County Secretary's Annual Report 2018/2019 - Part 2

Part 1 of this report can be read here

SCOIL FONN AGUS AMHRÁIN 2019: The County Limerick Day for Scoil Fonn is Amhrán took place on Sunday, April 28th, 2019 in Scoil Naomh Íde, Raheenagh hosted by CCÉ, Cluain Chréadhail. Tutors for the workshops were Anita Bennis (Music) and Eileen Broderick (Singing). There was an improvement in attendance at these workshops with 11 students for Music and and 7 students for Amhránaíocht/Singing. Only 4 out the 13 branches sent pupils to attend the workshops. Scoil Fonn needs to be discussed at a County Board meeting with all branches present. Why so few attend Scoil Fonn is Amhrán despite having top class tutors? Do branches inform and promote Scoil Fonn & Amhrán amongst their branch teachers and classes? CCÉ, Cluain Chreadhail was the hosting branch for this year’s Scoil Fonn & Amhrán and the County Board would like to congratulate them and say a “Míle Buíochas” for their hard work in facilitating the day. Scoil Fonn & Amhrán 2020 for County Limerick will be hosted by CCÉ, Caladh an Treogh/Baile Brún as per rota.

PLÉARACHA & SCORAÍOCHT: Congratulations to CCÉ, Teampall an Ghleantáin on winning the Senior Pléaracha title last January in Cashel. CCÉ, Ardacha/Carrigchiarraí came in 2nd Place. CCÉ, Teampall an Gleanntáin also came 2nd place in Pléaracha na nÓg. These stage presentations are very worthy projects undertaken by branches in that they allow all branch members from performers to backroom staff to participate. We appeal to branches to seriously consider participating in the future. These competitions provide lots of excellent activity for branches and are an ideal target for branches that produce Grúpaí Ceoil.

CONGRESS – COMHDHÁIL 2019: The annual Comhdháil (Congress) of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann took place on the May Bank Holiday weekend in Cultúrlann na hÉireann, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Uachtarán an Chomhaltais Vincent Jordan from Birmingham chaired the meeting. Delegates from all parts of Ireland were joined by representatives from the U.S. and Britain for this annual meeting. It was considered to be a very successful Congress with good lively debate and constructive contributions from delegates. This was the year in which Fleadh Rules came up for revision and this resulted in 74 motions appearing on the clár. Re-elected at Congress 2019 were Tomás Ó Maodomhniagh of CCÉ, Craobh Peig Uí Riain and Majella Bartley of CCÉ, Caladh an Threoigh/Baile Brún as Ard Chláraitheoir. Congratulations to Ciara Horan from Co. Tipperary who was elected as Óg Bhaill (National Youth Officer) to the Ard Chomhairle. Anthony Kavanagh from Co. Mayo was relected as Óg Bhaill on the Ardchomhairle.

FLEADH CHEOIL LUIMNIGH 2019: CCÉ, Áth an tSléibhe hosted Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh 2019 in Athea. This was Athea’s 9th occasion hosting the Limerick Fleadh Cheoil with the craobh having hosted the event in 1975,1976, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1992, 2001 and 2002. 14 venues were used around the village. The following was the programme of events for Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh 2019:

Wednesday, June 29th - Storytelling Night with Frances Kennedy in the Top of the Town Bar

Thursday, June 30th - Traditional Singing Session with Catherine Broderick in the Top of the Town Bar

Friday, May 31st - 8 p.m. – Offical Opening in The Square followed by Wrenboys

Saturay, June 1st - 10 a.m. – Music, singing and dancing competitions in 14 venues in Athea

7.30 p.m. – Aifreann Traidisúnta – St. Andrew’s Church

8 p.m. : Open Air Traditional Entertainment – The Square

9.30 p.m. – Set Céilí with the Striolán Céílí Band – Community Hall

Sunday, June 2nd - 11 a.m. – Music and singing competitions in 14 venues in Athea

3 p.m. : Open Air Traditional Session on Platform – The Square

9.30 p.m. – Set Céilí with the Taylor’s Cross Céílí Band – Community Hall

Monday, June 3rd - 5 p.m. : Street Entertainment Competition

Music Sessions were available throughout the village over the weekend.

The County Board would like to thank all those involved in the successful running of the Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh 2019 - the local Fleadh Coiste especially Cathaoirleach, Francie Flavin, Fleadh Rúnaí, Gráinne Ahern and Fleadh PRO, Domhnall de Barra who worked tirelessly and who not only had the onerous task of ensuring that everything was ready for Fleadh Cheoil but also had to raise a lot of funds beforehand to stage the Fleadh. County Board would like to thank all the call stewards, clerks, door people, catering staff and all other volunteers who kindly give their free time. Molaim go hard síbh. However, we need more help and volunteers from all the Limerick Branches, 3 branches provide all the call stewards, clerks and people who man the permit and adjudication sheets request desks. All of the 13 branches must provide volunteers to help at the Fleadh and other Comhaltas events in the County.

FLEADH CHEOIL NA MUMHAN 2019: Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan took place in Ennis again this year. There was a fantastic programme of events for the Fleadh which included Lunchtimes Concerts and other concerts with Clare Youth Trad Orchestra with Óisín Mac Diarmada & Séamus Begley, Shaskeen Céilí Band in concert, Tulla Céilí Band with Martin Hayes and the Kilfenora Céilí Band in concert. There were céilithe with Tulla Céilí Band, Dal gCais Céilí Band, Star of Munster Céilí Band and Four Courts Céilí Band. The venues used were St. Flannan’s College and Treacy’s West County Hotel. The hardworking committee had diligently prepared for the Fleadh over the past year. The outdoor entertainment over the Fleadh weekend was of a very high standard and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The County Board would like to congratulate all those involved in the successful running of the Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2019. Congratulations to all those competitors from the County who participated at Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan and subsequently went forward to Fleadh na hÉireann in Drogheda, where they achieved All-Ireland honours. Comhghairdeas le gach duine.

FLEADH CHEOIL NA hÉIREANN 2019: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann took place in Drogheda, Co. Louth for the second year in a row. There was a fantastic programme of events over 9 days which included the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, Sean Keane & Band, The Martin Hayes Quartet, Zoë Conway, John McIntyre & Cormac Begley, Four Men & a Dog, Stockton’s Wing, Cherish the Ladies, Scoil Éigse Tutors Concert, Seán Ó Sé & Mary Kelly, Oriel Wave – National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, Frankie Gavin & Provenance, Altan, Shandrum Céilí Band, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Dermot Byrne & Eamon Coyle & John Doyle, RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Zoe Conway, 4 days of céilíthe with all the top bands in Ireland and many many other events. Limerick Comhaltas members attended numerous various events in large numbers during the Fleadh week.

Our County representatives achieved the following results at Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann 2019:

1st : 9 in 2019; (10 in 2018); (7 in 2017); (7 in 2016)

2nd : 3 in 2019; (5 in 2018); (10 in 2017); (7 in 2016)

3rd : 11 in 2019; (10 in 2018); (4 in 2017); (9 in 2016)

Part 3 to follow next week