|
Comhaltas Corner: 'Glasgow Irish Minstrels dominate Fleadh Ceoil'
By Joe Mullarkey
Glasgow's Irish Minstrels have been crowned the most successful Comhaltas branch at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Their Scottish talent saw them send more than 80 qualifiers to enjoy the atmosphere in Clonmel after an outstanding year of competition.
Only those who are first or second in Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine qualify to compete at an All-Ireland Fleadh.
And at this year’s Fleadh na Breataine the Irish Minstrels won all the Grúpaí Cheoil competitions, three of the four Céilí Band competitions and solo competitions too numerous to mention.
So the branch set off to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with over 80 competitors and experienced a particularly momentous time.
Some great music was played and seisiún enjoyed, particularly during the Scoil Éigse — the traditional music workshops which are held the week prior to the Fleadh.
As the results started coming in the branch members were overjoyed as they reflected the amount of work that had been put in by both the competitors and musical director Frank McArdle.
The Irish Minstrels is the longest-established branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann outside of Ireland.
The Minstrels Branch in Glasgow was established in January 1957, with Jimmy McHugh one of the driving forces behind the formation.
He encouraged other Glasgow-Irish musicians, including Pat McNulty, to join the branch.
This year’s results are a reflection of the strength of that long history.
CCE’s Scottish Regional Chairperson Kathleen Hughes said: “These are all major achievements and the best the Irish Minstrels has ever achieved in one All-Ireland Fleadh.”
To add to the success, the Minstrels’ Musical Director Frank McArdle has also been voted into the final four contestants for Scottish Traditional Music Personality of the Year.
One of the guest performers at the concert is the under-12 Grúpaí Ceoil from St Roch’s Secondary School in Royston in Glasgow — where Frank is principal maths teacher.
Among their line up is Kevin Murphy — All-Ireland under-12 Piano Accordion Champion 2004.
Kevin is from Kirkintilloch outside of Glasgow and his forbears come from Gweedore in
Donegal.
Comhaltas Tour of Britain 2005
Echoes of Erin 2005 Venues and dates:
February 26: Liverpool Crosby Civic Hall.
February 27: Manchester Irish World Heritage Centre.
February 28: Motherwell Concert Hall, Scotland.
March 1: Leeds. Venue to be confirmed.
March 2: Leicester. Venue to be confirmed.
March 3: Birmingham Irish Club
March 4: The Addison Centre, Kempston Bedford.
March 5: London. Venue to be confirmed.
The Provincial Council is appealing for the concert venues to be sponsored by a local business. If your company would like to be a sponsor, contact Vincent Jordan at 0121 7436958 or e-mail vince_irishmusic@hotmail.com.
Details on www.comhaltas.co.uk
(Hobgoblin Music is sponsoring the Birmingham concert).
Comhaltas na nÓg AGM
The youth committee of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will hold AGM in the Birmingham Irish Club on February 20, 2005.
All branches are encouraged to send members aged from 15 to 25. Details on www.comhaltas.co.uk.
Fleadh Ceoils 2005
Northern Region: April 17, Cedermount High School, Manchester.
Scottish Region: April 24, venue to be finalised.
London Region: May 8, Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, Tottenham.
Midland Region: May 15, Princethorpe College, Warwickshire.
Fleadh Nua: May 24-31, Ennis, Co. Clare
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann: August 22-28, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
For more details check www.comhaltas.co.uk
Birmingham Céilí
South Birmingham CCÉ presents a Céilí at Birmingham Irish Club on Saturday
February 19.
The Star of Munster Céilí Band from Co. Clare will supply the music. Dancing from 8pm until late.
For further details contact Vincent Jordan 0121 7436958 — email vince_irishmusic@hotmail.com, or Anthony Moore 0121 7058872 — email brumcomhaltas@hotmail.com.
| 