ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

SUPPORT FOR TORY ISLANDOn the 18th of April this yearComhaltas an Chreagain left for ToryIsland on a cultural exchange visit fundedby Co-operation North. It waswhile waiting for the boat's arrival totake the group (totalling 53 adults andchildren) over to Tory that a dramabegan to unfold which could have speltthe end of the trip but, more seriously,would have resulted in disaster for theisland's future .When the boat finally arrived after adelay of over an hour, the skipper enquiredif another boat had arrivedbefore him. He was answered in thenegative and further informed on his returnto the island that the boat had notdocked at any other port. By this timethe islanders were very concerned forthe safety of the two missing men.Attempts to get the Irish rescue servicesmet with a very slow response andthe island boats were incapable in roughseas of searching such a large area intime. It was decided, therefore, to contactthe British Rescue Services andwithin half an hour the men were foundclinging to their semi-submerged craft.Medical sources indicate that both menwould not have survived much longerhad not rescue been at hand.Had these men been lost, life on torywould have suffered a severe setback,and hundreds of years of culture endangeredsignaling the possible end of animpO'rtant Gaeltacht area.The aims of Comhaltas are topromote music, language and · sport aspart of our cultural heritage. A logicalconclusion of these aims would be toprotect any part of our culture whosefuture is endangered from whateversource. It was because of this threatthat Comhaltas an Chreagain in leaguewith other Comhaltas branches andvarious cultural groups in Derry havelaunched an appeal for funds to buy aninshore rescue craft, currently availablein Derry from the sub aqua club for£3 ,000. This includes a spare engine,lifejackets and associated equipment,plus instruction in the use of the craft.We would appeal, therefore, that anydonations you wish to give to this veryworthwhile cause should be forwardedto: Mr. J. Mulheron, 6 Shipsquay Street,Derry. Cheques to: "Tory Island Lifeboatappeal".A CALL FOR LOCALARTS COUNCILS"Provincial or regional Arts Councils to replace the existing Dublin-based bodywould be in a better position to reflect local and native arts activities throughoutthe country. In its restructuring of industrial agencies in the Shannonside region,the Government has demonstrated what they deem to be the need to get closer tothe action. The same arguments could just as easily apply to the arts world and ifsuch decentralisation was to happen there would certainly be a greater return forthe money expended. A new Arts Council is to be appointed in the near future andperhaps the Government could be persuaded to take the bold step of restructuringthis statutory body and help it to truly reflect the full potential of the arts inIreland. "This was stated by Lab hra s bMurchu, Ardstiurth6ir of Comhaltas aFleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Listowel.Continuing he said :"We have only touched the tip otthe iceberg in exploiting the full potentialof native music and other artforms.Thousands of visitors come to Irelandeach year to hear and learn Irishtraditional music but our approach toservicing their requirements is so lackingas to be like using a raft in place of anocean steamer. We are quick to criticizeyoung people for their misdemeanoursyet the needs of the thousands of youngtraditional mUSICIanS are virtuallyignored by 0 fficial agencies. Nativemusic has put more nuts and bolts incommunity bridges in Northern Irelandthan most of the meetings and talk ofthe last decade but recognition of thisfact is almost non-existent."Beneath the thin veneer of tolerancethere is still an empty condescendingattitude in some influentialquarters to that which is native andearthy. I am not apportioning blamefor this position: these people are beinghonest in so far as they are reflectingthe values of their own circle but anyinfluence conferred on them by virtueof their job status should not be used tothe detriment of those who hold differentcultural values and aspirations.The phenomenal turn about for thefortunes of native Irish music as eviden-ced in professional surveys andbouquets from professional musicians ofworld standing must be recognised andreflected in State attitudes and activities.There could be an appropriate universitydegree for traditional musiciaris.Our own music should have a reveredplace in our education system at alllevels. Young unemployed musiciansand other artistes - representing thebest public image we can present to theworld - should be catered for in ameaningful way by our employmentagencies. Such a move could have arevolutionary effect 6n the morale ofthe youth in Ireland and help to diffusethe apathy and cynicism which arethreatening to stifle initiative and enterprise."45