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Fleadh Cheoil na hAlbain 2005 | | Simon T
Posts: 6051
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Posted:
13 Apr 2005 at 13:46 | This is great fun.
Glasgow Irish Minstrels
PRESS RELEASE
Fleadh Cheoil na hAlbain 2005
April 24th
St Ninian?s High School
Eastwood
The Irish Minstrels Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is proud to be organizing Fleadh Cheoil na hAlbain 2005.
Each year one of the four Scottish branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann takes a turn at convening this key event in the traditional music calendar.
The Scottish Fleadh will take place on Sunday April 24th at St Ninian?s High School, Eastwood, Glasgow from 10.00 am until 7.30 pm.
What is it?
Fleadhs are competitions in Irish music, song and dance that encourage and promote Irish traditional music, song and dance here in Scotland, throughout Britain, America and Ireland and indeed across the globe.
Here in Scotland more than 500 musicians of all ages will compete on Sunday, April 24th for a place at the All Britain Fleadh which takes place this year in London from June 26th to 27th where upwards of 1500 musicians will compete for a coveted place in the All Ireland championships.
This year the All Ireland Fleadh is in Letterkenny in Co Donegal where 12,000 musicians will gather along with an estimated 250,000 spectators from August 26th ? 28th for a long weekend of competitions, concerts, pageants, sessions and craic.
What is Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann?
Founded in Ireland in 1951 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is an organization with over 400 branches worldwide that promotes Irish traditional music, song and dance. The headquarters are based in Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Who are the Glasgow Irish Minstrels?
The Irish Minstrels Branch was established in Glasgow in January 1957. It was the first branch of Comhaltas to be formed outside of Ireland. The driving forces at that time were piper Pat McNulty, ballad singer Eoin Kelly and fiddle player, the late Jimmy McHugh.
As a branch, we maintain an active part in our membership of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann by following the aims of the organization:
1. To promote Irish traditional music in all its forms.
2. To restore the playing of the harp and uilleann pipes.
3. To promote Irish traditional dancing.
4. To foster and promote the Irish language.
5. To create a close bond among lovers of Irish music.
6. To co-operate with all bodies working for the restoration of Irish culture.
The Irish Minstrels meet every Tuesday evening at St Roch?s Secondary School in Royston, Glasgow from 7.00 ? 9.00 pm under the musical directorship of Frank McArdle, Principle Maths Teacher at the school. Volunteer tutors give free classes at all levels and to all age groups in harp, uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, drums, bodhrán, banjo, mandolin and set dancing. All classes are free. With over 200 members, the Irish Minstrels is the biggest branch of Comhaltas outside Ireland.
Although the branch promotes Irish traditional music and culture all forms of Celtic music, song and dance are encouraged. Many members take part in Scottish and Celtic traditional music events throughout the year such as Celtic Connections in January, the Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin? in April, the Border Gaitherin? in May, and the Tinto Summer School in June as well as concerts, céilithe, sessions and exchange visits with other traditional music groups in Britain and Ireland. In this way, the Irish Minstrels contribute to the richness of traditional music in Scotland, throughout Britain and across the world.
Famous names associated with the Irish Minstrels and Comhaltas Branches in Scotland:
John McCusker (fiddler, previously with the Battlefield Band)
Kathleen Boyle (accordion and piano player with Dòchas)
Martin O?Neill (bodhrán player with Dòchas and Brolum)
Kevin O?Neill (flute player)
Mark Maguire (bodhrán player with Deaf Shepherd)
Clare McLaughlin (fiddler with Deaf Shepherd and CMC) | Simon T
Posts: 6051
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Posted:
13 Apr 2005 at 13:48 | Funding:
Teaching is free. Funds are raised through concerts and dances. Comhaltas and the Irish Minstrels acknowledge support in recent years from Glasgow City Council and the Community Fund.
General History
The first national festival of Irish traditional music was held in Ireland in 1951. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann aimed to make this a great national festival and, at its inaugural meeting in September 1951, came up with the title of Fleadh Cheoil (a Festival of Music).
In the years that followed, the County Fleadh and the Provincial Fleadh found their places in the traditional music calendar. Since then, Fleadh Cheoil na hAlba (the All Scotland Fleadh), Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine (the All-Britain Fleadh), regional Fleadhanna in England and Wales, and two major Fleadhanna in the USA have also become annual CCÉ events with individuals, bands and group ensembles competing for a place at the All Ireland Fleadh, equivalent to the world championships, each year in Ireland.
Today, more than 50 years on, the Fleadhanna at each level provide a platform and a meeting place for the thousands of musicians (around 20,000 performers compete in Fleadhanna each year) who carry on the great tradition of playing and cherishing traditional music, song, and dance.
The Fleadh and Comhaltas have grown together. Irish exiles and their offspring play an active part, and musicians from all over the world take part. Comhaltas now has more than 400 branches, established in every Irish county, in Britain, the US, Canada, and worldwide in places such as Japan, Hungary, Sardinia, and Australia.
CONTACT FOR INFORMATION
Michael Foley
0141 589 1478 / litteljohnfoley@ntlworld.com
or visit the Irish Minstrels web site at: www.glasgowirishminstrels.co.uk | Rocky
Posts: 13
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Posted:
14 Apr 2005 at 15:33 | | There is also a ceili on Sat 23rd April in the Langside Hall from 7.30-11pm. Music is by St. Roch's Ceili Band. It will be followed by a seisiun mor, with local musicians and visiting adjudicators, finishing at 1am. | |
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