ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

, ,THE CEILI BARN ANDTHE BOTTLE BLOWERSBernard DwyerThe Ceili Barn was situated in aremote corner of West Roscommon. Inthe early ninteenth century it was usedas a meeting place for those faithful fewwho laboured under severe stress inorder to keep our great traditions alive.Such activities were , in those days,looked upon as a cover for something ofa more "sinister nature". Needless tosay , they were continually hampered bythe occupying forces.In order to counter those sameforces, an organisation known as "TheBottle Blowers" came into existence.Their job was to conceal themselves inthe hills and sound the alarm byblowing into bottomless five-nogginbottles, affording the ceili people ampletime to put away their instruments andmake good their escape until such timeas the "Bottle Blowers" would soundthe "all clear".Should they decide that not all theforces had returned after a raid, theysounded a special coded alarm. Eventually,an order was issued "that anyonefound in possession of a bottomlessbottle, would be jailed for a prolongedperiod". However, this was a law whichit was found impossible to enforce. The" Bottle blowers" did a great job duringthe dilYS of the immortal Michael Davittand 'the Land League by warning meetingsof the approach of the law .The barn in question was built ofcrude stone. It had but one small window,which could easily be covered withan old sack for security reasons. Anumber of corn sheaves would occupyone corner, while an old barrel used inthe making of Poitin would occupy another.There were a couple of flailshung above the only door. There werealso some ploughing chains hangingabout and it is quite possible that an oldcart wheel stood against one of thewalls. An old winnowing riddle shouldabout complete the furniture .A bunch of cultural enthusiasts awaitin silence and semi-darkness for "TheBottle Blowers" warning. Their onlylight is that of a clear moon shiningthrough the tiny window. All of asudden there's a wailing sound amongthe distant hills. The music starts off.The lights are put back on and in amatter of minutes the Barn is alive withmusic and dance.Next, the old Shanachie takes overand for the benefit of newcommers herelates the history of "The Ceili Barn".After him comes the sean-nos singerfollowed by more music and dancing.As this part of the session is reaching itsclimax, there's another wailing soundfrom the "Bottle Blowers". This timeit is a clear warning that the raidingparty is on the warpath.The session party immediately putout the lights; collect their instrumentsand make a quick exit. Minutes later,the raiding party enter. Some have gunswhile others carry lanterns. There is theusual dialogue one would e-xpect from araiding party in the given circumstances.Sheaves of corn are tossed about. Anold useless musical instrumentspecially left behind for the purpose -is kicked around the place. The candlesand parafin lamp are confiscated.Having found nothing of any importance,the raiding party leave . Shortlyafterwards there's another wailing soundin the distance. It is the all clear. Grad-ually , the ceili party enter. Candles areproduced so also is a paraffin lamp. Thesheaves of corn are restored to theirrightful place. After order has been restored,they get down to the nitty-grittyof what brought them there in the firstplace. More music, more songs anddance . It is now the storyteller's turn.He relates the sad story of Ireland andher uphill battle for her human and culturalrights, pointing out that one dayIreland will have the moral and financialsupport of a native Government.It is thought that the late Dr.Doug .as Hy de, who, needless to say ,played a leading role in the revival ofour ancient Irish Language, visited thisbarn in his younger days. Those werethe days when he scoured the countryin search of old people who had hungon tenaciously to their native tongue.It is also quite possible that therewere other cultural barns or hidingplaces up and down the counties, wherededicated Irish men and women labouredin the shadow of the "law" in an effortto keep the then smouldering embersof Ireland's great culture breathing.47