ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

CElL! AT A CROSSROADSI suppose a Crossroads Ceili evokesimages of our past history - the dayswhen there were no dance halls or carsand very little social outlets for youngor old . But whatever about the past -what meaning has it today, when onecould believe that our fast movingsociety with so many counter attractionswould have overtaken it? The answeris simple. Time does not date ournative culture. A crossroads ceili is oneof many ways in which modern Irelandexpresses itself culturally. This fact wasconfirmed by the huge attendance atthe fourth annual crossroads ceihorganised by the Ughtyneill branch ofCCE, Moynalty, Co . Meath during theSummer.Despite threatening rain the eveningwas pleasant and warm. People sat onthe grass and on the winding bridgeoverlooking the river. Chairs were providedfor the elderly and for those exhaustedfrom over activity on the road.This was a night of mass participation inour culture. The highlight, of course,were the various ceili dances on theroad in which almost everybody participatedleaving few spectators! Theycouldn't resist the music by VincentTighe, Geraldine Smith, theO'Raghallaigh family , the Farrellysisters, Mick Gaynor and Tom Dunne.More than 60 of the 100 pupils whotook classes in Ughtyneill hall participatedin various exhibitions of ceilidancing, set dancing, tin whistle, fiddle,button and piano accordeon. But thiswas not a night for the lo cal branchalone. Exhibitio ns were given by groupsfrom Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. Atabout 11.30 the announcement thatchampions Donnacha b Muineachain,Tony Roddy, his wife Una and his sisterMona were to join forces in a reel.There was a hushed silence as they cameon to the road. A call came to make thecircle bigger so that everybody could geta better view. The moon had risen highin the sky as if to get a better look.Their display was spell-binding. Peoplehad never seen anything like it before.Then everybody was back on the roadfor a Siege of Ennis and after that aHigh Caul Cap . They had been dancingfor more than four hours and shoutingfor more when Tom Marry brought thefunction to an end. During the eveninghe thanked the large crowd for attending.He emphasised the need toTom MarryUNA andTONY RODDY,~ ..~~ ."", -".MONA RODDY, ,DONNACHA 0 MUINEACHAINpromote ceili dancing and stressed theimportance of the fior ceili as acommunity function. He stated that alldance exhibitions going out from Ughtyneillhad been in correct formationi.e. mixed couples."Our culture has been passed on tous and it is our duty to pass it on to ourchildren undiluted" , he said . Peoplespoke about the great spirit evident onthe night. Can anyone define spirit?Perhaps when a good teaching facility isprovided in an area and the emphasisplaced on undiluted Irish culture someprogress has been made in defming it.The evening's entertainment flowed.There were no costumes or no uniformsto be seen. The performers wore theirordinary summer clothes as befitted thisinformal occasion. After Amhnin nabhFiann was played everyone wenthome happy that they had enjoyed anevening of Irish culture in its purestform.37