Offaly CCE News
Details of events organised by the Offaly Co Board and Branches.
Offaly Comhaltas News 13 Feb:
Tour Concert:
Best wishes to two Offaly musicians, Jamie And Ciara McKeogh from Durrow who are part of the Comhaltas "Echoes of Erin" Tour group which which travels to Britain at the end of February. They perform eight concerts in various British Cities, including, Luton, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle on Tyne, Ashton and three concerts in the London Area between February 25th and March 3rd. Also in the Group will be singer Barbara Tynan, Clonaslee. Details on the Comhaltas web site or from head office 012800295
Gradam TG4:
Congratulations to popular accordion player Paddy O'Brien native of Daingean and now living in Saint Paul Minnesota on having selected for the prestigious TG4 award "Composer of the year".
Before emigrating Paddy played with local groups, including Banagher Comhaltas Group and was a member of The legendry Castle Ceili Band. He toured Ireland towards the end of last year. He has composed over 100 tunes in the traditional style. The award will be presented at a Gala Concert in Limerick University Concert Hall on 24th March.
Laois Fleadh:
Our near neighbors, the Clonaslee branch will host the 2012 Laois Co. Fleadh on the Week end of May 20th next and previous days. Supporters should note the new date. Congratulations to Declan Goode, a member of the branch on his recent appointment as Superintendent in the Garda Siochana.
Best wishes:
We would like to wish the Ferbane and Na Fianna Scór Groups the very best of luck this weekend in the Scór All Ireland Finals in Mayo. The Ferbane Group (Zoe Rooney, Niamh Delaney, seated Avril Spain, Revina Devery, Valene Greer) will compete in the ballad final while Na Fianna (Rachel Abraham, Mark Garry, Helen Brady, Muireann Carton and Grace Dunne) will compete in the instrumental final. Ádh mór oraibh!
Offaly Comhaltas News 12th Feb:
The well known accordion player Danny O'Mahony from Kerry will appear in concert at Arus An Mhuillin, the Comhaltas centre for Laois , Offaly, Westmeath and Longford on Friday 2nd March, at 8.30 pm. Danny won the All Ireland Senior Accordion Title in 1996 and last August led his Ceili Band to All Ireland honors in the Senior Ceili Band Competition. During the year he also released a solo album . This should prove a very popular event and further information is available at the Arus 0449330644
Members of the newly formed West Offaly branch of Comhaltas will be appearing on the Coppers and Brass Radio programme on Midlands 103 on Sunday next 19th February. The programme is broadcast between 6.00 and 8.00 pm and the guests will be on the air from 7.00pm. They will be playing music and outlining their plans for what promises to be a very busy year. For more tune to Midlands 103 on Sunday.
Offaly Comhaltas News 8th Feb:
Brónagh Cullen and her team of youth officers have put great work in getting our monthly sessions up and running for 2012.
Killeigh Comhaltas are hosting the first session in the Bridge House Tullamore on Sunday the 26th of February at 4pm until 6pm. All welcome.
Offaly Comhaltas News 6th Feb:
On Jan 28th last, a great night was had in celebration and acknowledgement of Tom Burkes and Eileens Swords great service to Offaly Comhaltas. Both Tom and Eileen have served Offaly Comhaltas, with great dedication and distinction, in several positions for many many years. The Bridge House Tullamore was the venue and Comhaltas branches from across the county came to perform and show their appreciation to Tom and Eileen. We at Offaly Comhaltas wish Tom and Eileen every best wish in their future endeavours.
Friday 10th Feb - Tullamore CCE are organising a fundraising table quiz for two of their members travelling to Uganda in Maunsells Pub, Tullamore at 9pm. Catherine and Bríd Brennan are travelling to Uganda to teach local ill children. All monies raised on the night of the quiz go towards the provision of medical supplies for the treatment of these children. All support to this worthy cause is greatly appreciated.
Saturday 11th Feb - Brosna CCE, joined by Streamstown Set Dancers, were the winners of this years Mummers Festival in New Inn(Galway). To celebrate they are performing their winning show in Streamstown Hall. Doors open at 8pm with show starting 8:30pm sharp. Entry is 7e(adult) 5e(student/oap) and 3e(child).
Elsewhere, we would like to wish the best of luck to Offaly's newest Comhaltas branch - West Offaly Comhaltas. The branch, which takes in the areas of Banagher, Lusmagh and Ferbane, was formed last year and will be hosting this year’s Offaly County Fleadh on 12/13th May. There is going to be a launch concert held in college hall Banagher on 28th April 2012 with top traditional artists appearing. More details to follow. Meanwhile, traditional irish music classes are going very well covering whistle, flute, accordian, banjo, bodhran, fiddle, guitar and piano. Over 60 students attending at present. Contact Damian Lynch 086 2582186 or Catherine O’Connell 087 1508680 for more information.
Finally, the annual bowling tournament is nearly upon us with the dates being the 27th, 28th and 29th of Feb. More detail to follow – be getting your team ready!