Online Registration for 2026 now open, link on Home Page.
In Person Registration Mon 13th July at St Brigid’s Hall from 8.30 am.
A limited number of practice pipes available for beginners - they must be pre ordered - please add a note when registering or email us with any queries to: anseo@southsligosummerschool.com
Uilleann Pipes have been taught at the summer school from the outset, thanks in no small part to the input of two of our founder members, Geraldine Murtagh & Rita Flannery, both now sadly deceased. Rita and Geraldine had a great working relationship with Na Píobairí Uilleann down the years and they have always been supportive of our efforts to promote the instrument in this area.
The uilleann pipes are rightly considered to represent the ‘Sound of Ireland’ as outlined by Emmett Gill, Archivist with N.P.U. at our most recent summer school in 2025. Thanks to the efforts of our Piping Tutor, Leonard Barry, who teaches year round in this region and further afield, there has been a marked increase in the interest in the instrument and in the standard of playing.
Brian Gallahar was our inaugural pipes tutor at the first summer school in 1987 and for many years Brian led the way, encouraging, mentoring and sharing his deep store of knowledge of the instrument with pupils of all ages from near and far.
At our most recent summer school we had piping students from the Netherlands and Switzerland as well as from the local area and region. Our regular piping tutor Leonard Barry was ably assisted in 2025 by multi-instrumentalist Fiona Doherty.
Uilleann Pipes (All Levels) w/ Leonard Barry
Leonard, from North Kerry, but now living in Sligo, is one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipers. He has played and taught the pipes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Leonard has worked with many of Ireland’s leading singer songwriters including Luka Bloom and John Spillane. Leonard recently released a CD entitled 'New Road' with fellow Sligo musicians Seamie O'Dowd and Rick Epping and Leitrim fiddle player Andy Morrow. Thanks to his input since moving to live in Sligo in recent years, the uilleann pipes has increased in popularity in the region. Long may this continue and develop.
Uilleann Pipes (Intermediate/Adv.) w/ Leonard Barry
Leonard, from North Kerry, but now living in Sligo, is one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipers. He has played and taught the pipes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Leonard has worked with many of Ireland’s leading singer songwriters including Luka Bloom and John Spillane. Leonard recently released a CD entitled 'New Road' with fellow Sligo musicians Seamie O'Dowd and Rick Epping and Leitrim fiddle player Andy Morrow. Thanks to his input since moving to live in Sligo in recent years, the uilleann pipes has increased in popularity in the region. Long may this continue and develop.
Uilleann Pipes (Beginner/Improv.) w/Mark Dunleavy
Mark Dunleavy
Mark, from Bunnanadden, Co Sligo, is a former pupil of the South Sligo Summer School, having regularly attended Leonard Barry’s piping workshops at the school since he was a small boy. He is actively involved in his local Comhaltas branch in Ballymote where he is Youth Officer. He is a regular contributor to sessions around South Sligo. Having gained so much from the teaching and expertise of his mentor Leonard Barry during his formative playing years, Mark is delighted to now have the opportunity to share his knowledge and learning with summer school attendees who want to give the uilleann pipes a go or those who have made a start already and want to develop their playing further.