John E. Lavelle is an accordion player with a 40-year career in Irish music circles in North America. His father, a fiddle player, emigrated from Achill. This week, the son has returned to the island as artist in residence during Scoil Acla 2001.
Running for the first two weeks in August, Scoil Acla is a long-established summer school which concentrates on traditional music, workshops in set dancing and for writers and artists, exhibitions and readings.
Unlike other schools, the focus is on participation by adults and children from the local community - while also welcoming Irish and overseas visitors. It aims also to encourage cultural and artistic programmes that can be sustained throughout the year.
This year's event was opened by the broadcaster Aine Hensey, and classes have been running daily in some 30 venues across the island. Highlights of the coming week include a writers' workshop with Macdara Woods, opening today in Dooniver National School and running for five days from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Woods will also give a poetry reading today at St Thomas's Church, Dugort.
The church hosts a traditional music recital tomorrow.
An art exhibition of new works by Margaret Morrisson is on display until August 25th at Abha Teangai, Dooagh, Achill. And, when not working with young people, Mr Lavelle will play in public performances, including the recital tomorrow in St Thomas's church, and a concert on Thursday in the Wavecrest Hotel.
Tickets for the events are available at the Beehive, Keel; Calvey's restaurant, Keel; Grey's guest house, Dugort; and the Achill Tourism Office in Cashel.