2026 FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
About Our Workshops
Austin Celtic Festival workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of today’s leading Celtic musicians, artists, and cultural experts in a relaxed and informal setting.
Many music workshops are interactive, with demonstrations, Q&A, and instruction shaped by the interests and skill levels of those attending. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments, along with anything they may want for taking notes or recording.
Beginners are always welcome to attend and observe unless otherwise noted.
Beginner: New to the instrument or just getting started.
Intermediate: Comfortable with the basics and a few tunes, but ready to develop your skills.
Advanced: An experienced player with a solid repertoire looking to refine technique, style, or musicianship.
REMINDERS
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You must purchase a ticket to the festival in addition to the workshop fee if applicable. Both must be purchased here online on the ticket tab.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
IRISH CÉILÍ DANCE WORKSHOP WITH TEXAS IRISH DANCE ACADEMY
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 12 pm.- 1 pm., Selkie Stage Area
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Join the Tx Irish Dance Academy (formerly Inishfree) and experience the fun of an authentic Irish céilí! Céilí dancing is Ireland’s social or “party” dancing—a lively tradition that brings people together through music, movement, and plenty of laughter. Learn the basic steps and figures of traditional group dances as the Inishfree dancers guide you through everything you need to know. No previous dance experience is necessary, and you don’t need to bring a partner—just bring your dancing shoes and a willingness to join the fun! A great way for the whole family to experience Irish culture firsthand. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm, Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Discover the distinctive sound of two of Ireland’s most beloved traditional instruments with All-Ireland flute player Sean Tierney. Sean will introduce the Irish flute and tin whistle, demonstrating the techniques, ornamentation, and rhythms that give Irish traditional music its unmistakable character. Originally from New York and currently performing with The Prodigals, Sean is also an accomplished Irish dancer who has competed at the World Championships, giving him a unique understanding of the close connection between Irish music and dance. Whether you’re interested in learning an instrument, this relaxed introduction is a great place to start.
INTRO TO IRISH FLUTE & WHISTLE WITH SEAN TIERNEY
The Wild Sky with Wildlife Revealed
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 1:45pm.- 2.45pm., Outside Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Get an up-close look at the fascinating world of wild birds with Wildlife Revealed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife education and conservation. Meet some of these magnificent birds while learning about their remarkable adaptations, natural behaviors, and the important role raptors play in our environment. Wildlife Revealed’s experienced educators will introduce the audience to their feathered ambassadors and share fascinating facts about the species in their care. Educational, entertaining, and perfect for the whole family, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and power of birds.
AUSTIN CELT FEST BOOK CLUB: JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 2pm - 3pm, Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE with Fest Ticket
Join Professor Gregory Grene for an engaging exploration of James Joyce’s celebrated short story “The Dead,” the haunting final story in his landmark collection Dubliners.
Set in Dublin at a festive gathering on a winter’s evening, Joyce’s story opens a window onto Irish life while exploring timeless themes of identity, memory, love, loss, and our connection to the past. Professor Grene will guide the conversation through the story, its characters, and the distinctly Irish world Joyce captures so memorably. Joyce enthusiasts and first-time readers alike are welcome. No literary expertise required—just bring your curiosity and join the conversation! Want to read ahead? Dubliners is available free online through Project Gutenberg.
The Celtic Roots of American Music WITH JAMES L. HOGG
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 3:15pm - 4:15pm, Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Join historian and musician James Linden Hogg on a musical journey across the Atlantic and through time as he explores the Old World roots of American music.
Through live music, stories, and history, James traces the songs and traditions carried to America from Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales—and how those sounds took root, mingled with other musical traditions, and helped shape the music of a new country.
Discover the fascinating connections between the music of the British Isles and the folk, old-time, country, and other distinctly American sounds that followed. It’s a journey through migration, history, and cultural exchange, told the best way possible—through the music itself.
The Wild Sky with Wildlife Revealed
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 4:45 pm.- 5:45 pm Outside Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Get an up-close look at the fascinating world of wild birds with Wildlife Revealed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife education and conservation. Meet some of these magnificent birds while learning about their remarkable adaptations, natural behaviors, and the important role raptors play in our environment. Wildlife Revealed’s experienced educators will introduce the audience to their feathered ambassadors and share fascinating facts about the species in their care. Educational, entertaining, and perfect for the whole family, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and power of birds.
An HOUR WITH LEGENDARY FIDDLE MASTER FRANKIE GAVIN
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 4:45pm - 5:45pm, Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Spend an hour in the company of one of the great masters of Irish traditional music. Frankie Gavin, legendary fiddler and founder of De Dannan, shares his music, experience, and a lifetime of knowledge in this informal fiddle demonstration and audience Q&A. Hear Frankie play, talk about his approach to the Irish fiddle, and ask your own questions about technique, style, learning traditional music, advancing your playing, or making the transition to Irish fiddle from another musical tradition. Whether you’re an experienced fiddler, just beginning, or simply an admirer of Irish music, this is a rare opportunity to sit down with one of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians and hear—and learn from—the master himself.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Pooka Dance Hall
Fee: FREE
Put on your dancing shoes and experience one of Scotland’s great social traditions! Scottish country dancing brings people together through lively music, graceful patterns, and plenty of fun—all while giving both your body and your mind a workout. The Scottish Country Dance Alliance will guide you through the basic steps and figures, so there’s no need to know the dances in advance. You’ll dance in groups, change partners, meet new people, and discover how individual movements come together to create beautiful patterns across the dance floor. No experience and no partner are needed—everyone dances with everyone else. Come on your own, bring a friend, and join in the fun!
SUNDAY WORKSHOPS
IRISH CÉILÍ DANCE WORKSHOP: Texas Irish Dance Academy
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 12 pm- 1 pm Selkie Stage Area
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Join the Tx Irish Dance Academy (formerly Inishfree) and experience the fun of an authentic Irish céilí! Céilí dancing is Ireland’s social or “party” dancing—a lively tradition that brings people together through music, movement, and plenty of laughter. Learn the basic steps and figures of traditional group dances as the Inishfree dancers guide you through everything you need to know. No previous dance experience is necessary, and you don’t need to bring a partner—just bring your dancing shoes and a willingness to join the fun! A great way for the whole family to experience Irish culture firsthand. All ages and abilities are welcome!
A Musical Journey Around Ireland ON FIDDLE
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 1:15pm.- 2:15pm., Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Take a musical journey across Ireland with acclaimed fiddler Colin Farrell as he explores the rich variety of traditional music found throughout the country. Inspired by his recent project recording a tune from every county in Ireland, Colin will share tunes, stories, and insights into the regional styles and traditions that give Irish fiddle music its remarkable character. From county to county, discover how Ireland’s landscape, communities, and musical heritage have shaped the tunes passed down through generations.
ThE WILD SKY WITH WILDLIFE REVEALED
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 1:45 pm.- 2:45 pm Outside Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Get an up-close look at the fascinating world of wild birds with Wildlife Revealed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife education and conservation. Meet some of these magnificent birds while learning about their remarkable adaptations, natural behaviors, and the important role raptors play in our environment. Wildlife Revealed’s experienced educators will introduce the audience to their feathered ambassadors and share fascinating facts about the species in their care. Educational, entertaining, and perfect for the whole family, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and power of birds.
Backing on the Fly with DAVE CURLY
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 2:30pm.- 3:30pm., Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Explore the art of backing traditional Irish music with acclaimed guitarist Dave Curley. Dave will share his approach to rhythm, chord choices, and accompaniment, and how a guitarist can add drive, lift, and character to Irish tunes while supporting the melody. Whether you’re developing your Irish guitar style or simply curious about what makes great trad accompaniment work, come along and get an inside look at the craft of Irish backing.
ThE WILD SKY WITH WILDLIFE REVEALED
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 4:45 pm.- 4:45 pm Outside Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE FOR ALL AGES
Get an up-close look at the fascinating world of wild birds with Wildlife Revealed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife education and conservation. Meet some of these magnificent birds while learning about their remarkable adaptations, natural behaviors, and the important role raptors play in our environment. Wildlife Revealed’s experienced educators will introduce the audience to their feathered ambassadors and share fascinating facts about the species in their care. Educational, entertaining, and perfect for the whole family, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and power of birds.
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm Bell House Back Porch (across from Highland Games)
Fee: FREE
Would you have survived a Scottish witch trial?
Find out in this lively, interactive show where the audience casts spells, explores Celtic myths and folklore—and ends with a mock witch trial where you help decide the verdict. Bestselling, award-winning author Lisa A. Traugott brings the strange—and sometimes shocking—history behind her Tales of the Witchborn novels to life.
Would You Survive a Witch Trial? with Lisa Traugott
The Great Scottish Writers WITH JAMES L. HOGG
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 3:45pm.- 4:45pm., Kelpie Kirk
Fee: FREE
Journey through Scotland’s extraordinary literary tradition with historian and author James Linden Hogg as he brings some of the country’s most influential poets and writers—and their words—to life. Through lively storytelling, historical insight, and recitations from celebrated works, James explores the writers who captured Scotland’s humor, hardships, romance, rebellion, and unmistakable sense of identity.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES
Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Pooka Dance Hall
Fee: FREE
Put on your dancing shoes and experience one of Scotland’s great social traditions! Scottish country dancing brings people together through lively music, graceful patterns, and plenty of fun—all while giving both your body and your mind a workout. The Scottish Country Dance Alliance will guide you through the basic steps and figures, so there’s no need to know the dances in advance. You’ll dance in groups, change partners, meet new people, and discover how individual movements come together to create beautiful patterns across the dance floor. No experience and no partner are needed—everyone dances with everyone else. Come on your own, bring a friend, and join in the fun!