COMHALTAS CEOLTÓIRÍ ÉIREANN

COMHALTAS CEOLTÓIRÍ ÉIREANN
CRAOBH AN SCIOBAIRÍN
WWW.SKIBBEREENCOMHALTAS.COM
BRANCH NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
ALL-IRELAND FLEADH SUCCESS
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2009 returned to Tullamore for the third year in succession.
Following a very successful Munster Fleadh for the branch in Roscrea, Skibbereen branch was
very well represented in Tullamore by our members, many who attended the Scoil Éigse
workshops prior to the Fleadh and made a week long holiday of the event.
Skibbereen branch members enjoyed exceptional success winning a total of four individual AllIreland titles, one in each age-group, along with fourteen second place medals:
Under 12
Hannah Collins:
OliveO’Mahony:
st
Piano, 1 place
Duet, 2nd place
Sciobairín CCÉ Céilí Band: Sarah Hayes, Moira McCarthy, Alice Whooley, Helen Coughlan
(fiddles); Deirdre Connolly, Niamh O’Driscoll (flutes); Hannah Collins (box); Olive O’Mahony
(concertina); Ciarán French (drums); Mary-Therese Coughlan (Piano)
Clíodhna Ní Chonghaile:
Naomi Burke:
12-15
Piano Accordion, 1st place
Whistling, 2nd place
Grace O’Mahony:
Danny Collins:
John Harrington:
15-18
Mandolin, 1 place
Piano Accordion, 2nd place
Mouth Organ: 2nd place
Catríona Collins:
Senior
Piano Accordion, 1st place
st
Congratulations to all the prize-winners who have brought such great honours to the branch.
Well done also to the other branch members who competed over the weekend: Thomas Palmer,
Timothy McCarthy, Cathal McCarthy, Liam O’Mahony, Ciarán O’Donovan and Eimear O’Driscoll,
COMHALTAS ÓG YOUTH SESSIONS
The Comhaltas Óg youth sessions/céilís will return for the Winter months starting on the
first Tuesday of the month, October 6th from 7.30pm-9.30pm in the G.A.A. Pavillion. These
sessions are especially aimed at the youth of the branch to give them the opportunity to play
the easy tunes they know; and learn a few céilí dances in a relaxed and friendly setting. As
this is the first session of the winter season there will be no charge for refreshments at the
door. Instead, perhaps you would like to bring a treat to share with everyone
ALL-FLEADH WINNERS CELEBRATION
In recognition of the magnificent achievements of our members at the Fleadh in Tullamore,
we will be making presentations to our Céilí Band and individual prizewinners. This will be
incorporated into the October Youth Session on October 6th. We feel it is important that the
younger members of our branch get to see the possibilities of what can be achieved
themselves in the future. There will also be the chance to hear the winning performances and
PHOTOS FROM THE FLEADH:
Skibbereen CCÉ, All Ireland Pléaracha Champions performing on the gig-rig at the
opening day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore
Members of
Skibbereen branch
pictured with Helen
and Eileen Gannon
from our twin branch
St Louis Irish Arts
at the Fleadh in
Tullamore
Skibbereen CCÉ
members Seán,
Myra and Con on
a visit to Brú
Ború in Cashel,
pictured with
Ard-Stiúrthóir
CCÉ, Senator
Labhrás Ó
Murchú and
Helen Gannon,
St Louis Irish
Arts
Skibbereen CCÉ Under 12 Céilí Band pictured with
their All-Ireland medals at the Fleadh in Tullamore
All-Ireland 12-15 Piano-Accordion Champion
Clíodhna Ní Chonghaile with parents Tony &
Nuala
Hannah Collins, AllIreland Under 12
Piano Champion
Under 18 Mandolin Champion Grace
O’Mahony with parents Willie and Carmel
Skibbereen CCÉ group performing with St Louis Irish Arts group, USA at the
Overseas Concert at the Fleadh in Tullamore
to celebrate the occasion. All branch members are invited to attend and acknowledge the
achievements of our members in this year’s Fleadh. Southern Star Photographer will also be in
attendance
COMHALTAS ÓG A.G.M
The A.G.M of Comhaltas Óg will be held on Sunday, 11th October at 7.30pm in the G.A.A
Pavillion. All our junior members are invited to attend. Chairperson Claire Collins and her
fellow officers will present their reports on the past years activities. Following this there will
be the election of new officers for the coming year and a short Seisiún. This youth committee
is a wonderful addition to our branch structure but if Comhaltas Óg is to survive, we need
parents to get involved. The young people need guidance on how to run meetings and it is vital
that at least two parents are present at each meeting. Thanks to those parents who put great
work and time into Comhaltas Óg and the organisation of the Youth Sessions over the year
BRANCH A.G.M
The Annual General Meeting of Skibbereen Comhaltas will be held on Tuesday, 29th September
at 8.30pm in the G.A.A Pavillion. We are appealing for all our members to attend as we review
the activities of the past year. A reminder that your membership expires at the A.G.M.
Membership renewal form is enclosed.
SET/CÉILÍ DANCING CLASSES
Teenage/Adult Set and Céilí Dancing Classes have resumed with Bertie and Annie Moran in the
G.A.A Pavillion on Wednesday nights from 8.30-10.30. Great numbers are attending every
week and it is proving to be a most enjoyable evening. Bertie and Anne would welcome any new
faces who would like to join in. For information contact Bertie at 028-28647
40th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND
The weekend of October 17th/18th will be a momentous weekend in the history of our branch
as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of our branch in 1969.
Saturday, October 17th will feature a gala dinner dance and Céilí Mór in the West Cork Hotel.
Please book your tickets now as we need numbers in advance for the hotel. Sunday, October
18th will start with an Aifreann Tradisiúnta in the Cathedral at which our deceased members
will be remembered. The weekend will conclude with lunch and a session in the West Cork
Hotel.
Please read the attached brochure
TUESDAY, 29TH SEPT
TUESDAY, 6th OCTOBER
TUESDAY, 6TH OCTOBER
SUNDAY, 11TH OCTOBER
17TH/18TH OCTOBER
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
BRANCH A.G.M
8.30PM
YOUTH SESSION
7.30PM
OCTOBER BRANCH MEETING
9.30PM
COMHALTAS ÓG A.G.M
7.30PM
40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND
CONTACT OUR OFFICERS:
GER O’DONOVAN,
CHAIRMAN, SKIBBEREEN CCE,
GORTNADIHY,
LEAP,
CO. CORK
(087-7427016)
SEAN WALSH
PRO, SKIBBEREEN CCE
SKEAGH
SKIBBEREEN
CO. CORK
(086-3762621)
[email protected]
NUALA NI BHRIAIN,
SECRETARY SKIBBEREEN CCE.,
BAKERS HILL,
BALTIMORE,
CO. CORK
(028-20398)
[email protected]
YVONNE O'REGAN
TREASURER, SKIBBEREEN CCÉ
SANDYCOVE RD.,
CASTLETOWNSEND
CO. CORK
(086-2314216)
[email protected]