Coleman Irish Music Centre

About the museum

The Coleman Irish Music Centre in Gurteen honours the fiddle player Michael Coleman (1891 to 1945), who was born nearby and became one of the most influential Irish fiddlers of the early twentieth century through his recordings made in the United States. The company behind the centre, Michael Coleman Heritage Centre Limited, was registered in 1993 with directors drawn from the local community, Sligo County Council and local business. After several years of fundraising and grant applications the centre opened in 1999.

In 2006 the centre became the regional resource centre of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for counties Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Fermanagh, and it later received further funding to extend its facilities. It combines a music school with a 150-seat theatre, a shop and a visitor experience, and it keeps links with the Comhaltas traditional music archive.

The visit begins with a 12-minute audio-visual presentation on the history of Irish traditional music, followed by an exhibition with interactive touch screens about musicians from Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Fermanagh and the United States, their styles and instruments, Irish dance and sean-nós singing. A display includes instruments that belonged to local musicians, among them a fiddle owned by Michael Coleman. A replica of the Coleman family cottage, built with a thatched roof and furnished with objects from the 1920s, stands about 5 km away at Mount Irwin and can be seen by appointment.

Highlights

• Audio-visual presentation of about 12 minutes on the history of Irish traditional music
• Interactive exhibition on the south Sligo style and its musicians
• Instruments of local musicians, including a fiddle of Michael Coleman
• Replica Coleman family cottage at Mount Irwin, visited by appointment
• 150-seat theatre with regular concerts and summer sessions

Permanent exhibition

• Visitor experience and exhibition – A short film and interactive exhibition about the history of Irish traditional music, the south Sligo style, instruments, dance and notable musicians.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Michael Coleman Heritage Centre Ltd (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann regional centre)

Admission & discounts

Admission to the visitor experience is charged; the current website does not list prices (an older version of the site gave €5 for adults, €4 for students and groups and €10 for families). A complimentary tea or coffee is included after the tour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Guide dogs are permitted. The centre states that its coach parking areas are accessible for disabled visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The Sligo tourism listing says the centre is suitable for younger children. Visitors can try a dance step, and children and adults can take music classes from September to June.

Getting there & parking

Gurteen is in south County Sligo, about 40 km from Sligo town on the Wild Atlantic Way route inland; the centre is on the main street.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The music and gift shop sells CDs, books, instruments and accessories. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are available in the centre; further food is available in Gurteen village.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The 150-seat theatre can be rented for drama, exhibitions and music, and small conference rooms are available for meetings and courses.

Plan your visit