sligo for all-ireland? - Comhaltas Archive

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SLIGO FOR ALL-IRELAND?Sligo Town for Fleadh Cheoil nahE ire ann? This was one of the livelydiscussion points when the 1986Connacht Fleadh Cheoil was held inSligo . So successful was the Provincialevent that many people felt that Sligocould be the key to open the door for areturn of an All-Ireland to Connachtafter a lapse of so many years. The lastFleadh Cheoil na hEireann held in Conmichtwas the 1966 event in Boyle. It isunderstood that strong consideration isnow being. given by Cornhaltas in Sligoto apply for the 1988 Fleadh.This year' s Connacht Fleadh had allthe atmosphere of a national event. Thestreets were closed to traffic to allowfor uninterupted sessions and comfortof movement. The townspeople welcomedthe event with open arms andthe Mayor of Sligo gave a Civic Receptionto the Committee and visitingofficers. The Fleadh was officiallyopened by the Ardstiurth6ir Labhnisb Murchu who paid tribute to the workof the organising committee.Playing at the Connacht Fleadh in SligoCHARLES ROBERTS of Glencar, Sligo_(photo: BRIDlE NICHOLSON)TOMMY FL YNN of Arigna_(Photo: BRIDlE NICHOLSON)MARTIN BOLGER, P.R.O. of the ConnachtCouncil of Comhaltas, working at theConnacht Fleadh in Sligo.Father and son champions at the ConnachtFleadh in Sligo: KIERAN and MICHAELMcNAMARA OF Aughavas, Co. Leitrim.Set-dancers knock aparks off the street at theConnacht Fleadh in Sligo.(Photo: BRIDlE NICHOLSON)4
, ,BOITHRIN NA SMAOINTEHelena RowsomeSince this article was written byMrs. Helena Rowsome, the legendarypipe-maker Matt Kiernan hasgone to his eternal reward-ar DheisDe ro raibh a anam uasal.We are glad to report that Mrs.Rowsome is fast recovering fromher recent illness and we look forwardto receiving many morereminiscences from her in thefuture. Go raibh Rath De uirthf.The picture of Matt Kieman on thecover of TREOIR stirred memories forme. May he live long to continue hisgood work, guiding, helping and encouragingall who cross his threshold. Leospoke with admiration for Matt, who,when God called his wife from thisworld, reared his children up to be acredit. He (Leo) spoke of Matt's character,his fairness, honesty and eagernessto help and reassure , but never to criticise.The picture of the pipe maker inhis workshop bears out what my sonLeon recently told me i.e. that theworkshop is neat and orderly matchingthe character of the man. Whatmemories that foot lathe had for me!For years Leo worked on a similar latheand what beautiful instruments wereborn of that old lathe- the same onewhich William Rowsome worked, aswell as the anvil which Leo used. Leobelieved that the keys for regulators andchanter which he produced by using theanvil were far more durable than the"cast" or machine made keys which are,I think, used. today. Beating out rods ofsilver or brass on the anvil used takenearly a week . Keys were meticulouslyshaped, filed and polished.As I remember, Jack Wade whoplayed pipes and fiddle and who livednear us advised Leo to save laboriouswork and to invest in a motor for thelathe. Jack was a most cheerful andwitty character. He met his death asthe result of a car accident. The lateJirn Seery and Jack were here oftenwhen Leo's workshop was being built.If only we had recorded or taped someof the jokes that were told. Jirn Seeryof course, played the fiddle and was astalwart member of the early pipers'LEO ROWSOMEclubs. He was, of course, father of Seanwho was and is one of the very gifteduilleann pipers, while his sister Eileenhad a true, sweet singing voice. TheSeery home in Manor Street was attimes like a Pipers' Club . Businessconcerning the Moleswo rth Street andThomas Street clubs was often discussedthere while dear kind Mrs. Seeryever obliging, provided the tea and sandwiches.They were truly the good olddays.I remember some of the great musiclovers who now have been called to abetter world - Thos. McCabe, Thos.2Brazil, Hugh Byme, Maura Reid, GerTuohy, Sean Dempsey and, of course ,Thos. Rowsome whose car was availableL.vays and was consequently called the"Club" car. Comhaltas wasn't bornthen and cars were not so plentiful.Tom Rowsome had a drapery shop inThomas Street and J im Seery and othersused drop in to chat, joke and pretendto argue. I recall a picture of a line ofyoung pipers at a fleadh in Mullingar allin very smart suits tailored by ThomasRowsome. My son Liam tells me thatFleadh in Mullingar was the first FleadhCheoil and was or~anised in associationwith Feis Llir na hEireann in 1951.The men of the clubs in those days
Page 3 and 4: were all loyal to each other, worke
Page 5 and 6: In the serene surroundings of theFr
Page 7 and 8: PADDY KILLORANtives and friends was
Page 9 and 10: FLUTE SESSION IN LiSTOWEL:BRENDAN M
Page 11 and 12: ST. PATRICK'S NIGHTAg Deanamh Ceotl
Page 13 and 14: 12-151st. Donna McRory, Donegal.2nd
Page 15 and 16: RAYMOND ROLANDANARTIST AND A CRAFTS
Page 17 and 18: LUTON EXTRAVAGANZARoy BushbyFor the
Page 19 and 20: and culture and who accompanied him
Page 21 and 22: NA CEITHRE hAIRDECaoimhghin b Brolc
Page 24 and 25: The Port Talbot (Wales) Branch ofCo
Page 26 and 27: A TRIBUTE TO MATT KIERNANKevin Spen
Page 28 and 29: BOGUSBLUNDEROn the 28 August the "E
Page 30 and 31: SEOSAMH O'hEANAI REMEMBEREDBy Peada
Page 32 and 33: BALLYCASTLE FLEADHON BBCIn a sun dr
Page 34 and 35: JOHN WHELAN'S REELPHIL CUNNINGHAM'S
Page 36 and 37: Fir (agus mm!!) ag obair.The Thatch
Page 38 and 39: daughter, Rosemary. She made severa
Page 40 and 41: The Gift of Music and ProphesyTHE F
Page 44: I refand: is fanwus for its crystaL

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