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Comhaltas Corner:
Comhaltas demands answers over alleged report cover-up
By JOE MULLARKEY
A special meeting of the Ard chomhairle of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is being convened to co-ordinate a nationwide campaign to expose an alleged cover-up over a report from a special Irish Government-appointed committee.
The move follows claims by Comhaltas that the final report of the Special Committee on the Traditional Arts had been altered before being presented to the Irish Arts Council.
A delegation from the Arts Council to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport and Tourism has already been confronted with the allegations.
But they refused to answer questions over the alleged alterations.
Several members of the Oireachtas Committee have already warned a cloud will remain over the Arts Council unless the issue can be cleared up.
The Comhaltas campaign will be based in communities throughout Ireland and abroad and aimed at the two million people who are serviced by Comhaltas each year.
The campaign is aiming to persuade the government to launch an independent investigation of the circumstances involved and hold accountable anyone found responsible.
It is also looking to initiate a new process to benefit the traditional arts.
CCE President Séamus Ó Teimheáin said: “What is emerging in the media regarding the doctoring of the Traditional Arts Report is a scandal that must be exposed and corrected.”
North America CCE Chair Helen Gannon said: “What is coming out of Ireland regarding our native cultural traditions is distressing.
“How could anyone condone the irregularities that have emerged?
“Is anything fair game for our own culture?
“We have 50 chapters of Comhaltas in North America and our membership will be watching carefully to see will justice prevail.”
And CCE Britain Chairman Vincent Jordan said: “Generations of Irish people in Britain have kept the traditional music, song and dance of Ireland alive and vibrant.
“We look to home for encouragement. What we are now hearing is shocking and we ask the Government to ensure that this long awaited process is brought back on track.”
New CD showcases banjo and accordion
A CD has been released featuring some of the finest recordings of banjo and accordion music to emerge from Ireland in recent years.
The CD, from Reel Trad Records (RTRCD001), features husband and wife combination Angelina Carberry and Martin Quinn, accompanied by the most sought-after accompanist in Ireland today in John Blake.
Angelina was born in Manchester and is a member of the highly-respected Carberry family. This is her second recording following her debut album Memories From The Holla with her father Peter.
Martin Quinn also comes from a strong musical background with roots in Co. Antrim. He has been a professional musician since 1992 and has toured with La Lugh and is currently a member of Dorsa.
On this 13 track CD, the banjo and accordion complement each other and there is an obvious empathy between musicians who know each other very well. The CD has a good mixture of reels, jigs, hornpipes, and airs.
What stands out is the unhurried pace, the subtle phrasing and that rarest of gifts — the ability to make it sound so easy.
The CD is available from Copperplate mail order: 68 Belleville Road, London SW11 6PP, Tel/Fax: 020 7585 0357. E-mail: copperplate2000@yahoo.com. Website:
http://go.to/copperplate
Buffet/Céilí in Leicester
The Leicester branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be holding its annual buffet and céilí on Saturday November 20 at St Patrick’s Parish Centre in Beaumont Ley’s Lane from 8pm.
The Reel Notes Céilí Band will provide music on the night. There is a late bar available and admission is £5.
For further information on the event or to book tickets, contact Eileen Brooks on 0116 241 2081 or Midland Region PRO Anne Marie Healy am_healy@hotmail.com
Annual Northern Region Céilí
The Annual Northern Regional Céilí takes place on November 19 at the Brian Boru in Bryn Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The Liverpool Céilí Band will provide the music. Tickets are £5, children free.
Details and tickets from Denis Nicholas 01744 630 339 email dnicolas@lht.co.uk or Regional PRO Peter Savage 01254-830331 email PJPIOBAIRE@aol.com.
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