Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn the tin whistle
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
The tin whistle, or penny whistle, is a small pipe that carries the tunes of Irish traditional music, from marches and waltzes to polkas and jigs. Beginners' classes ask for nothing more than a whistle in D, and Comhaltas branches on both sides of the Atlantic teach it.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
Where to learn
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann says its branch network runs classes every week in traditional instruments, singing, dance and the Irish language. Its directory lists more than 450 branches, mostly in Ireland but also in Britain, North America and further afield; ask your local branch about classes.
Arts centres run short courses. The Crescent in Belfast's beginners' class is for adults with no previous experience and asks you to come with a whistle in D. The Irish Arts Center in New York teaches online over Zoom; its introductory course covers all the notes of the scale and how to get a good sound, then moves on to marches, waltzes, polkas and jigs.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| The Crescent, Belfast | Traditional Irish Tin Whistle, beginners; 9 weekly one-hour evening classes (spring 2026) | £77 or £72 |
| Irish Arts Center, New York (online) | Tin Whistle I, introductory; 8 weekly one-hour classes on Zoom (autumn 2024) | $204, or $164 for members |
| Irish Arts Center, New York (online) | Tin Whistle II, advanced beginners; 8 weekly classes (autumn 2025) | $234, or $188 for members |
| Center for Irish Music, St Paul, Minnesota | Easy Whistle Tunes for Adults, for players who already know three tunes; Thursdays from September 2026 | $187 |
The whistle itself costs little. Hobgoblin Music lists a Feadóg Pro whistle in D at £15.99.
How to start
- Buy a whistle in the key of D, which is what beginners' classes ask you to bring.
- Look for a beginners' class at an Irish arts centre, or find your nearest Comhaltas branch and ask about its classes.
- Learn one tune a week, then go along to a session or branch night to play with others.
Where to go
- Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: branch listings
- The Crescent, Belfast: Traditional Irish Tin Whistle for beginners UK
- Irish Arts Center, New York: Tin Whistle classes online US
We opened these links on 10 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
What key tin whistle should a beginner buy?
D. Both The Crescent in Belfast and the Irish Arts Center in New York ask beginners to bring a whistle in the key of D.
Can I learn tin whistle online?
Yes. The Irish Arts Center in New York runs its tin whistle courses over Zoom, from an introductory class upwards.
How do I find Irish music classes near me?
Use the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch listings, which cover Ireland, Britain, North America and beyond, and contact the nearest branch about its classes.
Where this comes from: Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Comhaltas Branches; The Crescent, Traditional Irish Tin Whistle: Beginners; Irish Arts Center, Tin Whistle I: Beginners (Fall 2024, online); Irish Arts Center, Tin Whistle II: Advanced Beginners (Fall 2025, online); Center for Irish Music, Easy Whistle Tunes for Adults: Fall; Hobgoblin Music, Feadog FW26A Pro D whistle. Opened 10 November 2026.
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