Íoslódáil (PDF) - Comhaltas Archive

The Mulligan Quinn Branch New York
is one of America's oldest branches. It
came into existence 43 years ago first
as an Irish Musicians Association
Music Club.After the founding of
Comhaltas here in 1972, it became a
branch of Comhaltas in 1973.
I have vivid memories of its founding,
the year was 1959. That year Fleadh
Cheoil na hEireann was held in
Thurles. Unlike today, not many
people from America went to the
Fleadh. We did find out that the
Leitrim Ceili Band had won the AII­
Ireland Senior Ceili Band competition.
All the Leitrim folk were delighted,
but it's Galway who should have been
celebrating, because the Leitrim Ceili
Band came from Loughrea.
That same year 1959 Pcidraig 6
hEidhin became the third President of
Comhaltas. Kilkenny won the AII­
Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
in a replay with Waterford, 3-12 to
1-10 before n ,ooo spectators. On
that historic day an old GM friend
from Kerry joined me as we climbed
on to the roof of my house to try and
get better reception of the game from
Croke Park, which was broadcast to
the Tri-State area through the facilities
ofWNYC New York. The voice of the
late Michecil 6 Hehir was loud and
clear as he brought such excitement
to the game that would thrill many
Irish heart in exile.
HaVing listened to the All-Ireland
Senior Hurling final, I decided to go to
which at that time was held in Corles
Hall, Bronx. I linked up with a fairly
new friend named Eddie Chisholm, a
great fiddle player from Donegal.
When we got to Corles Hall, there
was a great turnout. About 40
musicians were assembled in a circle,
a great welcome was extended to all
from President Ed Roon.
After tea was served. it was
customary then for the President to
say a few words. to introduce new
members. and recognise those who
were considered dignitaries. The late
Louis Eo Quinn, RIP 1991 of New York
was considered a VI P. Together with
the late Ed Reevy of Philadelphia and
In hiJ address to the meeting, Mr
Quinn spoke of the great progress
being made in America. He went on
to say that later that evening he
would preside over the forming of a
new Irish traditional music club in the
parish of St Bridget, Westbury, Long
Island. He invited the musicians to
attend the formal opening.
There was a massive turnout at St
Bridget's Auditorium. The church
bulletin had carried the
announcement of a new traditional
25