ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

CEOLANN -A CULTURALSUCCESS STORYOver two years have elapsed since thedoors of Ceolann were officially openedto the public and in that time all the aspirationsand all the dreams of theowners have been fulfilled. Purchasedby Craobh Leac Sna some four yearsago, the building was never intended tobe a commercial investment, but wouldserve as a cultural centre where theyouth of the district would be taughttraditional music, singing and dancing," and where these pupils would be affordedan opportunity to subsequentlydisplay their expertise.At the end of the current year, theBranch Runai will report that in twelvemonths, a total of 140 step dancingclasses have been held there, as well as25 music classes; 23 set and ceili classes;and 20 traditional singing classes. Onthe entertainment front, 11 OicheantaCheoil have been held, together with 6ceilithe, 5 concerts and the summerentertainment scheme - "Seo Cheoil"- ran for six weeks in July and August.This latter scheme proved very attractiveto natives and visitors alike andfeatured a sixty-minute stage show withtwelve artistes, followed by an informal "ceili. Thanks to the weekly music class,it was found possible to form twocabaret groups - and these alternatedfor the six weeks The annual HileCheoil ;. 'is an outstandingSu,,~ "fact that it had tocompete with tnc:: l,,·arranged MunsterFootball Final.In recent weeks the Comhaltascraobh embarked on an ambitious projectto record for posterity the localtraditional dances and dancers. Thefirst video session was a great successand as Ballyheigue man, Donal O'Neill,pointed his cameras at the old Eight­Hand Reels and Polkas, danced withelan by the young and the not so youngfrom Ballyheigue, Ballyduff, Causeway,Lyrecrompane as well as Lixnaw, a largeaudience could look back at a timesome fifty years ago when these werethe popular dances in the village halls ofNorth Kerry. The Ceolann Hall was an "ideal setting for such venture, with itsblazing turf fire at one end and at theother end John Joe Sheehy's colourfulback drop depicting the countryMOL AN OIGE: A group of young artistesfrom Cr. Leas Cn:! set the scene for a SeoCheoil session at Ceolann.thatched cottage standing at the villagecrossroads. In the next few monthsfurther recording sessions will be heldand the results will be treasured byfuture generations who will visit theCeolann Library.After two years there is little to showby way of wear and tear that Ceolann isin constant usage. This is because of thecare and attention lavished on thebuilding by the Management Committeeon which the fair sex predominate.There is still room for improvement inthe area surrounding the building, butwhen the debt is paid within two years,this too will receive attention. In themeantime, the youth of Lixnaw willensure that their heritage is in safekeeping and the Ceolann will continueto be what it was always intended tobe - a cultural home in the traditionalKingdom of Kerry.ROUNDSTONE MUSICALINSTRUMENTSI.D.A. PARK, ROUNDSTONECo. GalwayPhone: 095-35808Handmade Goatskin Bodhnins(decorated with celtic designs,initials, crests, etc. optional) TinWhistles, Harps, Bodhran TutorBook now also available.Mailing service to all countries16