The organising committee of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy claims the 2025 edition of the festival was one of the busiest in years.
The dust is settling on the 53rd iteration of the traditional Irish music event, which consumed Miltown Malbay and surrounding parts of West Clare yet again last week.
When first established in 1973 to honour the legacy of the town’s legendary uilleann piper, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy was the only event of its kind in the traditional Irish music calendar.
More than five decades on, summer schools, workshops, festivals and programmes of concerts are numerous throughout the year but this has had no harmful impact on the Willie Week’s popularity.
This year’s event saw workshops across the majority of instruments and levels at full capacity, while free seats were scarce at recitals and lectures.
Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy Administrator, Harry Hughes says the level of interest being shown by younger people is an indicator that the festival’s future is secure.
With temperatures nearing 30 degrees most days and the rain staying at bay, thousands packed into Miltown Malbay last week to sample the atmosphere, giving businesses a welcome boost.
Tony Cogan of Cogan’s Bar and Restaurant claims business in his establishment was up 10% on last year.
He says the offering of the summer school is so varied, there’s little need to cross the threshold of a pub.
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