Munster Secretary's Annual Report 2018/2019 - Part 1

The following is the first installment of the Rúnaí na Mumhan, Assunta Uí Chathasaigh's Annual Report for 2018/2019 given at February’s Munster Convention.

Tá sé de phribhléid agam Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2019 a chur ó’s bhur gcomhair ag Comhdháil na Mumhan. It is an honour and privilege for me to place before you at Munster Convention the Annual report recording the events and activities of Comhairle na Mumhan in our Province during the past year. 1960-2020 - 60 Years in the history of Comhairle na Mumhan. We reflect today on the vision and foresights of our founders who gathered on 3rd July 1960 in Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk, where Comhairle na Mumhan was founded. Molaim go hard iad. Bliain ráthúil don Chúige a bhí ann le an-chuid daoine gníomhach in imeachtaí éagsúla na heagraíochta. Many officers & members of branches and County boards work unceasingly in many different projects, ideas and activities keeping Comhaltas and our culture in a high and secure state. However, I begin to fear that the spirit of volunteerism may be waning, not alone in Comhaltas but in many organisations. I want to acknowledge and appreciate our many members and volunteers for all that was achieved during the last year. Without the co-operation of the County Boards and Branches throughout the province, so many events, and activities, too many to mention here could not have been organised. I would like to congratulate each Co Board and the hosting branch within each County for providing excellent County Fleadhanna as well as Fleadh na Mumhan. Branch activities organised during the past year include Branch music session, singing nights, concerts, céilithe, Seisiún, wren boy groups, visit to hospitals and nursing homes, rang Gaeilge or Ciorcal Gaeilge, bus outings, participation in Féilte Cheoil, Fleadhanna, Ceol an Gheimhridh, and Pléaracha etc.

CRUINNITHE: Five Comhairle na Mumhan meetings were held in Mallow which were attended by delegates representing the six Munster counties. These meetings were arranged to follow on the Ard Comhairle meeting dates. Reports from Ard Chomhairle meetings are given in booklet form to Co. delegates at Comhairle na Mumhan meetings. These reports should be passed on to County Boards and from there to the branches so as to keep all units up to date. At Comdhdháil na Mumhan delegates were present for presentations on membership on line and Bliain na mBall activities. Counties are reminded to plan their meeting dates following Comhairle na Mumhan meeting so that details of proceedings at National level can be relayed back to the grass roots as quickly as possible.

NATIONAL CONGRESS was held at Cultúrlann na hÉireann on the first weekend in May. Every Branch and County Board are entitled to have two delegates present at Congress. There were many motions and much discussion took place re Rialacha Fleadhanna Ceoil at last Congress. Congratulations to each of the Munster nominees on their successes at Congress 2019: Tomás Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Majella Bartley, Pádraig Ó Flannagáin, were re-elected Ard Rúnaí, Ard Chláraitheoir, National P.R.O. respectively. Ciara Horan was elected as one of the Óg Bhaill. Kathleen Nesbitt continues in her position as Ceannaire of the Education Coiste. During the year Karen Trench was appointed to Coiste Cheoil. The need for all County and Branch Officers to be aware of the newly amended Rialacha Fleadhanna Ceoil is essential to ensure the smooth running of Co. Fleadhanna. The amended rules are in force from January 2020 for the following three years.

BALLRAÍOCHT: 2019 Bliain na mBall – Tar isteach sa Chomhaltas

Membership figures have shown a slight decrease for the province for the year despite circulation of various ideas/suggestions for activities etc. An active Branch generates greater membership and impacts on the community in a larger way. While there are quite a few branches with rather large membership, other branches are encouraged to engage more to increase numbers through recruitment with the help of varied activity,eg. music, singing, dancing classes and events. With the advent of Membership on Line, branches will have to strive to have branch registered and membership submitted before 30th October annually. It is absolutely essential that branches will input Branch name, members’ names etc. in correct format. All Branch AGMs should therefore be organised to take place in September and plans made for the year ahead. The initial sub-committee for this project led by Majella Bartley and Peter Denmead have had various discussion meetings on this project. Training days for County and Branch personnel took place in Brú Ború and Cois na hAbhna. It is more essential than ever that the correct spelling of members’ and Branch names are inputted correctly. The same format of the names should be used throughout the year. Eoin Ó Carra, Oifigeach Ballraíochta again circulated two documents for 2018/19: ”Filling in Branch Membership Forms” and “Names in Irish” which are very ‘user friendly’ and helpful to branch and county secretaries. Eoin is owed our sincere thanks and appreciation for his meticulous work in the annual membership. Eoin produces his ‘Master Spreadsheets of statistics” to ensure correct records are maintained.

CEOL AN GHEIMHRIDH: Ceol an Gheimhridh, originally established to provide inter-branch activity, was revived in Munster in 2002. 55 Branches took part at County level. Age groupings for 2018/19 were again U11 years and 11/14. A large number participated in good standard competitions in Dromcolliher for Munster Final Day. The Finals were organised with the great co-operation and assistance from a large number of members from the hosting Cluain Chreadhail Branch. We thank the Principal and Management of Hazelwood College for the facilities made available to us. Cluain Chredhail branch deserve congratulations for their utmost efficiency and co-operation in this regard. Many young competitors have commenced participating at Ceol an Gheimhridh, which offers an ideal opportunity for young people to gain in confidence. Storytelling & Scéalaíocht have always been part of this programme. In fact, for the coming year the Fleadh Cheoil competitions will have the same time duration as has been in Ceol an Gheimhridh. Táimid thar a bheith buíoch dos na daoine go léir a ghlac páirt, dos na craobhacha agus múinteoirí a thug an spreagadh dóibh agus do ghach éinne a thug cabhair ar an lá.