Want to hear what the best in the business have to say about your playing? Get the best advice from the best guitarists this summer at the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland 2005.

As well as the huge line-up of concerts & gigs presented by the GFI, there is also ongoing guitar tuition courses running from Wednesday 29th June to Sunday 3rd July inclusive. These are based in and around Trinity College Dublin and will consist of comprehensive masterclasses and workshops for classical and acoustic fingerstyle guitarists.

John Williams teams up with Richard Harvey for ensemble classes and a world music concert at the NCH this year, so don't miss the opportunity to meet and play for the legend himself!

There are 2 main options available depending on your style of guitar playing.

Steel-String Guitar Course

This will focus on interactive workshops with those contained in the gig line-up. You can play with and learn from the very best steel-string guitarists, such as Tommy Emmanuel, Clive Carroll, Preston Reed, John Goldie and Louis Stewart. A basic knowledge of the guitar is required to get the most out of the course.

Residential: You also have the option of staying on campus where you get to meet and greet with other guitarists on the course. The price for the residential Steel-String Guitar Course is 425 euro. This includes: accommodation, continental breakfast, lunch, workshops, seminars and concert pass (best seats for all events). Accommodation: The GFI residential applicants are treated to the finest modern clean one or two bedroom apartments with cooking facilities. All accommodation is situated on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin and is top class.

Non-Residential: If you live close-by or wish to travel to and from the events, then this is the option for you. Non-Residential Steel String Guitar Course costs only 295 euro. This will give access to the best seats in all the events (concert pass), workshops, seminars and lunch.

Classical Guitar Course

This course is for classical guitarists of all abilities. On this course you will have the opportunity to study with some of the most notable guitarists in the world, such as John Williams, David Russell, Xuefei Yang, Frank Bungarten, John Feeley and Amanda Cook. Most of the classes are given in the format of a masterclass, whereby each person has the option of playing in front of the others while being taught. This is a fantastic learning experience. Or if you wish, you can sit back and watch others playing. There are also a number of private classes available on Sunday 3rd July, in case you don't like to play in public.

There will also be ensemble classes for those on the course given by our ensemble expert Marion Hyland. This will result in a final end-of-festival concert in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre. A basic knowledge of the guitar is required to get the most out of the course.

Residential: You also have the option of staying on campus where you get to meet and greet with other guitarists on the course. The price for the residential Classical Guitar Course is 475 euro for the five days. This will give you the best seats in all the events (concert pass), accommodation, continental breakfast, lunch, masterclasses, seminars, ensemble classes, private tuition (limited space). There is an extra levy to play for John Williams (70 each) and David Russell (60). Accommodation: The GFI residential applicants are treated to the finest modern clean one or two bedroom apartments with cooking facilities. All accommodation is situated on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin and is top class.

Non-Residential: If you live close-by or wish to travel to and from the events, then this is the option for you. Non-Residential Classical Guitar Course costs 365 euro. This will give you the best seats in all the events (concert pass), lunch, masterclasses, seminars, ensemble classes, private tuition (limited space). There is an extra levy to play for John Williams (70 each) and David Russell (60).