Joanna Sweeney is an Irish traditional musician, farm-ess and horse trainer who hails from Co. Sligo. She has been playing music since the age of six, instruments whistle, bodhrán, fiddle & voice. Throughout her 20’s she travelled and worked extensively through Europe & South America and began to explore, listen, and play other genres of music while working on eco living projects with indigenous communities & this really informed her knowledge. A Lecturer of tourism, event management & marketing at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, Ireland and a Master of Arts in Irish traditional music performance awarded from the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland, she is currently focusing on regional styles of Irish traditional music in particular the North Connaught region on the West coast of Ireland and along the Wild Atlantic Way. The style of traditional music is constantly evolving due to many factors including technology, travel, and social movement and this is an integral aspect of intangible cultural heritage today globally. Playing Irish traditional music, immersed within the living culture is her truest expression. Developing as a musician & opportunities that are arising through total immersion of practice, observation & research within the field are driving goals at present & manifesting throughout the research and creative process. Throughout the years she has played at many festivals and events all over including Electric Picnic (one of Irelands largest festivals- 40,000 attendees) regional traditional festivals, international showcases, and recently at TEDx Donegal and the Trad@Lunch series at the Hawk’s well theatre, Co Sligo. Academically she has presented at conferences and published many peer reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on but not exclusive to sociological impacts of tourism, marketing and Irish music. She is very interested in the ancestral ways and remembering the rituals, lore and history which can inform and enrich so much of our lives whether it be through herbal medicine, food, living in nature and Celtic rituals which were an integral part of Irish live for many centuries.

Joanna has been involved in the school since its inception in 2011!

Check her out on her YouTube Channel by clicking; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSKKYg4f6_C110YDVm77-tw