Singer Paul Brady is giving €20,000 to fund places for 25 musicians to the tune of €700 at the Blas Summer School at the University of Limerick. The Paul Brady Blas Scholarship is being set up in association with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, home to the Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance.

The scholarship will provide €20,000 in endowment funds over three years, providing 25 places for deserving musicians on the Blas programme where they will benefit from master classes and tuition from some of Ireland’s most respected traditional musicians and dancers. This summer, the Blas Summer School will take place in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, housed at the University of Limerick.

Announcing his music scholarship fund, Paul Brady said: “I am delighted to be associated in this way with the University of Limerick and in particular with the Irish World Academy, which is such an innovative and imaginative facility, under Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin’s inspired direction. It’s my hope that the Paul Brady Blas Scholarships will allow students who wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity, to experience the Blas Summer School and to access the expertise of some of our finest traditional musicians, singers and dancers.”

Speaking at the launch event, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, musician, composer, Professor of Music at UL and Director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance said: “A new generation of creative students will gain further inspiration and opportunity from Paul’s generosity and creative foresight.”

Applications in writing should be made to Ernestine Healy, Director, Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, or email ernestine.healy@ul.ie. Applicants should include a sample recording of their music and/or dance. See www.blas.ie for further information.