'Delighted to watch it ': Joe Mooney Summer School documentary airs on TV

Sunday night saw the launch of TG4’s new traditional music series focusing on the Joe Mooney Summer School festival in Drumshanbo this past July.

Filmed in Drumshanbo during the Joe Mooney summer school 2025, ‘Scoil Samhraidh Joe Mooney’ looks at learners, festival-goers, dancers, singers, young contemporary players, and seasoned professionals as the gift of Traditional music is passed down.

Each hour-long episode of the four-part series will be aired at 9:30 am on Sunday nights and follow a day at the summer school, from morning to night, featuring musician performances from big names, song, dance, and conversation with characters from both near and far. 

The first episode is still available on TG4.ie and features Leonard Barry & Seamie O’Dowd, Donnchadh Mac Aodha, Fergal O’Neill, Martin O’Connell, Damaris Woods & Jim Murray, Lillie Crossley & Catherine Cullen, Úna & Roisín Ní Fhlatharta & Ciara Nic Éinrí, Adamar O’Connor, Ava & Aaron Glancy, Thomas Ahern & Síofra Hanley.

READ MORE: RIP: Tributes paid to Leitrim woman who was a 'gentle lady with a sense of humour'

“We were very happy with it,now. They covered the events very well,” said Dessey Doyle, chairperson of the Joe Mooney Summer School.

The board of the summer school, which is now in its 35th year, held a watch party for the volunteers at the Shed Distillery on Sunday night.

“We had about 60-70 of our volunteers were there last night just to acknowledge what they have because we couldn’t run the summer school without them. 

“They enjoyed it thoroughly, and they were delighted to watch it as a group there … The volunteers thought it was excellent and showed Drumshanbo in a very positive light,” Mr Doyle said.

“It captured the flavour of the summer school very well and covered lovely sessions in various places … I am sure they will be covering other different aspects in the next three episodes,” he adds. 

Episode two will be aired next week Sunday and will include musicians Nuala Hehir & Micheál O’Leary, Streanchán, Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta, Dylan, Shane & John Carlos le Tadhg Mulligan, Aidan & Celine Shannon le Jacinta Ní Chonghaile & John Dwyer, The Mayflowers, Aisling Ní Choisteabhla, Damien O’Brien and family, and Ronan & Cein Sweeney le Fiachra Guihan.

READ MORE: Drug addict who stole from church in Leitrim receives jail sentence

Episode three includes performances from brothers Gearóid & Seán Keane, Sarah Jane Woods, Michael Harding, Seán McCague, Seoid, Ronan Regan & Irene Guckian, Néillidh, Fiachra, Éabha & Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, Darren & Cathal Culliney, Gráinne Brady, Liam Doherty & Owen Smith, Micheál Fitzgibbon & Thomas Ahern.

In the fourth episode, there are performances from Charlie McGettigan, Brian McNamara, Grace & Maria Doolan, Michael Harrison & Jim Murray, Dave Sheridan, Tom Morrow, Pádraig McGovern & John McCartin, Micheál Ó Seanáin, Siobhán Ní Chonaill, Jason McGuinness, Tom Gavin & Seamie O’Dowd, Liz Coleman & Cuan Breathnach.