|
Comhaltas Convention The annual Convention of Comhaltas
Ceoltóirí Éireann in Britain took place over the
weekend of February 15-17 at the Holiday Inn, East Kilbride, Glasgow.
The weekend got off to a great start with a concert by Comhaltas na nóg.
There were groups performing from the four Scottish branches, Ceoltóirí
na Breataine and some of the tutors who were in attendance for the weekend.
A cois tine followed to complete the evening.
On the Saturday there were well-attended workshops in piano accordion
by Colin McGill (Laois); button accordion by James Hogan (Offaly); flute
by Mike Hurley (Sligo) fiddle by John McHugh; traditional singing from
Kate Ford (Letterkenny); set dancing from Gerard Butler (Roscommon); uillean
pipes from John Devine, (Luton); whistle from Karen Ryan (London) and
Banjo from Jody Moran (Leeds). Special workshops for all branch secretaries
was given by Marian and Anne Marie Brogan (London). Martin Gaffney from
Dublin held a PRO workshop.
On the Saturday evening there was a well-attended dinner/céilí.
The evening began with dinner at 9pm with two special presentations made
from Comhaltas to Frank McArdle and Fred Sweeney from the Irish Minstrels
in recognition all their hard work and contribution to Comhaltas in Britain.
These medals were presented by the president of Comhaltas Mr Jim Teevan.
The entertainment followed with céilí and set dancing which
was led off first by St. Roch’s céilí band and then
we were treated to the three tutors Colin McGill, James Hogan and Gerard
Butler for the set dancing céilí.
On Sunday morning the AGM of Comhaltas in Britain took place at 10.30am.
There was again a large attendance of delegates from throughout Britain.
This was a very good meeting with the committee being elected as follows:
Chairperson: Vincent Jordan.
Vice-chair: Paul Geraghty.
Secretary: Anne Marie Brogan.
Treasurer: Seamus Brogan.
PRO: Anthony Moore.
Irish Language Officer: Margaret Gallagher.
Auditors: Moira Callaghan and Sean McDonagh.
Youth Officer: Katy Boyle.
At the same time there was a meeting being held by Comhaltas na nóg.
Their committee for the following year was also elected and is as follows:
Chairperson: Katy Jordan.
Vice-chair: Patrick Callaghan.
Secretary: Róisín McArdle.
Treasurer: Jade Freil.
PRO Officers: Colette Hunter, Matthew Nevin and Siobhan Caulfield. |
