Scoláireachtaí Ashling Murphy Comhaltas is a large group involved in the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish arts, which was established in 1951.
Comhaltas has 430 branches in 18 countries, 32 County Boards in Ireland, four Regional Boards in Britain, six Regional Boards in the United States of America and Canada, four Provincial Councils in Ireland, one in Britain and one in North America.
Comhaltas programmes educate, develop and inspire students to achieve their full musical potential and provide them with the skills for enjoyment of music, song, dance and language. Students explore the realms of expression and imagination in performance and creativity. The mission of Comhaltas continues to enhance music education and to provide a pathway for further lifelong learning while preserving and promoting cultural identity.
With this in mind, Comhaltas has established three scholarships to recognise and remember the talent and legacy of the late Ashling Murphy. Ashling was a primary school teacher, Comhaltas music teacher and performer. With her work in education and performance we find it fitting to create scholarships in her memory as outlined below.
The first Ashling Scholarship will primarily focus on the community. The scholarship is to support individual artists working to develop participation and practice in traditional arts, including collaborative, community and socially engaged arts practices. Development of current Comhaltas community structures should be explored and working on tangible and beneficial outcomes for the traditional arts in the community. The delivery of this scholarship will be blended by developing practical/recorded performances and research into same. Value - €2000.
The second Ashling Scholarship will focus on young people, children, and their music education. This scholarship supports individual artists working with, and producing work for, children and young people across the Irish traditional arts. The purpose of this scholarship is to support artists to develop their art practice and to encourage young people and children be more confident in their own ability. Delivery of this project can be through research, development of new programmes of music education, recordings or performance. Value - €2000.
The third Ashling Scholarship will be research based. Research should be based on an area in the Irish traditional arts and also considering music education. Value - €2000.
Submissions and details of the purposed project should to be sent to [email protected] before 5pm on July 15. Submissions should include name, contact information, short bio of the applicant and a brief outline of the project and which scholarship you are applying for.
A selection committee will then assess all submissions. Submissions can be made in both English and Irish. Scholarships will be given at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar. For further information please email [email protected].
