Bantry hosts song-writing workshop

Attention, budding musicians old and young!

Folk band Ye Vagabonds are hosting a special workshop next week, offering young songwriters the chance to hone their craft.

The five day group workshop takes place as part of the West Cork Literary Festival, which takes place this year from 12-19 July in venues around Bantry.

Running from 15-19 July, Ye Vagabonds’ workshop is tailored to those with an understanding of basic musical principles, and will look at approaches to writing original material, as well as arranging traditional songs through different exercises and methods. Although it will be better suited to those who understand rhythm and play an instrument, the workshop is open to all, including mature youngsters and immature oldsters!

Participants will be asked to take part in individual and group work, engage in playful activities and work on their songs in their own time if they wish. The course will provide ample source material for traditional songs including books and recordings. An array of musical instruments, noise makers and some other useful tools will also be provided.

Ye Vagabonds are Carlow brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn. Since moving to Dublin in 2012, the duo have been active in the live music and session scene in Ireland, playing their own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and America. They released their second album ‘The Hare’s Lament’ earlier this year.

This year’s West Cork Literary Festival includes a series of workshops, readings, family and young adult events, with a line-up featuring Mary Robinson, Graham Norton, Tracey Thorn, Kevin Barry, Anne Carson, Tana French and more.

The workshop runs daily from 9.30am-12.30pm from Monday 15 to Friday 19 July at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí. The course fee is €200 and booking is now open on westcorkliteraryfestival.ie.

For more information phone 027-52788/9.