Inside the Circle, an independent documentary of 55 minutes about Irish traditional music, explores the ethos of the Willie Clancy Summer School in County Clare.
The film focuses on seven top quality musicians, like the internationally renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes, Uilleann pipes legend Paddy Keenan and concertina virtuoso Noel Hill.
New young talents like Zoe Conway, all Ireland Fiddler of the Year 2001, and brilliant Uilleann piper Seon McKeon also feature.
The film is a mixture of music highlights from sessions and recitals, as well as interviews with the organisers and main musicians to offer more insight into the music.
The film is intercut with shots (on Super 16mm) of County Clare’s beautiful rural landscape, to give the documentary the necessary breathing space and also a strong sense of location.
The Willie Clancy Summer School is a living tribute to the legendary Uilleann piper, Willie Clancy. For the first time in 31 years a feature length film has been made on this inspiring place.
Every year more than a thousand musicians from over 40 countries come together, to find inspiration and continue this authentic and lively oral music tradition.
Jaap Mees