About our branch

The Bóthar na Trá/Cnoc na Cathrach (Salthill/Knocknacarra) branch of Comhaltas has been providing Irish traditional music tuition in Galway city since 2007. Prior to the branch being formed, there was no branch of Comhaltas serving Galway city and suburbs, and no opportunity for children of Galway city and surrounds to access group tuition classes in traditional Irish music at an affordable price.

It was to address this gap in the provision of music tuition in Galway city that the Salthill/Knocknacarra branch of Comhaltas was formed. Initiated by Anna Cunningham and Maurice McCafferty, the branch began giving weekly music classes in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Cappagh road. Fifty students enrolled for the first term, which was predominantly made up of children but also included adults either returning to music or taking up music for the first time. The first classes provided were in fiddle, box accordion and tin whistle. Renowned musicians Angelina Carberry (tin whistle), Martin Quinn and Marie Walsh (box accordion) were among the first tutors.

Music classes have been run by the branch every year since then, with a two year break during the pandemic. Tuition has been extended to include mandolin, flute, banjo, concertina, guitar, harp and uilleann pipes. We currently have over 150 students taking weekly classes with us.

In order to help young students decide which instrument they would like to learn, and to reduce the cost of starting to learn a musicical instrument, we have built up a bank of instruments that are available for rent by students. We currently have concertinas, fiddles, box accordions, banjos, guitars, harps and uilleann pipes available for rent each year. Priority is given to new students, and the instruments are rented out on a first come basis.

In order to provide a social aspect to music playing, and to allow the students experience the sound and 'feel' of a trad music session, monthly branch sessions are held in The Galway Bay hotel, Salthill. The sessions are hosted by branch tutors and are open to anyone learning to play Irish traditional music.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection, click here to view our branch's child protection policy. All our tutors and branch volunteers have been vetted by the National vetting bureau, proof is available on request.