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Creoir<br />
lris Oifigiuil Chomhaltas Ceolt6iTi Eireann<br />
Che Book of Craditional Music, Song and Dance<br />
comholtos Ceolt6iri €ireonn<br />
Im l 29 Uimhir 3 1997 41 SS No 790 004X<br />
Were the Bagpipes ever Banned 15 Echoes of Erin 11 30 6 Bheal go Beal 26<br />
in Scotland? 2 16 Ba llina hosts the Fleadh 12 31 Community Spirit in New Jersey 27<br />
2 Ireland au Quebec 4 17 Our New Comha ltas Senator 14 32 Co. Wexford Mus icians' unique<br />
3 Meath Harp Schoo l 4 18 Traditional Music Teachers 14 double at All-Ireland Fl ead h 27<br />
4 Ceo Draiochta 5 19 Making Sweet Music with Cairdin 15 33 Historical and Patriotic Ball ads 28<br />
5 Musicians Required for China 5 20 Paddy Canny 16 34 I;)'arda igh si Leacht ar Uaigh Raifte iri 30<br />
6 'Wonderfu l Australian Tour' 5 21 Fleadh Champ ions 17 35 The Reel Thing! 31<br />
7 GI6r Mhaigh Eo 6 22 t Slan, a Mhichil Dhilis 20 36 Major Loss fo r Comha ltas 31<br />
8 t Tom Grogan 6 23 From Boston to San Franc isco 21 37 Babs na nAmhran 32<br />
9 Older Than the Pyramids of Egypt 7 24 A Man of the Road 23 38 New York Law on Fam ine 32<br />
10 An Austra lian Thank You 8 25 Back to Ba ll ina for '98 24<br />
11 Boyne Va ll ey Cottage 8 26 The French Connection<br />
12 An tUachtaran ag and bhFleadh 9 with Limeri ck 24<br />
13 Songs of 1 798 9 27 Feile Sham hna na gCrann 25<br />
14 170,000 enjoy 'F leadh Fantastic' 28 t Martin Cooney 25<br />
at Ba llina 10 29 The Humours of Tulla 25<br />
TREOIR (4 1 SSN 0790 004X) is published quarterly by CCE, Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland . Single copies £2;<br />
Subscription Rates: Ireland and Britain £9; USA and Canada $20; Australia and New Zealand £14; O rders in the USA to be<br />
forwarded to Mrs Mai Whelan, Treoir, 244 W ardwell Road , Mineola, New York 11 501. Second Class Postage paid to Mineola<br />
PO, USPS 2 11 5. Orders in Canada to be forwarded to Ms Sa ll y Ca rro ll, 89 1 Coxwell Ave., Toronto M4C 361.<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> Ceolt6iri Eireann<br />
Cearnog Belgrave, Baile na Manach, Co. Atha Cliath, Ireland. Fan : (+353-1) 280 0295, Fax: (+353-1) 280 3759<br />
It wi ll be a further sign of Ireland's<br />
cu ltu ra l and artistic maturity when due<br />
recognition and acknowledgement are<br />
given to our native traditions in the life<br />
of the State. For too many years,<br />
elements such as traditi onal music, song<br />
and dance were at best peripheral in<br />
many areas such as education, tourism,<br />
funding, ete. It wi ll require a rad ica l and<br />
generous reappraisal of policymaking to<br />
ensure that the magnificent potential<br />
which exists in our native artforms has<br />
the necessary resources for its<br />
development.<br />
€ogoTfhocol<br />
The national treasu re which is Ireland's<br />
music, song and dance is no mere sevenday<br />
wonder; no latter-day commercial<br />
innovation - it is a ri ch, va ri ed and<br />
complex fabric w hich has been woven<br />
through the centuries by talented artists<br />
and composers. It has not only su rvived<br />
in to modem times but has prospered and<br />
been enhanced in times of challenge. It is<br />
the legacy of all age groups and classes .<br />
It has attracted the attenti on of scho lars<br />
throughout the world .<br />
State institutions now have an ideal<br />
opportunity to bring ou r native artforms<br />
Designed and typeset by Peanntr6naic Teo ran ta, 12 Beechview, Edmondstown, Dublin 16, Ireland .<br />
centre stage in national<br />
achnowledgement, policymaking and<br />
fund in g. Not to do so, wi ll earn us the<br />
scorn of an observant art worl d<br />
internationall y w ho are more and more<br />
attesting to the unique and priceless<br />
heritage wh ich we possess.<br />
It shou ld be an urgent priority to<br />
establish stru ctu res w hich wi ll enable<br />
the Irish nation to avail of the full<br />
potential of native artforms. Popular<br />
support wou ld exist for any positive<br />
moves w hich help to reflect the vast<br />
goodwill of the people in this regard.<br />
1
the Highlanders th an their music and<br />
song. There was certainly a w ide-spread<br />
disdain for the bagpipes among En glish<br />
and Low land soc iety, as there was a<br />
general contempt for all th ings<br />
H ighland, but this is quite different from<br />
there being an offi cial ban aga inst them.<br />
Dunca n Ban M ac intyre, for example,<br />
produced quite a number of songs from<br />
this period, in w hich he mentions the<br />
use of the pi pes w ithout any unusual<br />
duress. One poem celebra tes the return<br />
of weapons and the native garb to the<br />
Gaels, and no mention that th e status of<br />
th e pipes has changed . He in fact w rote<br />
six poems praising Gaelic and the<br />
bagp ipes between 1781 and 1789.<br />
Jacobite Memoirs<br />
We would expect the late 18th and ea rl y<br />
19th century historica l w riters, ali ve<br />
during the time, to have mentioned it.<br />
There are many Jacobite memoirs by<br />
people involved in the '45 Rising, and<br />
no one mentions a prohi bition aga inst<br />
the pipes. Th ere are also a numbel' of<br />
ex haustive 18th and 19th centu ry books<br />
about pfobaireacht and the bagpipes.<br />
Aga in, no wo:d of the matter.<br />
There are record s of weapons that<br />
people turned into government forces<br />
du ring the disa rm ing of the Highlands.<br />
No mention of pipes being turned in.<br />
The Act was repealed into 1782,<br />
repeating the condition of the Act and<br />
w ithout mention of the bagpipes.<br />
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F6N: 01-2800295<br />
FAX: 01 -2803759<br />
Mr. Frank Patterson with his wife Eily O 'Crady being presented w ith a Tyronne Crystal Bowl as<br />
one of the honoree's at the 1997 Spring Ball of the Ireland Chamber of Commerce in 51. Louis.<br />
The award was presented by Helen Cannon and the elfenings enterta inment was all prolfided<br />
by the loca l <strong>Comhaltas</strong> Branch 51. Louis Irish Arts who will aga in team lip w ith Frank Patterson<br />
of M arch 7th and 8th, 1998 to perform w ith the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
An tUachtar6n ag an bh Fleadh<br />
President Mary<br />
Robinson<br />
speaking to<br />
Sean and<br />
Margaret<br />
Doherty from<br />
the Perth<br />
branch of CCE<br />
in Australia,<br />
watched by lo<br />
Morris and<br />
Clement<br />
MacSuibne.<br />
Songs of 1798<br />
Y -o ublished<br />
by CI6 Sao irse, was<br />
launched at Fleadh Cheo il na<br />
hEireann, in Ba llina, Co. Mayo,<br />
last August.<br />
This is a new edition of a collection first<br />
published in 1982 and it has the sub title<br />
'Bliain na bh Francach '. Since it is lin ked<br />
to the land ing of General Humbert's<br />
expedition in KiHala it has a distinctly<br />
West of Ire land orientation . .<br />
The contents are present in their<br />
historical context, with plenty of notes<br />
and explanations, illustrations and<br />
documents of the period, Republican<br />
Proclamations and Dublin Castle<br />
Bu lletins.<br />
Wexford, Antrim and Down are also well<br />
represented, with such songs as The<br />
Croppy Bo y, Boolavogue, Henry Joy and<br />
General Munroe. The recitations include<br />
The Man from God Knows Where, Paid<br />
O'Donoghue, An Croipf Bocht and An<br />
Gunnad6ir Mac Aoidh. The music is<br />
included for some of the songs.<br />
Clement Mac<br />
Suibhne,<br />
Uachtaran an<br />
Chomhaltais, ag<br />
caint ag an<br />
bhFailtiu do<br />
Uachtaran na<br />
hEireann.<br />
Waiting for the President (I-r) Labhras 6 MurchU, Seosaimhfn Mhic<br />
Suibhne, Clement Mac Suibhne, CUr. Terry McCole, Mrs Moffac<br />
Minister Tom Moffat, T.D., Padraig 0 Laimhfn and Eamonn Wa lsh.<br />
Senator Labhras 6<br />
MurchU Ardstiurth6fr<br />
CCE, greeting<br />
Uachtaran na<br />
hEireann Mary<br />
Robinson, with<br />
Clement<br />
MacSuibhne<br />
Uachtaran CC£;<br />
Seosaimhfn Mhic<br />
Shuibhne, Mrs Tom<br />
Moffat.<br />
The first Irish patriotic ballads in English,<br />
as we know them, date from the second<br />
half of the eighteenth centu ry, but many<br />
of the 1798 ba ll ads were written for the<br />
centenary in 1898. This particu lar<br />
coll ection is not exhaustive, but it is<br />
complete enough to give a representative<br />
selection, in both Irish and Engli sh . The<br />
74 pages are packed with supporting<br />
explanatory material, including a diary<br />
and map of Humbert's campaign in<br />
Ireland. The cover, presentation and<br />
layout are first class.<br />
It is a pity that the ed itor, Sean 6<br />
Bradaigh, did not expand it by another<br />
16 or 20 pages and give us, among<br />
others, The Wind that Shakes the Barley<br />
and Billy Bryne of Ba llymanus.<br />
This coll ection, gath ered in English,<br />
Iri sh and French from written sources<br />
and Iri sh folklore, wi ll become an<br />
in va luab le addition to the literature of<br />
the Bicentenary of 1978, wh ich is<br />
almost upon us. It is a handsome<br />
vo lume and is reasonably priced at<br />
£2.50. It is on sale in An Cu lturl ann<br />
and in Bru Boru.<br />
Songs of 1978 - Bliain na bhFrancach.<br />
CI6 Saoirse, 223 Parnell St., Dublin 1.<br />
- The Balladmaker
echoes of erin<br />
7dCanada featuring direct from<br />
he 1997 <strong>Comhaltas</strong> Concert<br />
Tour of the United States and<br />
Ireland the tops in Irish traditional<br />
entertainment.<br />
Echoes of Erin, the 26th Annual Concert<br />
Tour of the United States and Canada, is<br />
from the 5th October to the 28th<br />
October. It is a proud occasion marking<br />
as it does a monumental achievement not<br />
only of sustaining the Tour over all these<br />
years but developing it into a major<br />
cu ltural event. The Tour is sponsored by<br />
Budwieser, Waterford Crystal and The<br />
Cultural Relations Committee of Ireland's<br />
Department of Foreign Affairs.<br />
From this Tour programme has grown a<br />
vibrant <strong>Comhaltas</strong> movement in North<br />
America with 40 branches promoting the<br />
native cu lture of Ireland and forging<br />
strong links between thi s vast continent<br />
and the homeland. Thousands of Irish<br />
Americans (and non-Irish) play Irish<br />
traditional music and vis it Ireland on a<br />
regular basis.<br />
The 18-strong group se lected for th is<br />
Tour are Sean Norman, MC and<br />
Melodeon (Offaly); Brenda McCann,<br />
Fiddle (Fermanagh); Colette Beagon,<br />
Fiddle (Monaghan); Marie O'Meara,<br />
Flute (Tipperary); Sarah Jane Woods,<br />
Flute (D ublin); Ned Kelly, 2-row<br />
Accordeon (Tipperary); John McGurran,<br />
2-row Accordeon (Ferm anagh); Mikie<br />
Smyth, Uillean n Pipes (D ublin); John<br />
Morrow, Banjo (Leitrim); Padraigin<br />
Caesar, Harp and Singer (Ca rlow); Aileen<br />
O'Connor, Singer (Roscommon); Daisy<br />
Kearney, Seanchai (Limerick); Maeve<br />
Galvin and Treacy Smith, Dancers<br />
He added that the<br />
fantastic fireworks on<br />
the Sunday night<br />
meant that the Fl ead h<br />
ended with a bang<br />
and that Ballina went<br />
out w ith a bang.<br />
Eamonn Walsh,<br />
Fleadh PRO and the<br />
man who laun ched a<br />
campaign to get the<br />
Fl ead h to Ballina two<br />
years ago, said the<br />
Fl ead h in Ballina had<br />
(Donegal); Geoffrey Hayes,<br />
Dancer (Tipperary) and Brian<br />
Geraghty, Dancer (Roscommon);<br />
Tour Manager is Tony Finnegan<br />
(Meath) and sound technician is<br />
John McElligott (Kerry).<br />
The venues for the 1997 Tour<br />
are as follows: Mineola, Staten<br />
Isl and, Washington DC, Pearl<br />
River', Waltham, Clinton,<br />
Buffalo, Waterloo Ont. Montreal,<br />
Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury, Saint<br />
John, Halifax, Chicago, St Louis,<br />
Ann Arbor and Cleveland .<br />
Some of the IB-strong<br />
Tour group of <strong>Comhaltas</strong><br />
Ceolt6irf Eireann preparing<br />
for their 26th annual Tour<br />
of North America (I-r)<br />
Mikie Smyth, uilleann<br />
pipes (Dublin); Sarah Jane<br />
Woods, flute (Dublin);<br />
Padraigfn Caesar; harp<br />
/Carlow); Tony Finnegan,<br />
Manager (Meath); Sean<br />
Norman, melodeon<br />
(Offa ly).<br />
been the mother of all Fleadhs. 'Spread<br />
over th e three days there were 170,000<br />
people in Ballina and all of the<br />
Com haltas Ard Com hairle have given<br />
top praise to Ballina,' he said.<br />
There were some hi ccups but allowing<br />
for the fact it was a new town for the<br />
fleadh it was most successful and<br />
everyone is happy w ith it. There were<br />
many exceptiona l highlights in Ballina,<br />
the attendance of the Pres ident, the<br />
pageant and fireworks, the dome and<br />
the hospitality and friendliness of<br />
everyone.<br />
Members of the IB-strong Troup group of <strong>Comhaltas</strong><br />
Ceolt6irf Eireann preparing for the 26th annual Concert<br />
Tour of North America (/-r) traditional story-teller Daisy<br />
Kearney (Limerick); singer Aileen O'Connor<br />
(Roscommon); and accordeonist Ned Kelly (Tipperary).<br />
Tapping Toes: Dancers<br />
Tracey Smith and Maeve<br />
Calvin of Donegal<br />
demonstrating their dancing<br />
skills to the music of Brenda<br />
McCann, fiddle (Fermanagh);<br />
John McCurrann, 2-row<br />
accordeon (Fermanagh) and<br />
Colette Beagon, fiddle<br />
(Monaghan), as they prepare<br />
for the 26th annual<br />
Comha ltas Concert Tour of<br />
the United States and<br />
Canada.<br />
11
comholtos Ceolt6iri €ireonn<br />
Making Sweet Music with C6irdin<br />
you ever wondered why<br />
all the greatest Irish accordeon<br />
Jf:ave<br />
players have had to play their<br />
music on an accordeon not made in<br />
Ireland? All of that is now changing<br />
with the arrival of Ciiirdfn, the first<br />
Irish made accordeon.<br />
Ca irdfn is a coll aboration between<br />
M ichae l Sea rson and Paddy Clancy. The<br />
intention is to build button accordeons<br />
in Ireland that are designed to enhance<br />
the playing of Irish trad itional musi c.<br />
You might ask w hat gives Michael and<br />
Paddy th eir unique insight into th e<br />
button accordeon. The answe r to that<br />
question is not only their love of Irish<br />
traditional mu sic but their deep<br />
understanding - as accomplished<br />
musicians - of w hat an accordeon<br />
player is lookin g fo r.<br />
Both Michael and Paddy began their<br />
musical ca ree rs as youn gsters. Paddy in<br />
the heartland of Limerick and Michael<br />
in London, encouraged by his Ti pperary<br />
parents. Many yea rs have been spent<br />
by both practising and play in g in<br />
competitions. It was this particular<br />
rou te w hi ch brought them togetherculminating<br />
in Fleadh Cheo il na<br />
hEirea nn in Kilkenny in 1988.<br />
It was here that Paddy won th e<br />
All-Ireland Senior title and Michael<br />
came second. What followed is now<br />
history and was to be the spa rk w hich<br />
ignited the w hole Ca irdin project.<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> Tour<br />
After the All-Ireland Final in Kilkenny<br />
both Michael and Paddy were in vited<br />
Michael and<br />
Paddy with<br />
two of their<br />
'creations'<br />
on the <strong>Comhaltas</strong> Tour of the USA and<br />
Ca nada . It was on thi s tour, on those<br />
long nights travelling between American<br />
and Ca nad ian citi es, th at Paddy and<br />
Michael, on the back of the bus, began<br />
planning for one day in th e future. They<br />
would produce the perfect Irish made<br />
accordeon allow ing accordeonists to<br />
truly express themselves.<br />
Paddy's background co nce ntrated on<br />
repairing and tuning accordeons and so<br />
he had a special insight into the great<br />
va ri eties of accordeons ci rcu lating in<br />
Ireland. He was thus ab le to identify the<br />
strengths and weaknesses of the many<br />
boxes. But this was only half the story. It<br />
I R D<br />
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2nd Kate Marquis, Cr.<br />
Aughnamullen CCE, CO.<br />
Muineachain; 3rd Fran ces<br />
Morton, Irish Minstrels CCE,<br />
Glasgow; Snr.: 1st Catriona<br />
Ni Chlochasaigh, Castleconnell /<br />
Ahane / Herbertstown cd Co.<br />
Luimni; 2nd Raisin Ni<br />
Dhonnacha, Cr. Carna CCE CO.<br />
na Gaillimhe; 3rd Majella Bertley,<br />
Cr. Corcaghan CCE, CO.<br />
Muineachain.<br />
FEADOG STAIN FOINN MALLA: Fe 12:<br />
1st Edward Looney, Kilorglin<br />
cct Co. Chiarrai; 2nd Mairead<br />
Phelan, Cr. Osrai CCE, CO. Chill<br />
Chainnigh; 3rd Mairead<br />
Hennessy, Caiseal Mumhan CCE,<br />
CO. Thiobraid Arann; 12/15; 1st<br />
Rioghnach Connolly, Cr St.<br />
Mochuas CCE, CO. Ard Mhacha;<br />
2nd Caroline Ni Shuilleabhain,<br />
Cr Sraid a Mhillinn cct Co.<br />
Chorcai; 3rd Noel McLoughlin,<br />
Cr Leitir Ceannann CCE, Dun na<br />
nGall; 15/18; 1st Catriona Ni<br />
Mhaoldomhnaigh, Ma Rua (An<br />
Cheapach Mhor, Co. Luimni; 2nd<br />
Frances Morton, Irish Minstrels<br />
CCE, Glasgow; 3rd Theresa<br />
Coleman, Leicester CCE,<br />
England; Snr: 1st Majella Bartley,<br />
Cr. Corcaghan CCt, Co.<br />
Muineachain; 2nd Noirin Ni<br />
Mhurchu, Cr. Sr. a Mhuilinn CCE<br />
CO. Chorcai; 3rd Mairead Ni<br />
Charthaigh, Cill Mhocheallog<br />
CCE, CO. Luimnf.<br />
CEOL 8EIRTE: 1st Mairead Hurley &<br />
Laura Gaffney, Ballymote CCE,<br />
CO. Sligo; 2nd David<br />
McUileagoid & Eamon 6<br />
Murchu, Carlow CCE, CO.<br />
Carlow; 3rd Tony & Hugh<br />
O'Neill, Markethill, Co. Ard<br />
Mhacha; 12/15: 1st Padraig 6<br />
Neill & Donal Regan, Cluain<br />
Tarbh & Sean Tracey CCE, CO.<br />
Baile Atha Cliath; 2nd Carmel<br />
Doohan & Clive Earley, Doora<br />
Barefield CCE, CO. an Chlair; 3rd<br />
Louise & Michelle<br />
Ni Mhaolcathaigh, Teampaill a'<br />
Ghleanntain CCE, CO. Luimni;<br />
15/18: 1st Carmel O'Dea &<br />
Carmel Hehir, St Cecilia's cd,<br />
Co. an Chlair; 2nd Fergal O'Neill<br />
& Colm Regan, Cluain Tarbh &<br />
Sean Tracey CCE, Baile Atha<br />
Cliath; 3rd Brendan Callahan &<br />
Aran Olwell, O'Neill Malcolm<br />
cd USA; Snr: 1st Aisling & Alan<br />
6 Choisdeabha, Roscrea CCE,<br />
CO. Thiobraid Arann; 2nd Antoin<br />
6 Conaill & Diarmuid O'Brien,<br />
An Ghleann CCE, CO. Luimni;<br />
34d Collette Beagon & Majella<br />
Bartley, Corcaghan CCE, CO.<br />
Monaghan.<br />
CEOL TRIlJR: Fe 12: 1st Gina &<br />
Louise Reidy & Aine Jones, St.<br />
Mochulla's cct Co. an Chlair;<br />
2nd M. Glynn, A. Moloney & T.<br />
Reilly, Corofin CCE, CO. na<br />
Gaillimhe; 3rd Yvonne & Padraig<br />
Bolton & Keith Brennan, Spink<br />
CCE, Co. Laoi s; 12/15: 1st C.<br />
O'Sullivan, C. Earley, & c.<br />
Doohan, Doora-Barefield CCE &<br />
St Cecilias cd; 2nd M . Kelly, C.<br />
O'Connor & M. Kane, North<br />
London CCE, England ; 3rd Ciara<br />
& Eoghan Gillespie & Evan<br />
Morrissey, Cr. Chualann CCE,<br />
Baile Atha Cliath; 15/18; M. & F.<br />
Scahill & c. McDonagh, Corofin<br />
CCE, CO. na Gaillimhe; 2nd A.<br />
McMahon, D. McArdle & J.<br />
McGleenan, Cr. Baile Mhic an<br />
Aba, Co. Ard Mhaca; 3rd A.<br />
Gaffney, M&S Linnane, St. Albans<br />
CCE, England; Snr: 1st Darragh<br />
Patwell, Alan & Aisling<br />
Coisdealbha, Roscrea CCE, CO.<br />
Thiobraid Arann; 2nd Ernestine &<br />
Orla Ui Ealai & Holly Nic<br />
Oireachtaigh, Baile an Daighin,<br />
Co. Mhuigh Eo; 3rd S.<br />
6 hEarachain, N. 6 Cionnaith, &<br />
P. 6 Maolmhuaidh, Talamh Ban<br />
Cluain Ceabhain CCE, CO.<br />
Mhuigh Eo.<br />
BuioN CHEOIL CHEILi: 1st St.<br />
Colemans Corofin CCE, CO. na<br />
Gaillimhe; 2nd 'Caisl ea in<br />
Aerach: Caisleain a' Bharraigh<br />
cd, Co. Mhaigh Eo; 3rd<br />
Barefield National School Ceili<br />
Band, Co. an Chlair; 12/15; 1st<br />
Sean Treacy CCt, Bail e Atha<br />
Cliath; 2nd Cluain Tarbh cd,<br />
Baile Atha Cliath; 3rd Buion<br />
Cheoil Cheilf Irvinstown, Co.<br />
Fermanagh; 15/18: 1st Ceolus<br />
Ceili Band, Gort Leictreach cd,<br />
Co. Liatroma; 2nd Ceoltoiri Cora<br />
Finne, Corofin CCE, CO. na<br />
Gaillimhe; 3rd Ball ydonoghue /<br />
Lisselton CCE, CO. Chiarrai; Snr:<br />
1st The Bridge Ceili Band, Co.<br />
Laois; 2nd Ceoltoiri Conmhaicne,<br />
Gort Leictreach CCE, CO.<br />
Liatroma; 3rd Tain Beili Band,<br />
Dun Dealgan CCE, CO. Lu.<br />
GRupAi CHEOIL: Fe 12: 1st Tuar na<br />
Fola / Cill fde CCE, CO. Luimni;<br />
2nd Irish Mistrels, 'St Rochs A',<br />
Glasgow; 3rd St. Colemans<br />
Corofin cd, Co. na Gaillimhe;<br />
12/15: 1st St. Mochullas CCE,<br />
CO. an Chlair; 2nd Baile an<br />
Daighin cd, Co. Mhaigh Eo; 3rd<br />
Grupa Cheoil Eamon<br />
6 Muiri CCE, CO. Muineachain;<br />
15/18; 1st Tuar na Fola / Cill fde<br />
CCE, CO. Luimni; 2nd Naomh<br />
Mhichil CCE, CO. Luimni; 3rd<br />
Ceolas, Co. Liatroma; Snr; 1st<br />
Craobh Naithi CCE, Baile Atha<br />
Cliath; 2nd Grupa Col main<br />
Naofa, Maigh Eo; 3rd<br />
Castleconnell / Ahane/<br />
Herbertstown CCE, CO. Luimnf.<br />
BuioN CHEOIL CAIRDiN; Fe 18: 1st<br />
Castletara Youth Band, Antiduff,<br />
Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan; 2nd St.<br />
Patricks Youth Band, 54<br />
Derryleekagh Road, Newry, Co.<br />
an Dun; 3rd Athboy Accordian<br />
Band, Athboy, Co. Meath; Snr: 1st<br />
Fan ad Accordian Band,<br />
Kerrykeel, Co. Donega l; 2nd<br />
Banna Cheoil Murlog<br />
Lifford, Dun na nGall;<br />
Miguels Accordian<br />
Naofa,<br />
3rd St<br />
Band,<br />
Downpatrick, Co. Down.<br />
BuioN CHEOIL FEADOG MHOR: ·Fe<br />
18: 1st Buion Cheoill Chnoileach,<br />
Dungloe, Donegal; 2nd Tomas 6<br />
Fi ach, Junior Flute Band, Armagh;<br />
Snr.: 1st Maghery Flute & Drum<br />
Band, Dungloe, Dun na nGall;<br />
2nd Cloney Flute Band, Ahoghill,<br />
Co. Antrim.<br />
COMORTAS 29; BuioN ROGHA<br />
GHLEAS: Fe 18: 1st Tw in Towns<br />
Community Band, Ballybofey,<br />
Co. Dun na nGall ; 2nd<br />
Donoghmoyne Youth Band,<br />
Castleblaney, Co. Muineachain;<br />
3rd Harp & Shamrock, Cl ara<br />
CCE, Offaly; Snr: 1st St<br />
Columbas, Manorcunningham,<br />
Co. Donegal; 2nd Buion Cheoil<br />
Cloich Cheana Fhaol ,<br />
Falcarraigh, Co. Donegal; 3rd St.<br />
Nailes, Kinawley, Co.<br />
Ferman agh.<br />
BuioN CHEOIL PHioB: Aon Aois: 1st<br />
Clonoe Pipe Band, Coal isl and,<br />
Co. Tyrone; 2nd North Coast Pipe<br />
Band, USA; 3rd Aghagallow Pipe<br />
Band, Co. Antrim.<br />
AMHRAN GAEILGE MNA: Fe 12: 1st<br />
Nollaig Ni Laoire, Dunderry CCE,<br />
CO. na Mi; 2nd Eloise Ni Lorcain,<br />
Cr an Ceathru Ru a, Co. na<br />
Gaillimhe; 3rd Sinead<br />
Breathnach, Cr. Min na Croise<br />
CCE, CO. Dun na nGall ; 12/15:<br />
1st fde Nic Mhathuna, Cr Naithi<br />
CCE, Baile Atha Cliath; 2nd<br />
Bl athnaid Ni Dhonnachd a,<br />
Doora/Barefield, Co. an Chlair;<br />
3rd Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain,<br />
Caisleain a' Bharraigh CCt, Co.<br />
Mhaigh Eo; 15/18: 1st Bridin Ni<br />
Chonghaile, Indreabhain cd,<br />
Co. na Gaillimhe; 2nd Aistrid Ni<br />
Mhongain, Cr. Chriostoir Ui<br />
Chearnaigh cd, Co. Mhaigh Eo;<br />
3rd Emer Ni Fhoghlu, Cr.<br />
Thraolaigh Mhic Suibhne cd,<br />
Co. Chorcai; Snr: 1st Maire<br />
Ni Cheilleachair, Cr. Thraol ach<br />
Mhic Suibhne cd, Co. Chorcai;<br />
2nd Celia Ni Fhlatharta, Baile na<br />
hAbhann CCE, CO. na Gaillimhe;<br />
3rd Cait Nic Suibhne, Caisleain a'<br />
Bharraigh CCE CO. Mhaigh Eo.<br />
AMHRAN GAEILGE Fir: Fe 12: 1st<br />
Seam us Mac Chonchille, Cr. Min<br />
na Croise, Co. Dun na nGall ; 2nd<br />
Thomas Gleeson, Cr. Paddy<br />
O ' Brien Ormond CCE, CO.<br />
Thiobraid Arann; 3rd Aodh<br />
Breathnach, Cr. Min na Croise<br />
CCE, CO. Dun na nGall; 12/15;<br />
1st Oisin 6 Mongain, Cr<br />
Chriostoir Ui Chearnaigh cd,<br />
Co. Mhuigh Eo; 2nd Stiofan M ac<br />
Carthaigh, Cr. na Faille Moire<br />
CCE, CO. Chiarrai; 3rd Fiachra<br />
6 Mongain, Cr. Chriostoir Ui<br />
Chearnaigh CCE, CO. Mhaigh Eo;<br />
15/18: 1st Linus O'Donnell, Cr.<br />
Aghyaran CCE, CO. Hr Eoghain;<br />
2nd Conor Walsh, Lyreacromane<br />
CCE, Co. Chiarrai; 3rd Diarmuid<br />
Mac Gearailt, an Ghleann CCE,<br />
CO. Luimni; Snr: 1st Traolach<br />
6 Conghaile, Cr. Cathair na Mart<br />
CCE, CO. Mhaigh Eo; 2nd Naoise<br />
6 Mongain, Cr. Chriostoir Ui<br />
Chearnaigh cd, Co. Mhaigh Eo;<br />
3rd Bartie Breathn ach, Carna<br />
cd, Co. na Gaillimhe.<br />
AMHRAN BEARLA MNA: 1st Caitriona<br />
Ni Ghamhain, Atha Luain CCE,<br />
CO. Roscomain; 2nd Ann Marie<br />
Kavanagh, Buireas Ui Luioch<br />
CCE CO. Thiobraid Arann; 3rd<br />
Sarah Fleming, Corofin cd Co.<br />
na Gaillimhe; 12/15: 1st Catriona<br />
Roberts, Clonkeen CCE, CO.<br />
Chiarrai; 2nd fde Nic Mhathuna,<br />
Cr. Naithi cd, Baile Atha Cliath;<br />
3rd Naoimi Ni Fhi achra,<br />
Caisleain a' Bharraigh CCE, CO.<br />
Mhaigh Eo; 15/18: 1st Christina<br />
Pierce, Roscommon CCt, Co.<br />
Roscomain; 2nd Theresa<br />
Coleman, Leicester CCE,<br />
England; 3rd Denise Flaherty,<br />
Cloghan CCE, CO. Offaly; Snr: 1st<br />
Fionnuala O' Reilly, Drumsna<br />
cct Co. Liatroma; 2nd Aileen<br />
O'Connor, Ath Luain CCE, CO.<br />
Roscomain; 3rd Kathleen Ford,<br />
Cr. Leitir Ceannainn, Co. Dun na<br />
nGal1.<br />
AMHRAN BEARLA FIR: Fe 12: 1st Mark<br />
McKenna, Cr Emyvale CCE, CO.<br />
Muineachain; 2nd Ferdia 6<br />
Mongain, Cr. Chriostoir Ui<br />
Chearnaigh CCE, CO. Mhaigh Eo;<br />
3rd Ned Mulreedy, North London<br />
CCE; 12/15: 1st Phi lip Clarke,<br />
Clane CCE, CO. Kildare; 2nd<br />
Oisin 6 Mongain, Cr. Chriostoir<br />
Ui Chearnaigh CCE, CO. Mhaigh<br />
Eo; 3rd Thomas Hayes, Galway<br />
CCE CO. Gaillimh; 15/18: 1st<br />
Nicky Kealy, Carlow CCE, CO.<br />
Carlow; 2nd John Joe Williams,<br />
Cr Dun Lathai, Aontroma; 3rd<br />
Patrick Coil ins, Beanntrai cd,<br />
Co. Chorcai; Snr.: 1st John Power,<br />
Moonvoy, Tramore, Co.<br />
Waterford; 2nd Brendan Nugent,<br />
Cr. Dromore cd, r=o. Thir<br />
Eoghain; 3rd Padd y Costello,<br />
Headford CCt, Co. na Gaillimhe.<br />
FEADAiL: 1st Una Phelan, Mt.<br />
Mellick CCt, Co. Lao is ; 2nd<br />
Nadia Markey, Cr. Aughnamullen<br />
CCE, CO. Muineachain ; 3rd<br />
Samantha Reid, Aughrim cd,<br />
Co. Wicklow; 12/15: 1st Peter<br />
Cosgrove, Bannow CCE, CO.<br />
Wexford; 2nd Tony Curtin,<br />
Seipeal na Carraige cd, Co.<br />
Chorcai; 3rd Niall Markey, Cr.<br />
Aughnamullen CCE, CO.<br />
Muineachain; 15/18: 1st Claire<br />
Doherty, Bellaghy CCE, CO.<br />
Derry; 2nd Colm Coffer, Bannow<br />
CCt, Co. Wexford; 3rd<br />
Bernadette Collins, Seipeal na<br />
Carraige cd, Co. Chorcai; Snr:<br />
1st Liam 6 Caoimh, Aughrim<br />
CCE, CO. Wicklow; 2nd Michael<br />
O ' Dwyer, Sailbheaster<br />
MacConmhaigh CCE, CO.<br />
19
From Boston to San Francisco<br />
Kitty Curran of the Boston Convention<br />
committee pictured w ith Labhras 6 MurchU.<br />
Kitty is wife of travel agent and broadcaster<br />
John Curran. She is a sister of Paddy Ryan,<br />
Oifigeach Cheoil of <strong>Comhaltas</strong>.<br />
r:h<br />
he<br />
held in San Francisco on the 17/ 19<br />
1998 North American<br />
Convention of <strong>Comhaltas</strong> will be<br />
April. As a reminder of what is in store<br />
for those lucky enough to have made<br />
reservations for this great Irish cultural<br />
event, Boston's Frank Kennedy looks<br />
back on that most memorable 1997<br />
Convention.<br />
The continuing growth in popu larity of<br />
traditional Irish music and dance was in<br />
full evidence at the North American<br />
Convention of <strong>Comhaltas</strong>, he ld in Boston<br />
on April 11-13, 1997. Celebrating the<br />
25th ann iversary of <strong>Comhaltas</strong> in North<br />
America, nearly 2,000 people attended<br />
o§ilrs, music and dance workshops,<br />
seisiuns, meetings, lectures and a gala<br />
Saturday evening banquet.<br />
Co-chaired by Larry Reynolds and Frank<br />
Kennedy and supported by a very<br />
talented and hard-working committee,<br />
the convention attendees were very<br />
generous in their praise of the events,<br />
organisation, venue selection, and<br />
quality of the programmes. Workshop<br />
presenters included Seamus Connolly<br />
(fiddle); Paddy Keenan (uillean pipes);<br />
Jack Coen (flute); Gear6id 6<br />
hAllmhurain (concertina); Mick Maloney<br />
(banjo); Joe Derrane (piano accordion);<br />
Minister Alan Dukes,<br />
T.D . (centre) pictured<br />
wiht John and Kitty<br />
Curran (left) and Larry<br />
and Phyllis Reynolds at<br />
Convention '97. Larry<br />
was co-chairman of<br />
the Convention.<br />
Ceol go Maidin ag<br />
Comhdhail '97 I<br />
mBoston.<br />
Well Done, Bill!<br />
Convention cochairman<br />
Frank<br />
Kennedy (right) making<br />
a presentation to Bill<br />
McEvoy.<br />
One of the many fine<br />
sessions at Convention<br />
'97 in Boston.<br />
21
Feile shamhna<br />
Shamhna na gCrann/<br />
Laethanta na Du i Ileoga (The<br />
!Jseile<br />
Samh ain Festival of Trees/The<br />
Days of the Leaves) is a unique annual<br />
celebration of trees initiated by Crann<br />
in 1996. It will take place between 1st<br />
October and 16th November 1997. The<br />
Feile is being facilitated by Crann<br />
through its Dublin Branch. A steering<br />
committee, made up of Crann and all<br />
interested tree organisations, will<br />
oversee the Feile which will consist of<br />
tree plantings, tree walks, tree talks and<br />
Irish/Celtic and international cultural<br />
events celebrating the function, folklore<br />
and mythology of trees in various<br />
cultures. There will be cultural<br />
exchanges and a celebration of the<br />
rainforests of the world, their<br />
indigenous peoples and the promotion<br />
of sustainable lifestyles in woodland<br />
settings, heralding in a new approach<br />
to woodland development for the next<br />
millennium which has been pioneered<br />
by Crann. Trees and tree-culture will be<br />
celebrated by means of pageantry,<br />
poetry, I iterature, music, song and<br />
dance.<br />
nagCrann<br />
A calendar of events will be prepared<br />
by the steering committee who hereby<br />
invite all interested organisations and<br />
individuals to make proposals to<br />
organise or sponsor events and/or<br />
venues. The Feile will include<br />
exhibitions of photography, painting,<br />
wood turning, other woodcrafts, wood<br />
sculpture together with demonstrations<br />
of wood crafts and forestry techniques.<br />
Events will take place at suitable<br />
venues throughout Ireland both North<br />
and South and at various venues<br />
throughout the world.<br />
If you are interested in any aspect of<br />
Feile Shamhna na gCrannILaethanta na<br />
Duilleoga (The Samhain Festival of<br />
Trees/The Days of Leaves) please<br />
contact the Steering Committee at:<br />
erann Dublin & East branch<br />
107 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 3.<br />
Telephone 01 661 4926 or 8325415<br />
Fax 01 661 4959<br />
Che Humours of Cu 11a<br />
2<br />
he Humours of Tulla started in<br />
1996 to mark the 50th<br />
anniversary of the Tulla Ceilf Band<br />
and the 60th anniversary of the Tulla<br />
Pipe Band . The celebrations were such<br />
a success that it was decided to<br />
continue this year.<br />
Our aim is to provide as much<br />
traditional music as we can afford over<br />
the weekend and to do this as cheaply<br />
as possible. We had cover charges last<br />
year of £1. I enclose posters of this<br />
year's events. We haven't yet decided<br />
on cover charges but the charges for<br />
the night time Ceilfs will probably be<br />
£2 (which is as good as anyone can<br />
hope for). The financial aim of the<br />
weekend is to break even. All the listed<br />
pub sessions will be free.<br />
I would appreciate any publicity you<br />
might be able to give us in your<br />
magazine.<br />
Micheal 6 T6rpaigh<br />
Martin Cooney<br />
t<br />
We were very saddened and<br />
shaken on Monday morning,<br />
25th August in Ballina when<br />
we learned that Martin Cooney,<br />
flautist had died at a music session at<br />
Fleadh na hEireann on Sunday night<br />
(R.I.P.).<br />
Martin was one of the well-known<br />
Cooney family in musical and<br />
dancing circles from Littleton. The<br />
esteem in which he was held was<br />
reflected in the huge attendance at<br />
the funeral on both days.<br />
At Requiem Mass on Thursday in<br />
Glengoole, musicians came from all<br />
parts of the country including piper<br />
Eamon Walsh who was responsible<br />
for Ball ina being chosen to host 1997<br />
Fleadh . There were wonderful tunes<br />
played before, during and after Mass<br />
by local and faraway musicians.<br />
Just before Martin's remains left the<br />
church we had music from Joe Burke<br />
and Martin's son Michael on pipes<br />
with his nephew Michael Cooney<br />
dancing on altar steps in celebration<br />
of Martin's life and his love for music.<br />
The huge congregation included<br />
Senators Labhras 6 Murchu and Des<br />
Hanafin, Padraig 6 Ceallaigh former<br />
President of <strong>Comhaltas</strong> Ceolt6irf<br />
Eireann and Michael O'Kennedy, T.D .<br />
The cortege was met on the outskirts<br />
of Littleton by Moycarkey Pipe Band<br />
and escorted into the graveyard, and<br />
despite the inclement weather we<br />
had more music after the burial.<br />
Martin will be sadly missed from the<br />
Wednesday nights' music sessions in<br />
'The Monks'.<br />
Condolences to Martin's wife, his<br />
three daughters and three sons and<br />
his extended family.<br />
P.R.O. Thiobraid Arann<br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
gq
is based, in fact, on an ancient Wexford<br />
folk-tune. Limerick Poet Robert Dwyer<br />
Joyce wrote the words, and recalled that<br />
the accompanying Air was very popular<br />
throughout M unster in his youth . It was<br />
said to have been 'Iilted by a defiant<br />
Wexford rebel retreati ng after the Battle<br />
of Vinegar Hill'. It was first published in<br />
Dwyer-Joyce's 'Ancient Irish Music' of<br />
1812, and also included in Hoffman's<br />
Edition of George Petrie's 'Ancient Music<br />
of Ireland' (Page 50). Undoubtedly, the<br />
true fighting sp irit of Wexfordmen is<br />
encapsul ated in the following lines:<br />
'I want no gold to nerve my arm<br />
to die a true man's part,<br />
To free my land I'd gladly give<br />
the red drops fro m my heart.<br />
CHORUS<br />
We are the Boys of<br />
Wexford<br />
Who fought with heart<br />
and hand,<br />
To burst in twain the<br />
galling chain<br />
and free our native land'.<br />
The ballad<br />
'BOOLAVOGUE' is<br />
certa inly everyone's<br />
favourite for patri oti c as<br />
well as for sentimental<br />
reasons! It is sung to a tune<br />
known as 'Youghal<br />
Harbour', and was first<br />
published in the 'Irish Weekly<br />
Independent' of January 18, 1898, the<br />
Centenary year of the '98 Rebellion. Its<br />
author, the highly esteemed Patrick J.<br />
McCall, is believed to have found<br />
inspiration for it in an old ballad ca lled<br />
'Come all Ye Warriors'. A va ri ant is found<br />
in Fr Patri ck Walsh's famous 'SONGS OF<br />
THE GAEL' (Part 4, Page 150), under the<br />
title 'Fr Murphy of Co. Wexford'. It is also<br />
closely akin to another well-known song,<br />
'At Monaseed on a Su mmer Morning'.<br />
The 'Boolavogue' song simply records<br />
the earl y Victories of the Insurgents, and<br />
recalls the ghou lish death meted out to<br />
their revered mentor and leader, Fr John<br />
Murphy:<br />
'At Vinegar Hill, o'er the pleasant Slaney,<br />
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,<br />
And the Yoes at Tullow took Fr Murphy,<br />
And burned his body upon the rack'.<br />
Irish<br />
Wooden Flutes<br />
Ltd<br />
(Tom Ganley)<br />
Manufacturers of:<br />
V Wooden Concert Flutes<br />
V Wooden Whistles & Fifes<br />
Loughlynn<br />
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon<br />
Tel: (0907) 80115<br />
_____________________________________________ 29
D'6rdaigh si Leacht ar<br />
Uaigh Uaifteiri<br />
Se6n Ua Cearnaigh<br />
a corradh le hocht scar bliain<br />
imithe a d'eag Antoine 6 2; Reachtabhra, Raifteiri na namhran,<br />
a ndea rn a a chuid saothair rud eigin<br />
chun cian a thogail de mhuintir a linne.<br />
Fos fein ta a ain m in airde in Eirinn agus<br />
ta eil eam h agus rachairt ar a chuid<br />
amhran agus danta i gconaf. Bhi<br />
Raifteiri ar na fili pobail ba mho a<br />
saolaiod h i gCu ige Co nnachta agus ta<br />
neart scealta gleoite aga inn faoi eachtrai<br />
airithe a bhain do fein no da chairde<br />
aimsir a bheo.<br />
Ta an t- ad h I inn sa mheid gur mhai r<br />
cuimhne na n-eachtraf sea go beD<br />
brfomhar i measc cu id den dream a bhi<br />
ar an sao l aimsi r Raifteirf, agus gur chas<br />
cu id de na daoine sea ar Dhubhglas de<br />
hide breis agus tri scar bliain i ndiaidh<br />
bhas an fhile gur ini s siad roinnt eigin<br />
den bhealoideas sea do. Mar sin nu air<br />
a thwg de hide faoina leabhr mar<br />
ABHRAIN agus DANTA an<br />
REACHTABHRAIGH a chur le cheil e<br />
bhf se in ann cuid de na scealta cea nn a<br />
a nascadh leis an bpriomh-abhar.<br />
D'eag Raifteirf ofche Nollag, 1835.<br />
Cuireadh e i reilig Chill Fhinfn oiche La<br />
'le Stiofain, ce gur oiche sto irmiuil<br />
ghaothmhar a bhi ann agus nach raibh<br />
mar sholas ag lu cht deanta na hu aighe<br />
ach cup la coinnea l nior mucad h na<br />
soi ll sf oiread agus uair amhai n, rud a<br />
thug le fios do gach einne a bhi ar an<br />
lathair, gur dhuine naofa ab ea an<br />
Reachtabhrach.<br />
Uaigh Can Leacht<br />
D'ainneoin sin, Mach, nior smaoinigh<br />
einne ri amh ar leac ht bheag no<br />
com hartha eigin eil e a ardu os cionn<br />
uaigh Raifteirf. Breis agus seasca bliain i<br />
ndiaidh a bhais chu ala an Bantiarna<br />
Gregory i bPairc na Cu ile scea lta agus<br />
sea nchas faoi Raifteirf a thaitin go mar<br />
lei. Rith se lei gur choir leacht cuf a ardu<br />
os cionn uaigh an fhile i gC il1 Fhinfn.<br />
Chu aigh sf i gcomhar le Dubhglas de<br />
hide agus ca irde eil e na Gaeilge gur<br />
socrafodh ar bheart a dhea namh gan<br />
mhoill. Ach bfodh an chuid eile den<br />
scea l aga inn on gCraoibhin Aoibhinn:<br />
'Do fagad h an file mar sin ins an tseanreilig<br />
i gC il1 Fhinin 'na chod lad h go<br />
samh i measc na ndao ine d'aithnigh se<br />
agus do ghrad haigh se. CU ig bliana agus<br />
trf fichid do 'na chod ladh ansin go ciu in,<br />
gan a chodlad h bheith buartha, go<br />
dtainig an seu la fichid de Lun asa, 1900.<br />
Do cru innfodh an la sin slu a mar daoi ne<br />
le cheil e as na bailte timpeall, agus<br />
daoine do thainig a 'bhfad, agus sagart<br />
oirmhinneach an pharoiste, agus daoine<br />
mar Eadbhard Martain a Cha islean<br />
Tulach an Adhartha, dha mhfle deag as<br />
sin, agus an Bhantiarna Gregory as an<br />
gCU il i bhfad don taobh suas den<br />
chontae, agus an tAthair Consaid in agus<br />
Dubhglas de hfde<br />
Bantiarna Cregory<br />
moran daoine eil e as Gaillimh, agus<br />
udar na Ifnte sea mar an gceanna. Do<br />
cruinn fodh iad ansin, idir fsea l agus<br />
uasa l, idir shean agus og, le onoir do<br />
thabhairt don fhile marbh. Ba fan<br />
Bhantiarna Gregory cionn-tsiocair an<br />
cru innithe. Fuair sf amach go dfreach an<br />
ait a cu ireadh e, agus ansin do thog si<br />
cloch ard alainn os cionn na hu aighe,<br />
agus ainm an fhile i nGaeil ge i litreacha<br />
air. Is f do ch uimhnigh ar dte,s ar a<br />
dheanamh, agus is uirthi a thit an costas,<br />
no an ch uid ba mho de. Lead h urnaithe<br />
na hEag laise os comhar an tslua, agus<br />
do rinneadh oraidf i nG ae il ge ag moladh<br />
an Reachtabhraigh.'<br />
File agus Tfrghrath6ir<br />
Taimid-ne, Gaeil na hEireann, mortasach<br />
i gconaf as Antoine 6 Reachtabhra, file<br />
agus tirghrathoir. Ta imid broduil as na<br />
danta a chum se faoi chursaf chearta<br />
agus sao irse na hEireann. Is iomaf duine<br />
a thug taitneamh do na ham hrain aille<br />
gra (leitheidi 'Maire Nf Eidhin' agus<br />
'Bridfn Bheasaigh) a chum se.<br />
Bfmis buioch fre isin don mbeirt<br />
Phrotastunach Ghaelac h ud, an<br />
Crao ibh fn Aoibhinn agus an Bh antiarn a<br />
Gregorya rinne rud fiuntach chun a<br />
ainm agus a shaothar a ardLi agus a<br />
chur chun cinn.<br />
Dala an scea l, ta Aine agus Ca itrfona,<br />
beirt gharinfon na Bantiarn a Gregory,<br />
beD briomhar i gconaf, bail a Dhia<br />
orthu . I Sasana a mhaireann Aine ac h<br />
ta conai ar Chaitriona Uf Chinneide<br />
(nee G.regory) in aice le Chill Bheithne i<br />
gCo. Luimnigh le blianta fada.<br />
50 __________________________________________________ __
Historical and Patriotic Ballads<br />
Che Ballad Lore of Wexford - Part 2<br />
Gear6id 6 Broin<br />
2<br />
he Historical and Patriotic<br />
Ballads recall in plaintive tones<br />
or fiery notes the struggles lost<br />
and won by our forebears. They<br />
certainly helped to weld together the<br />
downtrodden and the dispossessed,<br />
inspiring them 'To unite and be united'.<br />
They were, in fact, a subtle form of<br />
propaganda by aptly giving utterance to<br />
their inherent convictions and national<br />
aspirations - influencing, ultimately, the<br />
course of Iri sh history thereby. The<br />
emotional power of the words are often<br />
enhanced by the magic of the melodies<br />
accompanying them.<br />
What historians describe as 'Wexford's<br />
blackest day' is fittingly commemorated<br />
in a melancholy ballad entitled 'THE<br />
WEXFORD MASSACRE', written by M.J.<br />
Barry. It recalls the ghou lish deeds of<br />
the notorious Cromwell, who, arriving<br />
at the town gates on October 3, 1649,<br />
demanded the unconditional surrender<br />
of the Commander, Co l. David Sinnott.<br />
He firmly refused to do so. But after<br />
sinister days of 'parlying' and bribing,<br />
Col. Stafford, defender of the castle,<br />
traitorously threw open the gates. Then,<br />
turning his murderous heavy guns on<br />
the helpless town folk, a barbarous<br />
massacre ensued.<br />
Three hundred defenceless women and<br />
children, kneeling around the hallowed<br />
High Cross in the Bullring, were<br />
ruthlessly slaughtered as Cromwell<br />
proclaimed that he was merely carrying<br />
out 'The Word of the Lord' . With i n a<br />
few days 1,800 of the towns garri son 'of<br />
2,000' had also been 'done to death'.<br />
But no era in local history fired the<br />
imag ination of ba ll admen more than the<br />
short-lived REBELLION of 1798. It<br />
prompted a 'Springtide' of ballad-writing.<br />
So popular were they that no Collection<br />
of Irish Ballads would be deemed 'trul y<br />
representative' without the inclusion of<br />
the popular Wexford Songs.<br />
The Rebellion flared-up on Whit<br />
Monday, May 23rd, as a result of the<br />
provocative burning of Boolavogue<br />
church, whereupon the local priest, Fr<br />
John Murphy, advised his parishioners:<br />
'Twould be far better for you to die<br />
courageously on the field of battle, than<br />
be butchered helplessly in your own<br />
homes'. Hundreds instantly rallied to the<br />
call, and although ill-equipped,<br />
untrained for battle, and poorly<br />
organised, their breathless 'trai l of early<br />
successes and victories' revealed that<br />
many of the insurgents were 'born<br />
fighters' . Alas, the peace-loving farming<br />
folk of Co. Wexford had to endure<br />
appalling atrocities and barbaric tortures<br />
in the meantime - bayoneting, pitchcapping,<br />
half-hanging, and homewrecking.<br />
The Triangle and the Gibbet<br />
were hastily erected in every Barony. The<br />
final Episode was the crushing defeat of<br />
the poorly-armed Pikemen in the Battle<br />
of Vinegar Hill on June 21, and the<br />
revengeful, indiscriminate hanging of<br />
some 70 insurgents on Wexford Bridge.<br />
Of the great outflow of 1 798 Ballads still<br />
published in modern Anthologies, the<br />
most favoured include: Boolavogue;<br />
Kelly from Killane; The Boys of Wexford;<br />
At Monaseed in Sweet Co. Wexford;<br />
Variants of The Croppy Boy and The<br />
Three Bullet Gate; Ballyshannon Lane;<br />
Bagenal Harvey's Farewell; The Wexford<br />
Insurgent; The Men of '98; Colclough's<br />
Farewell; The Battle of Vinegar Hill; The<br />
Wexford Pikemen; The Priests of '98;<br />
and The Heroine of Ross. Few ballads<br />
better express the fighting sp irit of<br />
Wexford folk more than 'The Boys of<br />
Wexford' - off times referred to as 'The<br />
Wexfordmen's National Anthem' !<br />
Indeed, discerning ba ll adists would not<br />
deem any Collection of Irish Ballads<br />
'completely representative' without the<br />
inclusion of that spirited martial song. It
6 Bheal go Beal<br />
Barra 6 Donnabh6in<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> members and readers of Treoir will be pleased to learn that Timire Cheoil<br />
Seamus MacMathuna - pictured here with his daughter (de, a champion concertina<br />
player - is making a speedy recovery from his recent illness.<br />
Seamas, who was overwhelmed by the many messages of goodwill which<br />
he received, wishes to convey heartfelt thanks to all concerned.<br />
cS<br />
a bhliain d'aois an Tiarna 1908<br />
thairg an tOireachtas duais ar an<br />
insint ab fhearr a chuirff chuchu<br />
den sceal Toraiocht Dhiarmada agus<br />
Ghrainne - fe mar a thainig se anuas ar<br />
bheal na ndaoine. Bean Mheirceanach a<br />
bhi taobh thiar den chomortas seo agus<br />
dob I a loch as. Gertrude Schoepperle<br />
ab ainm di. Chuir go leor daoine isteach<br />
ar an gcomortas seo, ach fear darbh<br />
ainm Amhlaoibh 6 LUlnse a bhuaigh ar<br />
deireadh e.<br />
Leirfonn an scea l sin an t6ir a bhfodh<br />
ar na sean scea lta ag na sco lairf agus<br />
an borrad h agus fas a bhl fao i oba ir na<br />
Gaeil ge i dtUs na haoise seo. Is ar<br />
larthar Chorcal a bhl tarraingt na<br />
cathrach (Corca igh) ag an am. Peadar<br />
6 Lao ire is m6 ba chuis le sin. Deir<br />
Donncha 6 Cr6infn narbh ao n radharc<br />
nea mh-choitianta, sa tsaol san, scata f<br />
de lucht rothalochta a fheiscint ag triall<br />
in aghaidh an aird siar, ar th6ir gaoithe<br />
agus Gaeil ge in iarthar an chontae. Ina<br />
measc bhlodh an tAimhirgfn eac h,<br />
Tom as 6 Rathi rJ e, Gear6id 6 Murchu<br />
agus D6nal 6 Corcora . Ar Cuil Aodha<br />
ba mhinicf a gheofa iad i n-aga llamh le<br />
Amhlao ibh, n6 le D6nal Ban 6<br />
Ceileac hair n6 a leitheidf eil e.<br />
Ar Cu il Aodha, i bpar6iste Bh ail e<br />
Mhuinle, a ru gadh Amh laoibh (1872-<br />
1947). I bhfforthosach na haoise bhuaigh<br />
se craobh an O ireachtais ar scea lafocht,<br />
dha bhliain as a cheile. Bhf a ainm in<br />
airde ar fud an domhain Ghaelaigh, ar<br />
fead h leath-chead blian, mar sheanachaf<br />
agus mar eigeas. Th6g Sean 6 Cr6infn,<br />
ar dheis De go raibh se, breis is 1600<br />
leathanach lamhscrfbhinne sfos 6<br />
bhea laithris Amhlaoibh i 1943-44. Ta<br />
idir scea lta, seanachas, amhrain, ranna<br />
agus tearm afocht sa chnusacht sin. Ag<br />
sea sfos sceilfn amhain as an n-dfolaim.<br />
'Rainig go raibh straca ire fir gan puinn<br />
airgid i gCobh Chorcaf uair amhain .<br />
D'oir d6 dui go M eiricea, ac h b'shin f<br />
an mhac hail , nf raibh ao n airgead aige<br />
agus cad a bhf aige le deanamh ?<br />
D'ealaigh se isteach ar chuma eigint ar<br />
an loing. Is d6cha go raibh cuid eigint<br />
ac u ag deanamh scath dh6, ach nforbh<br />
aon chabhai r e mar chonaic an<br />
ca ptaein e agus b'eigin d6 imeacht.<br />
Ach sar ar imigh an long dhein se se ift<br />
eigin ar eal6 isteac h arfs. Th6g se se ilbh<br />
i bpoll eigin inti, agus greim bfdh ag<br />
duine eigint a bhai li C, chuige i ngan<br />
fhios, chun go rabhadar dultha in aice<br />
an chuain i Meiricea.'<br />
'Fail I eigint da bhfuair se ar ea lu amach<br />
as an gcuinne go raibh se i ngan fhios,<br />
anairde leis, agus chaith e fein amach<br />
sa bhfarraige. Thosnaigh ar snamh ac h<br />
ba ghairid a bhf se aniuigh nuair a<br />
conaiceas e. Liuigh an captaei n go<br />
gcaithff an fear a shaora. Fuarath as<br />
greim air ac h nforbh aon chabhair ed'eitigh<br />
se dui isteac h ar an loing.<br />
Dhein an captaein tathaint air.<br />
'Nf raghad,' ar se. 'Nach m6r an t-athru<br />
atha taga ithe ort 6 chuirfs amach me i<br />
gC6bh Chorcaf? 'H im i ndiaidh na<br />
loinge i gcaitheamh na haimsi re 6 shin,<br />
agus nuair go bhfui lim tagaithe go dtf<br />
so nf hao n mh oill dom an chuid eile<br />
den ts lf a shnamh!'<br />
'Ach dhein m6ran tathaint air agus<br />
gheall m6ran ai rgid a thabhairt d6 ach<br />
teacht isteach . Thai ni g, agus cu ireadh<br />
air cul aithe mhaith eadaigh.'<br />
'B'e an chead rud a dhein an captaein<br />
na f6gra chuir ar na paipeir go raibh<br />
aige an snamhaf ab fhearr sa domhan,<br />
is go gcuirfead h mile punt gill ar a<br />
shon. Nforbh fhada gur thainig snamhaf<br />
maith agus chuir geall go snam hfad h se<br />
fein leis.'<br />
'Nuair a thainig an la chun an<br />
chom6rtais bhf na slu aite a' ba iliu fe<br />
dhein na farraige san ait go raibh an<br />
snamh le dea namh . Bhf an tEirea nn ach<br />
ag cur de fe dhein an chuain agus an<br />
snamhaf eil e in aonacht leis. Chonaic se<br />
ar a' slf dh6 sea na-bhloc iarainn, agus<br />
thosna igh ar umpai l roimis amach.'<br />
'Ca raghair le sin,' arsa an snamhaf eil e.<br />
'Bearfaim fd linn go hEirinn e.' 'Gab ha<br />
isea m'ath air, agus nfl aon bhluire den<br />
inneoin aige ach c10ch mh6r.' 'Nf<br />
mhoth6imfd e a bhreith linn ead rainn<br />
sa tsnamh.' 'A Dhi a, bfodh an diabhal<br />
agat! ' arsan fear eil e, n6 ce fh eadfadh<br />
snamh go hEirinn ?'<br />
'Nil ach cu pl a la,' arsan tEirean nach, '6<br />
thanag-sa anso. 'Chuir an ca ptaein<br />
amach as an loing me i gCorcaigh.'<br />
'S namhas i ndiaidh na loinge agus bhfos<br />
ansa chomh luath leis! ' 'Nrlim-se ch un<br />
snamh leat,' ar seisean, 'nf fheadfainn<br />
dui leath na slf leat. Ta mo ghea ll ca illte<br />
agam, agus bfodh se agat-sa n6 ag pe<br />
fear a chuir ar do shon el'<br />
26 ____________________________________________ __
Thiobraid Arann ; 3rd John<br />
Mulall y, St. Louis Irish Arts cct<br />
USA.<br />
PORTAIREACHT: Fe 12: 1 st Mairead<br />
Ni Chea llachain , Teampaill a<br />
Gh leanntain CcE, Co. Luimni;<br />
2nd G ili Ni Ghaibhin, Caisleain<br />
a Bharraig cct Co. Mhaigh Eo;<br />
3rd Sarah Finnigan, Li verpool<br />
CcE, England; 12/15: 1 st Piaras<br />
Mac Eochagain, Tarbert CCI', Co.<br />
Chiarrai; 2nd Grainne<br />
Ni Chea llachain , Teampaill a<br />
Gh leanntain CCI', Co. Luimni;<br />
3rd Kate Burke, Li verpool CCE,<br />
England; 15/18: 1 st Theresa<br />
Coleman, Leicester CCI',<br />
England; 2nd Bemadette Coli ins,<br />
Seipeal na Carraige CCE, CO.<br />
Chorcai; 3rd Claire Doherty, Cr.<br />
Bell aghy CC 1', Co. Doire; Snr: 1 st<br />
Donna Mulca hy, Seipea l na<br />
Carraige CCE, CO. Chorcai; 2nd<br />
O liver Kearney, Edenderry CCI'<br />
Co. Kildare; 3rd Raymond<br />
Dineen, Redcross, Co. Wicklow.<br />
AMHAAN NUA CEAPTHA; AON AOls: 1 st<br />
Fionnan Mac Neidhe, Piercetown<br />
CCE, CO. Wexford; 2nd Liam<br />
6 Donnacha, Uaran M6r CCE, CO.<br />
na Gai llimhe; 3rd Tomas Mac<br />
Aodh Bhui, Ci ll Ceannaigh.<br />
COMORTAS 38 NEWLY COMPOSED<br />
BALLADS; ANY ACE: 1 st R6i sin Bn<br />
Ui Cheall aigh, Cr. an<br />
Choisdealbha CCE, CO. M haigh<br />
Eo; 2nd Joe O'Toole, Cr.<br />
Ballymacnab CCE, CO. Ard<br />
Mhacha; 3rd Fionnuala O'Reilly,<br />
Drumsna CCI', Co. Liatrama;<br />
COMHAA GAEILCE: Fe 9: 1 st Eoghan<br />
Mac Su ibhne, cr. Min na Croise<br />
CCE, Dun na nGall ; 2nd Noride<br />
Ni M hui mhneachain, Lai chtin<br />
Naofa CCE, Co. Chorcai; 3rd<br />
Deirbhle Ni Chonchille, Cr. Min<br />
na Cra ise CCE, CO . Dun na<br />
nGa ll ; 9/11: 1st Ferclia 6<br />
Mongain, Cr. Chriost6ir<br />
Ui Chearnaigh CCE, CO. M haigh<br />
Eo; 2nd Sineacl Breathnach, Cr.<br />
Min na Craise, Dun na nGall; 3rd<br />
Deirdre Breath nach, Cr. Min na<br />
Craise CcE, Co. Dun na nGall ;<br />
11/13; 1st Eibhlin Ni Aodha, Cr.<br />
Ch loich Ceann Fhao la CCE, Co.<br />
Dun na nGall ; 2nd Emma Nic<br />
Ghiolla-Phadraig, Cr. Caislean a'<br />
Bharraigh CCE, CO. M haigh Eo;<br />
3rd Neasa Ni Ch iarain, Bre, Co.<br />
Cill Mhanta in ; 13/15: 1st<br />
M ichael 6 Gall achobhair, Cr.<br />
Newcastle CCE, CO. an Dun; 2nd<br />
Una Ni Mhonachan, Cr. Loch<br />
Lao, Co. Aontrama; 3rd Beibhinn<br />
Ni M hongain, Cr. Chriost6ir Ui<br />
Chearnaigh CCI', Co. M haigh Eo;<br />
15/18; 1 st Clioclhna Dunne, Cr.<br />
Leitir Ceanainn CCE, Dun na<br />
nGall ; 2nd Aistrid Ni Mhonga in,<br />
Cr. Chriost6ir Ui Chearn aigh<br />
CCE, CO. Mhaigh Eo; 3rd Ros<br />
M ac Th6im, Port na Brinne<br />
Mainne, Doire.<br />
RINCi SEll: 1 st<br />
Ballydonoghue<br />
Ch iarrai; 3rd<br />
t S16n, a Mhlchll Dhllis<br />
r:h<br />
he death of Micheal 6 Lochlainn,<br />
Trustee of Co mh altas Ceolt6irf<br />
Eireann, has left an unfillable void<br />
in the worl dwide cultural movement. In<br />
a graveside oration, the Ardstiurth6ir,<br />
Labh ras 6 Murchu, spoke of Micheal's<br />
lifetime of unstinted service in the<br />
cause of native cu lture. 'He was loya l,<br />
dedica ted and effective. He was a true<br />
friend; a man of unshakeable bel iefs;<br />
and a scholar of note.'<br />
A member of the Gard a Sfochana for<br />
many yea rs and later an employee of<br />
Allied Irish Finance, Micheal was<br />
introduced to Irish music and things<br />
traditional through his teacher in<br />
Carron, Paddy Flanagan, later to be<br />
reinforced at Ennistymon CBS w ith<br />
Michael Mulqueeney.<br />
On leaving school he joined the Garda<br />
Siochana and was stationed in Dublin<br />
for five years. The opportunity didn't<br />
present itse lf to indulge in his great love<br />
of Irish music though he was quite an<br />
exponent of the fiddle which he learn ed<br />
from Michey Hoga n in Enni stymon.<br />
St. Johns; 2nd<br />
/ Lisselton, Co.<br />
1049 Eng l ish<br />
Under-I 2 concert flute champion<br />
Michael King of Tournafola/<br />
Cill {de CCE, receiving the Peg<br />
McGrath Needham cup fro m<br />
joe Needham.<br />
It was w hen transferred to Gortnahoe<br />
(Tipperary) on the Kilkenny border, that<br />
Micheal was to find ready outlet for his<br />
love of music. The Sergeant there,<br />
Michael Dempsey from Offaly, was also<br />
a fiddle exponent and coin cidentally<br />
another Garda there, Thomas Looney,<br />
w ho hail ed from Frey, Miltown Malbay,<br />
was also keenly interested. In an ear ly<br />
conve rsation with Thomas, it transpired<br />
that he had played the concertin a at the<br />
wedding of Michael's parents.<br />
Musical Background<br />
There were a number of very talented<br />
musicians in the Gortnahoe area and<br />
many an hour was spent in gen ial<br />
company, playing and exchanging tunes.<br />
There too, Michael met his future w ife<br />
Kitty Lannigan. He was transferred to<br />
Crookstown in Cork and when<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> was founded in 195 1, he was<br />
there to bring the 'message' to Cork,<br />
when transferred in to the city. In Cork,<br />
he worked on chrime investigation<br />
Senior fiddle champion Ursula<br />
8yrne of Co. Down, receiving the<br />
Coleman cup from the illustrious<br />
Clare fiddle player Paddy Cann.<br />
Paddy was himself the first ever<br />
winner of this tropy.<br />
Martyrs; 15/18: 1 st<br />
Carrickcruppen; 2nd St.<br />
M ichaels; 3rd Galbally; Snr: All<br />
Ladies: 1 st West Clare Ladies;<br />
2nd Elphin, Co. Roscommon; 3rd<br />
Ga lba ll y; Snr: All Mixed: 1 st<br />
Elphin, Co. Roscommon; 2nd<br />
Tull a, Co. Clare; 3rd Gleneagle,<br />
Co. Kerry.<br />
M icheal 6 Lochlainn<br />
mostly but also found time to spread the<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> news, being instrumental in<br />
the founding of the first branch in the<br />
city, of w hi ch he became Chairman. He<br />
was soon to graduate to Cha irmanship<br />
of the Cork Cou nty Board, a position he<br />
held fo r twenty-one yea rs .<br />
At the time of his unanimous election<br />
as National President, Micheal was also<br />
Chairman of the Munster Council, so<br />
that he has had the distinction of be ing<br />
Branch, County Board, Provincial and<br />
National leader - all at the same time.<br />
A tireless worker for <strong>Comhaltas</strong> and a<br />
great believer in the promotion of Iri sh<br />
music and indeed everything Irish.<br />
20 ________________________________________________ ___
Ath Luain ccI'., co. Roscomai n;<br />
2nd Paul Moran, Corofin CCE,<br />
CO. na Ga illimhe; 3rd John<br />
Gavin, St Ceci li as ccI'., Co. an<br />
Chlair.<br />
BANJo: Fe 12: 1 st Stephen Madden,<br />
Doora-Barefield CC 1'., Co. an<br />
Chlair; 2nd Daire McGeown, Cr<br />
Clanbrassil CCE, Ard Mhacha;<br />
3rd Matthew Griffen, St Albans<br />
cd, England; 12/15: 1 st Cliona<br />
Ni Choisdealbha, Roscrea cd,<br />
co. Thiobraid Arann ; 2nd Piaras<br />
Mac Eochagain, Tarbert ccI'., Co.<br />
Chiarrai; 3rd Haley Farrell, St<br />
Albans CCE, England; 15/18: 1 st<br />
Sean Mac Fhinn, Ma Rua / An<br />
Cheapach Mh6r CCE, CO.<br />
Luimni; 2nd Orl a Corcoran,<br />
Castletown Geoghegan CCE, CO.<br />
Westmeath ccI'.; 3rd Eamonn<br />
Loughran, Cr. Baile Mhic an Aba<br />
CCE, Co. Ard Mhaca; Snr: 1 st<br />
Brian MacGearailt, Naomh<br />
Mhichil ccI'., Co. Luimni; 2nd<br />
Brian Kelly, North London ccI'.,<br />
England; 3rd Enda Scahi ll,<br />
Corofin ccI'., Co. na Gaillimhe.<br />
Mandolin: Fe 12: 1 st Eugene<br />
Hackett, Cr Galbally, Tfr Eoghain;<br />
2nd Daire McGeown, Cr<br />
Clanbrassil, Ard Mhacha; 3rd<br />
Ronan 6 Domhnallain, Gord na<br />
mB6 CCE, cO. Mhuigheo; 12/15;<br />
1 st Col in McDonagh, Corofin<br />
ccI'., Co. na Ga illimhe; 2nd<br />
Christop her O'Connor, Nth .<br />
London CCE; 3rd Ciaran Fletcher,<br />
Cr. St. Mochuas, Ard M hacha;<br />
15/18: 1 st Eamon Loughran, Cr<br />
Ballymacnab, Ard Mhacha; 2nd<br />
Eilish Brennan, Cr Corcaghan,<br />
M uineachan; 3rd Deirdre<br />
Dillane, Tarbert cd, co.<br />
Chiarrai; Snr: 1 st Brian Kell y,<br />
North London CCE; 2nd Colm<br />
6 hUaithnin, Cathair Dun<br />
lasca igh ccI'., Co. Thiobraid<br />
Arann ; 3rd Geraldine Lyons,<br />
O'Caro lan ccI'., Manchester.<br />
PIANO: Fe 12: 1 st Eoin Hernon,<br />
Coleman Trad. Soc. ccI'., Sligo;<br />
2nd Karen Wa lsh, Craobh<br />
Cabhain ccI'., An Cabhain; 3rd<br />
Aisling Bu rke, Ferns ccI'.,<br />
Wexford; 12/15: 1st Haze l<br />
Bholsteir, Cr Cronai n ccI'., Co.<br />
Chorcai; 2nd Adele Farrell,<br />
O'Carolan ccI'., Manchester; 3rd<br />
Triona Liddy, Abbey ccI'., Co. an<br />
Chlair; 15/18: 1 st Sinead Doyle,<br />
Enniscorthy CCI'., Wexford ; 2nd<br />
Paul Ryan, Roscrea ccI'., Co.<br />
Thiobraid Ara nn ; 3rd Sinead<br />
Ward, Drumsna ccI'., Co.<br />
Li atroma; Snr: 1 st Ca itriona<br />
Cu llivan, An Cabhan; 2nd<br />
M ichelle O'Leary, St Wilfrid 's<br />
ccI'., Manchester; 3rd Charles<br />
O'Connor, Ath Luain cd, co.<br />
Roscomain.<br />
MELODEON: Fe 12: 1st Sear6n Nic<br />
Atnhlaidh , Gord na mB6 ccI'.,<br />
Co. Mha igh Eo; 2nd Caoimhin<br />
6 Loinsigh, Gill Bheolain cd,<br />
co. Chorcai; 3rd Ruairi Tower, Cr.<br />
is<br />
Baile Mhic an Aba ccI'., co. Ard<br />
M haca; 12/1 5: 1st Michelle<br />
Ni Mhaolcathaigh, Teampail l a<br />
Ghleannta in ccI'., Co. Luimni;<br />
2nd Cli ve Earley, Doora-Barefield<br />
cd, co. an Chlair; 3rd Belinda<br />
Long, Bannow ccI'., Co.<br />
Wexford; 15/18: 1 st Damien<br />
Connoll y, Abbey ccI'., Co. an<br />
Ch lair; 2nd Jona th an Roche,<br />
Castle island ccI'., Co. Ch iarrai;<br />
3rd Kate Marquis Cr.<br />
Aughn amu llen cct Co.<br />
Muineachain; Snr: 1 st Peadar<br />
Mac Ei l, Cathair na Mart ccI'., Co.<br />
Mhaigh Eo; 2nd Oliver Diviney,<br />
Uaran M6r ccI'., Co. na<br />
Gaillimhe; 3rd Deirdre Jordan,<br />
Mount Leinster CCE, CO.<br />
Wexford.<br />
BODHRAN: Fe 12: 1 st P61 6<br />
Domhnallain, Gord na mB6 ccI'.,<br />
co. Maigh Eo; 2nd Adam<br />
Geoghegan, Cr. Aughnamullen<br />
ccI'., Co. Muineachain ; 3rd<br />
Dam ien O'Reil y, Cr Corofin ccI'.<br />
Co. an Chl air; 12/15: 1 st Kevin<br />
Geraghty, Tara cd, Manchester;<br />
2nd Peter O'Kane, Cr. Errigal<br />
ccI'., Co. Doire; 3rd Ferga l<br />
Scahill, Cr. Cora Finne ccI'., Co.<br />
na Gail limhe; 15/18: 1st Brian<br />
GaNin, Clontarf CC£'., Baile Atha<br />
Cliath; 2nd Richard Herity, South<br />
Luton cd, England; 3rd Risteard<br />
6 Loin, Cr. Muinchile ccI'., Co.<br />
an Cabhain ; Snr: 1 st Junior<br />
Davey, South Sligo ccI'. Sl igo;<br />
2nd Peter O'Brien, West London<br />
cd, England; 3rd Aidan Flood,<br />
Edwardstown ccI'., Co. Longford;<br />
PioB MHOR: Fe 12: 1 st David<br />
Markey, Scotshouse, Clones, Co.<br />
Monaghan; 12/15: 1 st Gareth<br />
O'Neill, Coalisland Co. Tyrone;<br />
2nd Brendan 6 Maolfhabhail,<br />
Scoil Acla, co. Mhaigh Eo; 3rd<br />
Orla Colleton, Allenwood ccI'.,<br />
Co. Ki Id are; 15/18: 1 st John<br />
Canavan, Coal island ccI'., Co.<br />
Tyrone; 2nd lan Hamilton, Mid<br />
West ccI'., USA; 3rd Ciot 6<br />
Maill e, Scoi l Acl a, co. Mhaigh<br />
Eo; Snr: 1 st Domhnall<br />
6 hU all achain, Ba ll ybuni on<br />
cd, co. Chiarrai; 2nd Oliver<br />
O'Neill, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone;<br />
3rd Colin Meaghar, Martin<br />
Mulvihill CCE, USA.<br />
ROGHA GHlEAS: Fe 12: 1 st Arjuna<br />
Balaranjan, Takoma Park, MD.<br />
USA; 2nd Oisin 6 Lochlainn, Cr.<br />
Corcaghan ccI'. co.<br />
Muineachain; 3rd Kieran Mallet,<br />
Peterborough ccI'., England ;<br />
12/15: 1st Brian Mooney,<br />
Ballydonoghue / Li sselton ccI'.,<br />
Co. Chiarrai; 2nd Fergal Scahi ll ,<br />
Corofi n ccI'., Co. na Gai llimhe;<br />
3rd Laura Ryan, Roscrea ccI'.,<br />
Co. Thi obraid Arann; 15/18: 1 st<br />
Ao ife Ni Ghrianbhil, Cr. an<br />
Aghasaigh, ccI'., Co. Chiarrai;<br />
2nd Kate Marquis, Cr.<br />
Aughnamullen ccI'., Co.<br />
Muineachain; 3rd Brendan Rae,<br />
Under-i8 concertina champion Padraig Rynne (right) with friends.<br />
Dungannon, Co. Thir Eoghain;<br />
Snr: 1 st Trudy O'Donnell, Cr<br />
Leitir Ceanainn CC£'., Co. Dun na<br />
nGall; 2nd Cliff Moses, Cr. Francis<br />
O'Neill, cd, USA; 3rd Caitriona<br />
Ni Chlochasaigh, Castl econnell /<br />
Ahane / Herbertstown CCE, CO.<br />
Luimnf.<br />
DRUMAi: Fe 12: 1 st Stepth en<br />
O'Leary, North London ccI'.<br />
England; 2nd Ciaran Maher, Sean<br />
Treacy CC£'., Baile Atha Cliath ; 3rd<br />
Lisa Kane, North London ccI'.<br />
England ; 12/15: 1 st Barry<br />
Geoghegan, Cr Aughnamu llen<br />
ccI'. Co. Muineachain; 2nd<br />
Ri chard Murray, Oranmore ccI'.,<br />
Co. na Gaillimhe; 3rd M ichael<br />
O'Connell, Doora-Barefield cd<br />
co. an Chlair; 15/18: 1 st Kevin<br />
O'Neill, Irish M instrels cd<br />
Glasgow; 2nd Joseph McGinn,<br />
Aughnamullen ccI'., Co .<br />
Muineachain; 3rd Richard Herity,<br />
South Luton cd, England; Snr:<br />
1 st Brian Walsh, Cr.<br />
Carrickmacross CCE, CO.<br />
Muineachain; 2nd Daragh Kelly,<br />
Fred Finn CC£'., Co. Sligo; 3rd<br />
Brian 6 Muirgheasa, Ballinahinch<br />
ccI'., co. Thiobraid Arann.<br />
TIONLACAN: Fe 12:1 st Karen Walsh,<br />
Cr an Cabhain ccI'., Co. Cabhain ;<br />
2nd Maebh de Buitleir, Cloch liath<br />
CCE, CO. an Ch lair; 3rd Nicola<br />
Hayes, Bannow CCE, CO.<br />
Wexford ; 12/1 5: 1 st Michelle<br />
Ni Mhaolchathaigh, Teampaill a<br />
Ghleannta in CCE, Co. Luimni;<br />
2nd Fergal Scahill, Cr Corofin<br />
ccI'., Co. na Gail limhe; 3rd<br />
Melanie Thompson, Cr. Roscrea<br />
cd, co. Thiobraid Arann; 15/18:<br />
1 st fde Ni Chuinneagain,<br />
Headford ccI'. Co. Galway; 2nd<br />
Kate Marquis, Aughnamullen cd<br />
co. Monaghan; 3rd Conal Early,<br />
Clontarf ccI'. Baile Atha Cliath;<br />
Snr: 1 st Kevin Brehony, Ballymote<br />
CCE, CO. Sligo; 2nd Brendan<br />
Ward, Cr. Aughnamul len ccI'.,<br />
Co. Muineachain; 3rd Deirdre<br />
McSherry, Paddy O'Brien<br />
Ormond ccI'., Co . Thiobraid<br />
Arann.<br />
VEIDHLlN FOINN MAlLA: Fe 12: 1 st<br />
Naoimi Dunleavy, Cumann na<br />
Piobairi Uilleann CCE, Baile Atha<br />
Cliath ; 2nd Niamh Ni Dhuinn,<br />
Ma Rua / An Cheapach M h6r<br />
cd, co. Luimnigh; 3rd Sinead<br />
Linnan e, St. Albans CC 1'.,<br />
Eng land ; 12/15: 1 st Li am<br />
6 Conchubhair, Contarf cd, co.<br />
Baile Atha Cliath; 2nd Treasa<br />
Ni Shuilleabhain, Cr. Carna ccI'.,<br />
Co. na Gaillimhe; 3rd Marion<br />
Collins, Cr. Alha Caoire CC 1'., Co.<br />
Chorcai; 15/18: 1 st Zoe Conway,<br />
Dun Dealgan CCE, CO. Louth;<br />
2nd Erin McGeown, Cl anbrassil<br />
CCE, CO. Ard Mhacha; 3rd Ann<br />
Mullan, Cr. Portglenone, Co.<br />
Aon troma; Snr:1 st Breda Keville,<br />
Leeds ccI'., England; 2nd Nick<br />
Kinse lla, Pi ercetown cct<br />
Wexford; 3rd Sean Roarty,<br />
Mulligan Quinn cd, USA.<br />
PiOB UlllEANN FOINN MAlLA: Fe 12 :<br />
1 st Sean McKeon, Cr Sean Treacy<br />
CCE, CO. Baile Ath a Cliath ; 2nd<br />
Claire Crowley, Roundwood<br />
cd, co. Wicklow; 3rd Brendan<br />
Guckian, Drumsna CCE, CO.<br />
Aontroma; 12/15: 1 st Richard<br />
Murray, Oranmore CCE, CO. na<br />
Gail limhe; 2nd Conor McKeon,<br />
Sean Treacy CCE, CO. Baile Atha<br />
Cliath; 3rd Sinead Lennon, Cr.<br />
Port M6r cct Co. Ard Mhacha;<br />
15/18: 1 st Mikie Smyth, Sean<br />
Treacy ccI'., Baile Atha Cliath;<br />
2nd Daniel O'Sullivan, Donard<br />
ccI'., Co. Wicklow; 3rd Darragh<br />
Murphy, Cr. Newcastl e ccI'. Co.<br />
an Dun ; Snr: 1 st Florai Neff, Cr.<br />
Blarna, ccI'., Co. Chorcai; 2nd<br />
Paul McKeagney, Cr. Tempo CC 1'.,<br />
Fermanagh.<br />
FEADOG MHOR FOINN MAlLA: Fe 12:<br />
1 st Mairead Phelan, Cr Osrai<br />
ccI'., Co. Chill Cheannaigh ; 2nd<br />
Michael Mac an Ri, Tuar na Fola<br />
/ Cill fde cd, co. Luimnigh; 3rd<br />
Mairead Henn essy, Caiseal<br />
Mumhan cd, co. Thiobraid<br />
Arann; 12/15: 1st Mariah Reilly,<br />
Martin Mulvihill ccI'. New Jersey<br />
USA; 2nd Deirdre Harnedy,<br />
Beanntrai cd, co. Chorcai; 3rd<br />
Richard Murray, Oranmore CCE,<br />
CO. na Ga illimhe; 15/18: 1st<br />
Co lette Gabbney, Coleman'<br />
Trad itional Society cct Sligo;
Our New <strong>Comhaltas</strong> Senator<br />
2<br />
he <strong>Comhaltas</strong> nominee for<br />
Seanad Ei rean n Labhras 6<br />
Murchu, Ardstiurth6ir, had a<br />
convincing w in in the recent election.<br />
He was a candidate on the Cu ltura l and<br />
Educational Pane l. Labhras has<br />
received congratu lations from<br />
Comha ltas members worldwide and<br />
from a broad spectrum of community<br />
I ife in Ire land.<br />
In add ition to his ro le as Director<br />
General of Com haltas, he has also<br />
made an important contribution to<br />
other aspects of Irish li fe. He is<br />
National Chairman of Fonduireacht an<br />
Phiarsaigh and National Chai rm an of<br />
the Irish Fami ly History Foundation .<br />
Last year the newly elected Senator<br />
rece ived the prestigious Dublin Civic<br />
Honour Award. Previous recipients<br />
included Ronnie Delaney, Gay Byrne,<br />
Jack Charlton, Neil Jordon, Frank Fee ly<br />
and Lady Va lerie Goulding.<br />
The Tipperary born Senator was<br />
particu larly pleased at having also<br />
received the Tipperary Person of the<br />
Year award. He has a particu lar in terest<br />
in the w ritings of the Tipperary patriotwriter<br />
Cha rl es J. Kickham, author of<br />
'Knocknagow' .<br />
Last year Labhras was honoured, with<br />
his wife Una, on the RTE LIFELINES<br />
programme. He has been a guest<br />
speaker at functions in North America,<br />
Britain, Japan, South and North Korea,<br />
Abu Dhabi, Spa in and Germ any.<br />
Senator 6 Murchu has been warml y<br />
congratu lated by the Standing<br />
Committee and Ardchomhairle of<br />
Comha ltas.<br />
Buiochos<br />
On the Senate Trail:<br />
Senator Labhras 6<br />
Murchu, Ardstiurth6ir<br />
of CCE, pictured with<br />
Nellie Fisher, Ulster<br />
Secretary of CCE,<br />
outside the Boyne<br />
Valley Cottage, as<br />
they canvassed for<br />
Senate votes.<br />
Is m6r an on6ir dam bheith tofa do<br />
Sheanad Eireann agus gabhaim<br />
bufochas libh as ucht bhur dtacafochta.<br />
It is an honour for me to have been<br />
elected to Seanad Eireann. The<br />
extensive support and good wishes<br />
have been a great encouragement and<br />
are very much appreciated.<br />
Co raibh mfle maith agaibh - my<br />
sincere thanks.<br />
Cach Beannacht<br />
Labhras 6 MurchU<br />
Trying his hand at butter making in Mayor<br />
Frank Godfrey's cottage, Donore, Co.<br />
Meath, is Labhras 6 MurchU during the<br />
Senate campa ign.<br />
Craditional<br />
Music Ceachers<br />
2 he fol lowing tab le shows the<br />
number of traditional music<br />
teachers, on a regional basis,<br />
qualified at the <strong>Comhaltas</strong> n CT Course:<br />
Connacht Munster<br />
Galway 17 Clare 31<br />
Leitrim 2 Cork 23<br />
Mayo 23 Kerry 7<br />
Roscommon 4 Limerick 23<br />
Sligo 12 Tipperary 21<br />
58 Waterford 4<br />
109<br />
Leinster Ulster<br />
Carlow 1 Antrim 12<br />
Dublin 51 Armagh 3<br />
Kil dare 5 Cavan .5<br />
Ki lkenny 2 Derry 6<br />
Lao is 3 Donegal 18<br />
Longford 3 Down 5<br />
Louth 6 Fermanagh 1<br />
Meath 6 Monaghan 17<br />
Offaly 8 Tyrone 3<br />
Westmeath 6 70<br />
Wexford 5<br />
Wicklow 2 Britain 17<br />
98 USA 4
Ballina Hosts the Fleadh<br />
Caoimhghin 6 Brolch6in<br />
B<br />
ong before we actually<br />
reached Ballina, the Fleadh was<br />
in full swing on the train - oh,<br />
the whole artillery was brought into<br />
play, bodhrans, feadag stain, fiddles,<br />
pipes and a coorse ... spoons rattling<br />
off seats, windows and elbows.<br />
Unfamiliar mountains - the Nephins,<br />
mar agus beag and the rest of the<br />
Nephin famil y marched alongside the<br />
tracks, though at a distance. This was<br />
Mayo, green and fertile - where 'in<br />
ainm De' did that old deprecating<br />
exclamation, 'Mayo, God help us! ' ever<br />
come from?<br />
A ni ce, ' live in' little town w ith a lovely<br />
sa lmon ri ve r, the Moy complete w ith<br />
fisherm en up to their nipples in the<br />
water, casting, casti ng in long elegant<br />
snakes of line, in fro nt of th e cathedral.<br />
I haul my weighty case off the luggage<br />
rack and out of the station w ith th e<br />
both of us ... not a bu s, not a tax i to be<br />
had fo r love or gold and a two mile<br />
trek out the Crossmolina road to the<br />
accommodation .. . a stretch of road I<br />
was to get to kn ow rather too well ...<br />
'Ta do chara i gCillala' (Your fri end is in<br />
Kill ala) th e old 1798 password<br />
spreading th e news th at the French had<br />
landed recurred to me. Wouldn't it be<br />
grand if he were to turn up w ith an oul '<br />
ass car just now! The case seems to be<br />
full of bri cks - 'Trom cea rc i bhfad'<br />
(Even a hen grows heavy if you ca rry it<br />
fa r).<br />
The atmosphere was rather slow in<br />
building up ... almost as if the town had<br />
to adjust itself to this un accustomed<br />
invasi on, but by the seco nd day things<br />
were 'hotting up' and th e crowds<br />
12<br />
building in the main<br />
streets. An excell ent,<br />
continuous seri es of<br />
perform ances on the<br />
gig- ri g, as good as<br />
any I've eve r hea rd,<br />
ensured a large<br />
crowd throughout<br />
th e th ree days,<br />
regardless of rain or<br />
shine - and we had<br />
both ! Where was the<br />
bould Sea mus<br />
M acM athuna?<br />
Somehow there was<br />
a tangible gap in<br />
things. We missed<br />
being urged to rattle<br />
the street w indows<br />
w ith '0 R6 'Se Do<br />
Sheath ' Abhaile!',<br />
never the less the<br />
music groups<br />
ente rtained us<br />
roya lly.<br />
There ca n be no<br />
doubt th at th e<br />
peopl e you meet at<br />
th e Fl eadh are an enorm ously<br />
enj oyable part of the total Fl eadh<br />
experi ence. A delightful Australian girl<br />
from Sydney told me she was here on a<br />
'one-way' ti cket. She meant to visit her<br />
peoples' pl ace in Cork, but so meone<br />
had given her a lift to the Fl ead h. She<br />
w as entranced w ith it all . 'W hy don't<br />
you stay here - get marri ed - become<br />
pres ident! (I happen to know th ere's a<br />
vaca ncy just now!)' ses I. 'I have to see<br />
Conn emara and Fermoy first before I<br />
make any dec isions', ses she.<br />
Na Fiiilteoirf<br />
Martin and Maureen Con nolly<br />
Donlon Family<br />
r:A<br />
he breakfast has been agreed<br />
fo r ten o' clock in th e morning.<br />
'The other guests aren't ea rl y<br />
ri sers', the 'bea n a' ti' tell s me. I ca n't<br />
believe it. .. a questi on of continu al<br />
adjustment. .. 'W hen in Rome' . Earl y<br />
next morning. I ca n't stay in bed, so out<br />
w ith me and up the b6ithrin for a bit of<br />
a stro ll . There I meet up w ith a grand<br />
little man from Monaghan 'Takes so me<br />
getting used to', he says. 'At home now,<br />
all the fields are up in front of you - the<br />
very same as if th ey were on a<br />
postcard ! - Very hilly,' I mention<br />
Patrick Kava nag h and his tale of the<br />
M onaghan crows goin g up and down<br />
the turnip drills, pulling them up to get<br />
at any worm s that might be amongst<br />
th e hair roots . O ne crow came on a<br />
well-grown seed ling th at he couldn't<br />
get up at all ... Kavanagh tells us<br />
in cred ulously, that another crow ca me<br />
up, grabbed his tail and the two of<br />
them heaved till th e root yielded. My<br />
new fri end tell s me of baling sil age and<br />
next mornin g, 'Segod, it seemed as if
picture I am sure everyone will<br />
remember fondly once they have seen<br />
its setting on the limestone plateau of<br />
The Burren!<br />
The last type of Neolithic tomb, thought<br />
to be utilised at the end of the Neolithic<br />
(ca 2200 to 1800 bc), is the wedge<br />
tomb. This tomb type appears more<br />
modest, of small construction and low<br />
to the ground. Nonetheless impressive<br />
examples of wedge tombs I have found<br />
in my travels include Parknabinnia, Co.<br />
Clare, and at Lough Cur, Co. Limerick.<br />
Also near Lough Cur, is The Lios, the<br />
largest stone circle in Ireland (stone<br />
circles are generally believed to be post<br />
Neolithic, or Bronze Age monuments).<br />
Everywhere I have travelled in Ireland, I<br />
have been impressed by the friendly<br />
accommodation of the Irish folk. I must<br />
thank the O 'Toole family in Dun<br />
Laoghaire for their recognition of my<br />
wife's Irish-roots and encouragement to<br />
follow-up on family contacts in Co.<br />
Donegal in 1983; I could not have been<br />
so energetic in following-up on my<br />
literature research of the ancient Irish<br />
culture without them! Please find a copy<br />
of some of the following references and<br />
review their bibliographies for an<br />
abundance of wonderful materials<br />
describing ancient Ireland.<br />
Boyne Valley<br />
Cottage<br />
2<br />
he Boyne Valley Cottage<br />
affectionately known as 'the wee<br />
half door of Donore,' is steeped in<br />
history. Just a stone's throw from the<br />
Jacobite campsite where King lames<br />
and William of Orange engaged in the<br />
Battle of the Boyne in 1690, the cottage<br />
is the gateway to Bru na B6inne.<br />
Located in the heart of the Boyne<br />
Valley, the cottage is in close proximity<br />
to the other great historical and<br />
archeological sites such as Newgrange,<br />
Knowth, Dowth, Monasterboice and<br />
Mellifont Abbey and no visit to the area<br />
is complete without popping in to the<br />
historic cottage itself.<br />
Proprietor Alderman Frank Codfrey, a<br />
member of Drogheda Corporation has<br />
s<br />
Brennan, j.H., 1994, A guide to<br />
megalithic Ireland. The Aquarian Press,<br />
202 p.<br />
Eogan, Ceorge, 1986, Knowth and the<br />
passage-tombs of Ireland. Thames and<br />
Hudson, 247 p.<br />
Herity, Michael, and Eogan, Ceorge<br />
1997, Ireland in prehistory. Routledge,<br />
302 p.<br />
!l;<br />
Mitchell, Frank, and Ryan, Michael,<br />
1997, Reading the Irish landscape. Town<br />
House and Country House, 392 p.<br />
O'Kelly, M .J., 1982, Newgrange:<br />
Archaeology, Art, and Legend. Thames<br />
and Hudson, 240 p.<br />
O ' Brien, Tim, 1992, Light Years Ago: A<br />
study of the cairns of Newgrange and<br />
Cairn T, Loughcrew, Co. Meath, Ireland.<br />
The Black Cat Press, 56 p.<br />
L\n L\ustralian Chank You<br />
Flat 2, Haigh Rd, Canning Vale, Perth, W.A. 6155<br />
wish to write to you to express<br />
our thanks, for the wonderful<br />
inaugural <strong>Comhaltas</strong> tour of<br />
Australia. An outstanding group of<br />
talented artists. They thrilled their<br />
audience here in Perth, as I'm sure they<br />
did right across Austral ia. We enjoyed<br />
their friendship and company, during<br />
their all too short a stay in Perth. We<br />
would love this to become an annual<br />
event.<br />
Our <strong>Comhaltas</strong> branch here in Perth is<br />
going along great, we are very fortunate<br />
to have dedicated people working with<br />
been opening 'the wee half door' to the<br />
public since 1983 and has spent the<br />
last few years restoring it to its full glory<br />
and creating a 17th century ambience.<br />
A must for all visitors of the area,<br />
Frank's cottage is fast becoming<br />
Drogheda's answer to Kate Kearney's<br />
cottage in Killarney and visitors are<br />
always welcomed with a cup of tea and<br />
home made scones. At the recent<br />
official opening of the cottage in june,<br />
us here. On the 7th June we had our<br />
own Fleadh here, it was a great<br />
success.<br />
Croups such as 'Echoes of Erin ' visiting<br />
Perth, have a very positive and uplifting<br />
effect on people learning Irish music<br />
and dance, and gives great meaning to<br />
what we are trying to do here -<br />
promoting our culture. So it is with<br />
these thoughts in mind, that I ask you<br />
to consider sending a tour group<br />
annually to Austral ia.<br />
5ean Doherty<br />
which was performed by Major<br />
Malachy Codfrey, brother of Frank,<br />
plans were outl ined for the provision of<br />
a museum, tea rooms and ceilf house<br />
to add to the atmosphere.<br />
Legend has it that en route to battle,<br />
King James often frequented the<br />
cottage, as did many of his soldiers and<br />
he was known to rest in the house on<br />
more than one occasion.
lrelond ou Quebec<br />
Che small town of Shannon is an emerald island in the sea<br />
of French Quebec. Yet nobody really knows why the<br />
community remains so intensely lrish.<br />
Mark Abley Che Gazette<br />
- A butter churn, a<br />
w hiskey jar, a pi cture of the<br />
c5hannon<br />
Sacred heart: some of the<br />
artefacts in the historical soc iety's office<br />
could come from anywhere in rural<br />
Quebec.<br />
But the fl ag hanging proudly on th e<br />
wa ll does n't have a trace of blue; it's<br />
the green, orange and white of Ireland.<br />
The 13-volume set of books on a she lf<br />
turns out to be a hi story of Irish<br />
literature. And when Pau line McCarthy<br />
- former councillor, former president of<br />
the Catholic Women's League, and stil l<br />
a force to be reckoned with in this little<br />
town - is asked her feelings about<br />
Ireland, she replies:<br />
'I th ink it's I ike heave n'.<br />
Meath Harp School<br />
Pupils of the Meath Harp School,<br />
Nobber, Co. Meath, receiving their<br />
Certificates from Mr. CM. O 'Neill,<br />
retired Production Director (Cypsum<br />
IndsJ. Left to Right: Helen Price, Seana<br />
Da vey, Niall Murphy, Tracey Corrigan,<br />
Niamh Brennan.<br />
Missing from Photo : Susanne Boles<br />
and Niamh Farrell<br />
Eddy Con wa y,<br />
87, is a<br />
former mayor of<br />
Shannon. 'We're<br />
alive and<br />
kicking,' he says<br />
of the town's<br />
Irish community.<br />
In w hich case, Shannon - a community<br />
of 1,850 not counting the res idents of<br />
the adjacent Valcartier military base -<br />
counts as an echo, an off-shoot, a<br />
lingering whiff of heaven. Only 20<br />
minutes by ca r north of Q uebec City,<br />
Sha nnon has ranked among Quebec's<br />
most strongly Irish communities ever<br />
sin ce it was founded in the 1820's.<br />
Irishness here predates the landfall made<br />
by the thousands of poor emigrants<br />
fl eeing the tragic famine of the 1840s.<br />
What's more, Irishness continues to<br />
thrive in Shannon at a time w hen many<br />
other Quebec tow ns have submerged<br />
their Celtic roots in the French-speaking<br />
mainstream.<br />
Onl y about a quarter of the town's<br />
people now identify themselves as 'Iri sh<br />
Ca nad ian'. But to this day, they exert a<br />
disproportionate influence on Shannon's<br />
dai ly li fe . The streets of this picturesque<br />
town, cu t in two by the jacq ues Cartier<br />
River, have names like Wexford, Grogan<br />
and St Patrick. Next month, a Ce ltic<br />
cross w ill be raised in front of St joseph's<br />
Chapel. The community centre can hold<br />
at least 400 people; w hen the annual<br />
Shannon Irish Show is put on in March,<br />
it's usually packed for both performances.<br />
Even the form of Engl ish used in<br />
Shannon draws on the town's Irish<br />
heritage. In stead of mentioning, as most<br />
anglophones wou ld, that a loca l man<br />
'has just moved,' the town's secretary,<br />
Elain Neville, says, 'He's just after<br />
moving.' Gaelic, unhappily, is extinct in<br />
the area - though at least one man<br />
remembers how to bless himself in the<br />
language.<br />
Why is the Irish identity so intense in<br />
Shannon ?<br />
'You' re asking a question that everybody<br />
asks and no one ca n answer,' says a<br />
ruddy-cheeked, 81-year old form er<br />
mayor named Eddy Conway.<br />
'We can't answer it, either. We were<br />
basically no different than Frampton or<br />
Malachy .... but we didn't integrate.'<br />
All around Quebec City, the Irish used to<br />
be plentiful. Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval,<br />
30km north-east of the capital, began life<br />
as Shan non did: an Iri sh settlement,<br />
dating back to the 1830s. Within a<br />
century, it had become almost<br />
excl usively French-Canadian.<br />
Donnacoria, located down-stream from<br />
Shannon w here the jacques Cartier Ri ver<br />
hurls itself into the St Lawrence, had lost<br />
most of its Irish by the early 1980s. It's<br />
the same story in such Beauce villages as<br />
Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage and (to use<br />
the French spelling) Saint-Malachie-de<br />
Dorchester.
j @.h.J@,i.ii.Mlii .. iiiM<br />
Were the Bagpipes ever<br />
Banned in Scotland?<br />
Michael Newton<br />
you haven't tired of<br />
annive rsa ri es - th ere seems to be<br />
case<br />
9nn<br />
many going on in Scotland at the<br />
moment - 1997 is the 250th anniversa ry<br />
of the Act for the Abolition and<br />
Prosc ription of th e Highland Dress. This<br />
was a milestone in th e process of the<br />
'pac ification of the Highl and s' and, to<br />
use less detached language, the ethnic<br />
cl ea nsing of a people.<br />
The Act was indeed much resented by<br />
the Highl anders to whom the pl aid was<br />
not on ly a natural and fun ctional part of<br />
their essential equipment in the rough<br />
terrain and weather of the Highl ands,<br />
but an em bl em of their identity as a<br />
distinct people, and a highly mobile,<br />
war-like people.<br />
The Act was written in three forms: the<br />
actual Act of Parliament; General Orders<br />
to the Army ex plaining the Act; an oath<br />
to be sworn by Highlanders promising<br />
their co mpliance w ith the Act. The<br />
latter, the briefest of th e three, reads:<br />
'I swear as 1 shall answer to Cod at the<br />
great day of judgement, 1 have not and 1<br />
shall not have in my possession any gun,<br />
sword, or arms whatsoever, and never<br />
use tartan, plaid, or any part of the<br />
Highland ga rb, and if 1 do so may 1 be<br />
accursed in my undertakings, family, and<br />
property, may 1 never see my wife, nor<br />
children, nor father, mother, or relations,<br />
may 1 be killed in battle as a fugitive<br />
coward, and lie without Christian burial<br />
in a foreign land, far from the graves of<br />
my forefathers and kindred; may all this<br />
come upon me if 1 break this oath. '<br />
The Act of Proscription, though horrid it<br />
is, has been blamed for a number of<br />
things w hi ch are never actually<br />
mentioned in it. It is commonly<br />
believed, for example, that the<br />
bagpipes were banned by the Act of<br />
Prosc ription. What ev idence is there for<br />
this?<br />
The so le contemporary ev idence that<br />
might lead one to think that the English<br />
government paid any attention to the<br />
existence of bagpipes is an in ci dent<br />
directly after Culloden. Th e En glish<br />
rounded up w hat Jacobite so ldiers th ey<br />
hadn't killed after Culloden and<br />
brought them to England to be tried for<br />
treason. (Note that th ey were not tried<br />
in Scotl and, which had its own distin ct<br />
lega l system, and that this was a breach<br />
of the eighteenth article of the Treaty of<br />
Union.)<br />
The Engl ish were, of course, eager to<br />
condemn and pun ish as many as<br />
possible so as to make an example of<br />
the Jacobites w hich none would ever<br />
want to emulate again. When it was<br />
found that one James Reid did not carry<br />
arms but pipes, the Court in York<br />
observed th at 'a Highl and reg iment<br />
never marched without a piper.' This<br />
was sufficient reason to condemn him<br />
to death in 1747 for pl aying a part in<br />
the treaso nous Jacobite rebellion. Later<br />
commentators take this to mean that<br />
th e pipes were therefore officially<br />
considered an 'instrument of war', but<br />
this is never stated. There is no<br />
ev idence that th e York Court had any<br />
in fluence on the creation of the 1747<br />
Act of Proscription, made in London.<br />
What wou ld we expect if the bagpipes<br />
were actu ally covered by the Act? We<br />
might expect them to be named - as<br />
were th e sword and gun - in th e Act,<br />
but th ere is no mention.<br />
The Bards<br />
We wou ld also expect the Gaelic bards<br />
to be prolifica ll y furious about it! Th ere<br />
are scores of songs, by major and minor<br />
poets, attacking the English for taking<br />
the tartan from them. There are also<br />
many poems decryi ng the requirement<br />
to give up their weapons to the<br />
occupying arm y, as they wou ld no<br />
longer be able to parti cipate in the<br />
noble past-time of hunting. But no one<br />
claims that they have to give up the<br />
pipes. In fact, there are a number of<br />
poems in praise of the pipes, w ith no<br />
word of them be ing outlawed or in<br />
threat, and there was little more dear to
'Cor isteoch so<br />
ch omhol tos<br />
'Each household will receive a year's supply of<br />
Treoir absolutely free! This is the good news for<br />
<strong>Comhaltas</strong> members during 1997/'98. The first<br />
adult member of each household will be the<br />
recipient of this great offer.