BODHRÁN EXPLORERS: IMMERSION DAY
SATURDAY 12th December 2026 ** Fully Booked! Join Waiting-list Below **
I’m delighted to introduce a full-day workshop as part of the Bodhrán Explorers series — designed for intermediate and advanced players who are ready to take a deeper dive into their playing.
This Immersion Day is an extended, intensive version of Bodhrán Explorers — giving us the time and space to really explore the instrument in a musical, practical, and collaborative way.
Building on the themes explored in our first three Immersion Days, this session will focus on another hugely important aspect of bodhrán playing:
Build, Shape & Play – Developing Patterns to Fit the Tune
Building an accompaniment brings together two distinct skills: planning ahead and improvising in the moment. Together, we’ll explore how these work hand in hand — developing patterns and ideas we can draw on, while remaining ready to respond to what we hear.
We’ll discover how to shape our accompaniment as a tune evolves, adapting our patterns, accents, tone and space to reflect changes in the music’s character and energy.
We’ll also make room for the playful side of playing the bodhrán: approaching the instrument with curiosity, trying things out and allowing ourselves to experiment without needing every idea to work first time. We all have moments when confidence feels a little harder to find. Giving ourselves permission to explore is an important part of developing as musicians.
With more time dedicated to small-group playing, we’ll put these ideas into practice together, try different approaches and develop them alongside live musicians. Through repetition, practical guidance and shared exploration, we’ll build confidence in choosing what to play, adapting it and making it our own.
Further Information for Participants:
This workshop is designed for intermediate to advanced players who already have an established bodhrán practice, with at least 6–12 months of regular playing experience, and who are comfortable with the fundamentals of the instrument.
Places are strictly limited to just 20 participants, to ensure a focused, interactive, and high-quality experience — early booking is strongly recommended.
Unfortunately, it is not suitable for complete beginners.
This is an adult-only workshop, and all participants must be 18 or over. This helps create a focused, relaxed, and supportive environment for everyone involved.
Our October Bodhrán Explorers Immersion Day.
Play with Live Professional Musicians
A core part of the day is the opportunity to play alongside top-class professional musicians:
RITA FARRELL - FLUTE AND Uilleann PIPES
Cormac Mac Murchú– GUITAR AND VOICE
This is a rare chance to experience what it really feels like to accompany live music — listening, reacting, supporting, and finding your place in the sound.
The atmosphere throughout the day is supportive, exploratory, and collaborative — designed to help players step outside their comfort zone in a relaxed and musical environment.
Timetable:
10:00 – 10:30 — Welcome & Warm-Up (Ruairí)
10:30 – 11:45 — Workshop 1 (Ruairí)
11:45 – 12:00 — Break
12:00 – 13:00 — Workshop 2 (Ruairí)
13:00 – 13:45 — Lunch ( bring your own lunch/ deliveroo/ local options available)
13:45 – 14:00 — Warm-Up with Ruairí
14:00 – 15:15 — Workshop with Ruairí & Live Musicians
15:15 – 15:30 — Break
15:30 – 16:30 — Continued Workshop with Ruairí & Live Musicians
16:30 – 17:00 — Informal Performance / Play-through (with Live Musicians)
What We’ll Explore
• Building rhythmic patterns that fit the pulse, phrasing and character of a tune
• Bringing planning and improvisation together — preparing ideas while staying open to what happens in the music
• Shaping our accompaniment as a tune evolves, using accents, dynamics, tone and space to respond to changes in energy
• Developing flexibility — varying a familiar pattern, trying a different approach and knowing when to keep things simple
• Rediscovering the playful side of playing: experimenting, making musical choices and learning from ideas that don’t quite go to plan
• Building confidence through small-group playing, with time to repeat, refine and develop our ideas alongside live musicians
A supportive space to explore, play together and discover how preparation and spontaneity can help us become more assured, responsive accompanists.
What Previous Participants Said
“I was very much looking forward to it and it exceeded my expectations. Everyone I’ve spoken to since has said the same. Ruairí kept the energy and focus alive throughout the entire day — no small feat with a large group!”
“As usual, you created a fun, safe space and I was completely in my happy place. Lots to think about, lots to work on, and such a brilliant group of people to bounce off and be inspired by.”
“It was brilliant to play with the musicians, and I really loved the way they contributed ideas and feedback throughout the day. I came away feeling energised, inspired, and excited to practise more.”
What to Bring
Your bodhrán
A tipper (or a few, if you have them!)
Notebook (optional)
Open ears and a willingness to try things
CANCELATION POLICY:
No refund or credit if canceled within 7 days of the event.
Any refunds on credit card payments are subject to a 5% fee to cover credit card processing of refund and return.
