Celtic Week, July 13-19, 2025
Celtic Week 2025 Catalog Section
Thanks to Jim Magill’s longstanding coordination, this program has remained the gold standard of all other Celtic music workshops. With the remarkable staff Seán Gavin has put together in his first year as Celtic Week’s new coordinator, we couldn’t be happier with him continuing that legacy and carrying it to future heights. So far, the 2025 lineup includes Mari Black (Scottish fiddle), Kevin Burke (fiddle), Anna Colliton (bodhrán), Damien Connolly (accordion and fiddle), Kevin Crawford (flute), John Doyle (session guitar, bouzouki)), Josh Dukes (DADGAD guitar and session class), Caoimhín Ó Fearghail (tin whistle), Laura Feddersen (fiddle), Michael Gavin (mandolin), Gráinne Hambly (Irish harp and concertina), Liz Hanley (Irish song and fiddle), Brian Holleran (flute), Billy Jackson (tin whistle and Scottish harp), Cathy Jordan (Irish song), Andrew Finn Magill (fiddle), Rebecca McGowan (dance), Tony McManus (fingerstyle guitar), Will MacMorran (drop D guitar and Scottish smallpipes), Jenna Moynihan (Scottish fiddle), Shane Mulchrone (banjo and mandolin), Eamon O’Leary (DADGAD), Adrienne O’Shea (tin whistle), Patrick Ourceau (fiddle), John Skelton (flute and tin whistle), and Cillian Vallely (uilleann pipes). Staff Musicians: Seamus Noonan, Joe DeGeorgeo, & Will Johnson
Celtic Week is the largest stand-alone program at the Swannanoa Gathering, bringing together musicians, dancers, and singers to celebrate the rich musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland. Set against the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, this expansive event offers a wide variety of workshops, lectures, and panel discussions while retaining the intimate, welcoming atmosphere that the Gathering is known for. This year, Celtic Week features both new and returning world-class instructors, including members of legendary groups like The Bothy Band, Lúnasa, Dervish, and many more! Evening concerts and spontaneous sessions add to the vibrant atmosphere, creating space for musical exploration. The week culminates with the legendary Thursday night ceilidh, a highlight for many. New this year, three staff musicians will provide live music for the accompaniment and dance classes, as well as enhance the concerts, sessions, and ceilidh. Celtic Week fosters a strong sense of kinship, welcoming participants of all skill levels to develop alongside each other as musicians, performers, and collaborators. It’s the best of both worlds: the excitement of a large-scale program combined with the warmth of a close-knit community. It’s a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with fellow musicians, singers, and dancers in a truly special setting. (Celtic Week classes are capped at 15 unless otherwise noted.)