players. As both a performer and educator, he blends technical mastery with warmth, clarity, and a deep commitment to helping students develop their own musical voice.
Karen Dolan
Karen Dolan is celebrated for her powerful rhythmic drive and her ability to bring out the natural lift and swing of Irish dance music. As both a performer and an educator, she has built a strong reputation for helping young players find confidence, consistency, and individuality in their music. Karen’s teaching style combines warmth with high standards, guiding students to develop strong technique, expressive ornamentation, and rock-solid rhythm — three essential pillars of successful competition performance. Her extensive experience working with youth musicians makes her an invaluable contributor to this course.
Irish Banjo Courses
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