During the week, nearly a thousand students from every part of the world attend daily classes taught by experts in Irish music and dance.
All events happen in the town of Milltown Malbay, in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, during the week beginning with the first Saturday of July.
The weekly registration includes six classes, all lectures and recitals (except the Saturday concert) and reduced price admission to céilithe.
These were later joined by Muiris Ó Rócháin (moved from Kerry 1971), Peadar O'Loughlin (Kilmaley) and after the first ten years of the school Eamonn McGivney and Harry Hughes.
During the week, crowds come to Milltown Malbay solely for informal playing, or to listen to traditional Irish music in all kinds of venues - pubs, kitchens, and streets.