Siamsa Tíre operates two Folk Academies, one in Carraig in West Kerry (Teach Siamsa na Carraige), the other in Finuge in North Kerry. Children from the age of 7 to 12 are trained in the unique Siamsa tradition of music, dance, drama and song, with a view to becoming members of the Community Cast at Siamsa Tíre. Classes take place weekly from October to May. A fee per terms applies.
Successful candidates will receive formal classes in traditional Irish song, dance, music and mime at the Tithe Siamsa each week. Following a period of three years free tuition, the pupils will have an opportunity to become members of the performing company of Siamsa Tíre as well as receiving additional training in Tralee on a weekly basis.
Students who have completed the training offered by Siamsa Tíre have gone on to achieve national and international success as performers. Some have toured with Riverdance and other dance productions such as Michael Flatley’s, The Celtic Tiger. Others, like Sarah Jane Drummey and Helena Brosnan have carved out careers on the stage in drama and musical theatre. A significant number of graduates from the course have completed the BA in Folk Theatre Studies in conjunction with the Institute of Technology in Tralee.
Auditions take place annually in September. Full details of audition dates and times will be published on this site in August. Those auditioning would need to demonstrate some previous interest in Irish music and/or dance, as this training is not for complete beginners.
How to get to Teach Siamsa Finuge from Tralee:
From Tralee take the N69 road for Listowel. Approximately 22 kilometres (or 14 miles) along this road, there is a turn to the left for Finuge village. Teach Siamsa is on the left hand side in the middle of the village, almost opposite the Sean McCarthy thatched cottage.
How to get to Teach Siamsa na Carraige from Tralee:
From Tralee, take the N86 road for Dingle (approximately 40 kilometres). Drive through Dingle and at the roundabout on exiting Dingle, take a left turn over Milltown bridge. On the other side of the bridge, take a right turn for Baile ‘n Fheirtéaraigh or Ballyferriter. Follow this road (R559), over the hill and down into the village of Muiríoch, turn right here and approximately 1 mile further on you will enter the village of Carrig, with an unusual stone church on the right hand side. Pass the shop on the right and Teach Siamsa na Carraige is on your left hand side.
