COVID update from Comhaltas HQ
Read the latest from Comhaltas on COVID19
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. We’re a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world, and as you can read in our history we’ve been working for the cause of Irish music since the middle of the last century (1951 to be precise). Our efforts continue with increasing zeal as the movement launches itself into the 21st century.
Slí Cheoil agus Oidhreachta Cois Sláine
Bhí an ghrian ag taitneamh, bhí ceoil agus amhránaíocht den scoth agus bhí áthas ar gach duine bheith amuigh faoin spéir gorm ag baint taitneamh mór as an ocáid.
Remond Park hosts lively Roving Session
Sunday evening visitors to Wexford's Redmond Park were treated to a feast of traditional music as Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas held its second pop-up roving session of the Summer. Bean an Tí Barbara Walsh ensured that the evening ran smoothly with a good mix of dance tunes and songs, starting with two jigs, Behind the Haystack and The Battering Ram. Outgoing Mayor and Councillor George Lawlor, sought, and was granted, permission by branch Chairman Matt Murphy to sing 'Cúchulainn's Son'. Written by the late Tom Williams, it is one of Matt's favourite songs.
Seisiún deireannach an tSamhraidh
Craobh Loch Garman ended the Summer with a mega Roving Session at beautiful Johnstown Castle.
SCRÚDÚ CEOL TÍRE (SCT)
The Scrúdu Ceol Tíre (SCT) programme is a graded series of exams organised and administered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It is designed to take musicians from basic proficiency in tune-playing through to a mastery of the tradition. SCT exams have been on hold as a result of the pandemic.
FleadhFest 2021
Níl aon Fleadh Cheoil arís an bhliain seo ach tá solas ag deireadh an tolláin; níl an oiread céanna contúirte ag baint leis an ród seo romhainn.
Until we get to the other end of that tunnel we stay in virtual mode. So, no physical Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Instead we have FleadFest which, while it is hosted by An Sligeach, is a truly global event, an opportunity for every branch, county and country to showcase its finest. TG4, FleadhFest media partner, will provide 8 hours of programming from Sligo. They will also broadcast one-hour programme from each of the four provinces. Along with broadcasting of events and showcases, there will be live streaming of competitions.
Contae Loch Garman has been asked to come up with four 30 minute programmes, with contributions by all branches. For its part, Craobh Loch Garman will present an all-singing, all-dancing 5 minute snippet.
Read Treoir online!
CCÉ’s quarterly periodical Treoir is available to read online at https://treoir.comhaltas.ie/
The Mighty Ocean by Máirtín O'Connor
The Mighty Ocean
Premiere of instrumental suite by Máirtín O’Connor
Galway musician and composer Máirtín O’Connor premieres The Mighty Ocean 9.30pm, Sunday, April 25 on TG4. The suite opens a musical dialogue between mankind and the environment, touching on the entrancing power of the sea, while questioning the destructive influence of mankind on our endangered oceans. Máirtín leads a large band of musicians to perform The Mighty Ocean and other works.
Trad by the Sea
Members and friends of Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas recently had their first musical gathering since the start of lockdown. Last Wednesday evening (June 24) a large group of musicians and music-lovers converged beneath the old canon at Rosslare Strand. Armed with deck-chairs and instruments they set themselves up in a large circle and tuned up. With an energetic full tide providing the background sounds, they then proceeded to make ceol binn.
'Wadding's Small Garland'
Wexford bishop Luke Wadding published his 'small garlands of pious and godlie songs' in 1684.
The title of the 1728 edition reads as follows:
A Pious garland, compos'd by the Reverend Father Luke Wadding, Bishop of Ferns. Which he compos'd for the solace of his friends and neighbours in their aflictions. To which is added a choice collection of divine poems.
The sweet and the sower,
The nettle and the flower,
The thorn and the rose
This GarIand compose.
Wadding did not have an easy time of it as, at that time, Catholics were not exactly flavour of the moment. Far from it.
'No silver lamps now left to shine, no tapers to give light,
No Mass by day here can we find, no matins here by night.'
Laureate na nÓg
Craobh Loch Garman AGM 2021
This year's Craobh Loch Garman AGM takes place online on Monday, December 7th at 7pm.
And even though things are quiet on the activities front, we ask everyone to renew their membership so that we can keep the (virtual) show on the road. You can pay by cheque, EFT, Paypal or card. Head over to the ‘Membership’ page. Existing members don’t need to fill in any form unless changing from one class to another or adding a name.
CV-19 Updates
COVID has thrown a spanner in the works and impacted on all Comhaltas activities. Wexford County Board has been liaising closely with the Buanchoiste as to how best to proceed. It will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow instructions from the Buanchoiste and Government guidelines.
News updates from Comhaltas ...
Culture Night Roving Session
Great Roving Session on Wexford Quays last Friday night. At this strange and disconnected time we are going through, there is nothing like the simple pleasure of live music and song - both for the player and the listener. As the musicians settled into their rhythm one sensed Manannán Mac Lir stirring out beyond the bar as there was a growing swell in the harbour whipped up by a strengthening wind from the east. Matty Murphy raised his hands to the heavens in supplication, the winds abated and he led the crowd in a full-throated and rousing singing of Home From The Sea. Dusk was turning to dark when the last notes were played and the instruments packed away. Oíche iontach ceoil agus amhránaíochta a bhí ann agus áthas ag gach duine agus iad cruinnithe le chéile ag an am aisteach seo. There were was also a multi-artist gig at The Bull Ring. Among those performing were James McIntyre and Alice Wickham McIntyre who delighted the audience with a nice tight set of songs and tunes.
Mark Redmond and Daoirí Farrell: a review
1st March, 2020
Towards the end of the excellent final concert of Wexford Trad and Folk Weekend, Mark Redmond, the acclaimed uilleann piper from Gorey, reflected on what a marvellous weekend it had been, wistfully expressing the view that every weekend should be as good as this one.
Virtual Fleadh Cheoil on TG4
A year without fleadhanna, followed by another year without fleadhanna! Nothing for it but to circle the wagons and rally the troops. Which is exactly what Leinster Comhaltas did last year. Check out this cool video, made during an earlier lockdown, which features music and singing from every part of the province. 'Is doiligh ceann catach a chíoradh' (It's hard to comb a curly head) ach le croí laidir is intinneach is féidir linn gach doghrainn romhainn a bhriseadh. Fair play to TG4 for getting on board and putting together a wonderful four episode series. Each one is essential viewing.
John Sheahan and Dermot Bolger in Conversation: a Review
Greenacres
We all heard the warnings - under no circumstances, except the most essential, should anyone venture outdoors during Storm Jorge.
But maybe the possibility of being entertained by Dubliner John Sheahan and poet and novelist Dermot Bolger having a chat and a laugh together could easily be regarded as an essential reason for travel.
Read more: John Sheahan and Dermot Bolger in Conversation: a Review
Leinster Comhaltas comes together online
What a strange year it has been between schizophrenic weather, quare viruses and the leader of the once most powerful nation on Earth worried more about how his hair looks than the state of the nation. And, as if all that was not bizzare enough, a year without fleadhanna! Nothing for it but to rally the troops and circle the wagons. Which is exactly what Leinster Comhaltas has done. Check out this cool video, made during lockdown, which features music and singing from every part of the province. 'Is doiligh ceann catach a chíoradh' (It's hard to comb a curly head) ach le croí laidir is intinneach is féidir linn gach doghrainn romhainn a bhriseadh.
Bodhrán Club
The hugely popular Bodhrán Club with Rónán Ó Snodaigh takes place Monday evenings at The Hub. There is an underage class running 7-7:45pm and an adult class 8-9pm. Fee is €5 per child, €10 per adult. Text 086 2427981 for info.
‘Spraoi le Gaeilge’ Irish Gaeltacht Camp
The inaugural ‘Spraoi le Gaeilge’ Irish Gaeltacht Camp took place last week in Bree Community Centre. It was attended by a total of 35 children, the majority being Primary School children (3rd-6th classes) with a lesser number of 1st year Secondary students also taking part.
The camp was run in conjunction with Ceoltóirí Munna (part of Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas) and staffed by ten Primary and Secondary teachers, with cinnirí from Meánscoil Gharman. The aim of organisers Barbara Walsh and Bríd Kehoe was to teach the children oral irish in a fun way through activities and, in the process, improve their Irish language skills and make them more confident to converse as Gaeilge. Activities includes cooking, sport, dance, music, Irish sign language, first aid and art, all as Gaeilge. Bhí a lán spraoi ag na páistí agus bhain siad taitneamh mór as an tseachtain.
Delighted with the success of the first ‘Spraoi le Gaeilge’, Barbara and Bríd plan on running a camp twice annually, at Easter and during Summer holidays.
Paddy Ryan - scoláire, gaeilgeoir agus fear uasal cruthanta
Wexford has lost a true champion of Irish culture with the passing of former teacher, scholar, radio presenter, Gaeilgeoir and all-round gentleman Paddy Ryan. He was a valued long-time member of Wexford Gramophone Society. In 2016, the centenary year of the 1916 Rising, Craobh Loch Garman honoured Paddy in presenting him with a commemorative medallion issued by the Ard Comhairle of Comhaltas. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Requiem Mass 10am today, Friday, 18th October, at Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford.
