BelfastTrad run three terms a year, enrolment for each term opens for enrolment online shortly before each term starts and students pay upfront for the term.

Winter Term 2025: 10 weeks from Mon 6th January - 23rd March
No classes: Bank Holiday 17th March (Monday class make up on 24th March)
Enrolment fee: 10 weeks: £80/75

Information and instrument hire: Monday 2nd January at Stranmillis University Music Department. (More details)

Enrolment OPEN SOON - SECURE YOUR PLACE

Yes there will be other adults in the class! Most of our students are adult learners so you will be in good company. Our main classes accept students over 12 years of age and we have a wide range of people. We firmly believe it is never too late to start engaging in traditional arts whether it is playing a tune, singing a song or dancing.

For those under 12 years, we have special children’s classes in tin whistle, fiddle and song.

We welcome new beginners in Autumn term for all classes. Please contact us so we have as much information about your interests and experience to date so we can ensure you start in the correct level.

In Winter & Spring terms, please check the class description or contacts us to see if we are taking new beginners in the class you are interested in.

Instruments are available for hire for enrolled students. These are subject to availability. See what we have available this term here: instrument hire. Please note we don’t have guitars, fiddles or tin whistles for hire.

We accept a deposit of £50 (returnable at the end of your hire agreement) when an instrument is first hire. In addition, hire fees are £45 per term for Harps, £25 for allotter instruments. We hire to individual students for a maximum of three terms.

If you are unsure about which level to start in, please read the class description for an outline of what will be taught in each class. If you are still unsure, please contact us and we will guide you.

If you find the level you first choose is not the right one for you, you can raise this with the tutor and we will move you to another level until we find the one that suits you best.

Please email us (info@belfasttrad.com) to register your interest and join our reserve list. Sometimes people move between levels or cancel their enrolment thus freeing up a space or we may be able to increase the capacity if there is demand.

All our classes are in person at Stranmillis University College: belfasttrad.com/where-we-are

Those over 60, under 18, full-time students and those on low income may avail of our concession rate and receive a discount of 50p on each lesson. To access the discount, please enter the code CONCESSION at checkout.

A concession rate discount is already applied to the enrolment fee for the kids classes.

In addition to our programme of weekly classes, BelfastTrad also deliver a range of special events such as sessions, céilí’s, workshops and talks. We end each term with a student and tutor session.

Keep up-to-date with our upcoming events by checking here: events-calendar or sign up to our mailing list for email notifications by clicking here: mailing-list

Please contact us at info@belfasttrad.com or on 07875094446 with any questions you may have. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note we are a small charity with one part-time member of staff, this means our communication channels are not constantly monitored.

FAQs

When does the next term start and how much does it cost?

I am a bit nervous I will be the oldest person in the class, will there be other adults?

I am a brand new beginner, can I join?

I need an instrument to join the class, can I hire one?

I am not sure what level to start in, which one should I choose?

The class I want to join has no places left, what should I do?

Are classes online or in person?

Do you have a concession rate and who can avail of it?

What else do you do other than deliver weekly classes?

I have a question not answered above, what should I do?