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Iml 36 Uimhir I 2004 I SS No 790 004XTREOIR,Iris Oifigiuil Chomhaltas Ceolt6irf EireannThe Book of Traditional Music, Song and DanceDesigned and typeset by Graftronaic. Co. Kerry, Ireland.A Tribute to Tony Finnegan 2 26 Murchadh na dT6itean 302 Realising Tony's Vision 3 27 EU Status for Irish? 313 Music at the house 4 28 Gaeilge san AE 314 25 Years Dancing 4 29 The Future of Comhaltas5 Jigging along in the Memory in a Changing World 33of C6iHn Sheain Dharach 5 30 Convention for Ottawa 356 John Gordon of Drumcully 6 31 Fleadh Nua 2004 celebrates7 Book of New Compositions 8 '50 Bliain de Chomhaltassa Chlar' 368 The Legacy of Piper Chris Langan932 Clonmel hit by Flood -9 The Italian Connection 9of Fleadh Bed Bookings 3810 The Stars came out at Bedford 1033 Fleadh World DancingII Margaret Brohan II Record Bid 3912 Fond Memories of Highways 34 A Role Modeland Byways 12 for the New Ireland 3913 The Earl's Chair in Ballinlough 15 35 Labhras is Manchester's14 Harvard Praises the Bard Tipp Person of the Year 40of Ballinasloe 16 36 Treoraf Nua d'usaid na Gaeilge15 Danu - The Road Less Traveled 17 san earnail Bia agus Df seolta 4116 Irish Tunes and Friendly Faces 18 37 Terrific Concert on17 Gradam an Chomhaltais Canadian Prairie 41for Larry Reynolds 19 38 From the Song of the Anvil18 Ceol Corbraf 20 to the World Stage 4219 Echoes of Erin - Birr 21 39 Reflecting with Dan Keane 4420 Ballycastle CCE 1973 - 2003 22 40 A Man of Friendlinessand Courtesy 4521 Memories and Milestones 2341 A Man of Reels and Eels 4622 Folklore of Glin 2542 We Must Respect Irish Language 4723 Ireland on the Move 2643 Athnuachan - Renewal 4824 Amhranafocht ar an Sean-N6s 2744 Foinn Seisiun @ Fleadh Nua 5025 Irish Music Aliveand Well in Durham 29 45 Seamus Fay - Cavan's Lilter 5146 Michael Sexton 5147 Clare's Turloughmore Ceilf Band 52TREOIR (I ss 790 004X) is published quarterly by 48 The Best of the Best 53CCE. Belgrave Square. Monkstown. Co. Dublin.Ireland. Single copies €3; Subscription Rates: Ireland49 A Son ofTipperary 54and Europe € 12; Britain £9 Stg; Australia and New 50 Cross Border Sessions 56Zealand $20. USA and Canadh. single copies Euro 3AUSAPO and at additional mailing offices, USPS062790. Postmaster: Please send address changes toAdministrator. TREOIR. 165 Fernly Park Drive.Alpharetta, Georgia 30022 USA.1

TREOIRpioneering self-help revivalism whichshaped Irish culture in the early 20thcentury, and made traditional culturalforms central to national progress andself-realisation. His final completedproject illustrates his resource. Hewanted a major monument toO 'Carolan which would ratify thecommunity's work and heritage. Withapparent ease, he rapidly galvanised abroad range of supportive interestsand then triumphantly unveiled asplendid bronze sculpture ofO 'Carolan at the Festival in October:an eloquent symbol of O'Carolan'senduring legacy to later generationsRealising Tony's VisionTony Finnegan RIP35 Sewell StreetEast FremantleWestern Australia, 6158dcusack@central.murdoch,edu.au5 February 2004I am Western Australia-born but lived in Ireland 1985-99. My paternalgrandfather was a native of Kilmainhamwood, Co. Meath. During my fourteenyears in Ireland I spent a good deal of time in that locality culminating in mywriting the history of the parish for the centenary of the church in 1998. Ialso attended the O 'Carolan Festival at Nobber each October from 1988. Ithus got to know Tony Finnegan, his wife Ann and family well.When I was in Ireland on a brief visit last November I visited Tony knowingthat, while responding well to the treatment for cancer, he was still quiet ill.We sat in his livingroom and, with his customary unfailing politeness andcourtesy, he outlined in some detail his vision for the conversion of a derelictpublic house/residence in Kilmainhamwood village into a cultural centre andmuseum.Uachtaran an Chamhaltais Tony Finnegan (RIP)congratulating Nuala Hehir of the Ennis CeiliBand at F/eadh 2003 with Ardchisteoir Padraig6 Dufaighfor whom his music is a unifying andcreative heritage.We little knew then that Tony's passingwas so near. He rests now in Nobbercemetery, close to O'Carolan'sbirthplace in Spiddal townland, andwithin earshot of O'Carolan Collegewhere he hosted so much superb Irishmusic. He will be sorely missed byAnn, his family and his many friends.Yet, part of his rich legacy to us is thatwe understand that for Tony thestrength of tradition was a greatstimulus to innovation. Tradition forhim was an inspiration, not a barrier.Tony's work teaches this truth to hiscommunity and to Comhaltas, as weface into the challenges of modernity.It is valuable wisdom. Go dtuga Dialeaba i measc na naomh do.- Seamus Mac GabhannJust days after my arrival back in Perth in December I got a phone call withthe sad news that Tony had passed away. Only last August, the currentPresident of the Western Australia branch of Comhaltas Tom Kearns and withKathleen met Tony at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Clonmel. Tom and I have bothsent cards of condolences to Ann. I would now like through you to convey bycondolences to Comhaltas Ireland. Even though Tony never made it toAustralia, he is remembered here and his loss mourned.Tony was a very fine man. I am only too aware of the trojan work that he andAnn did for Comhaltas - at local, county, provincial, national and internationallevel - over the years. he was also encouraging and supportive of me in myown endeavours. He arranged a farewell function for me in a pub in Nobberprior to my departure from Ireland in June 1999. His premature departure soearly in his term as Comhaltas President is a cruel blow. It is hard to believethat he is gone.As a memorial to Tony I would love to see his vision of a cultural centre atKilmainhamwood enacted. I realise that, without his energy and perseverance,this will now prove much more difficult. I do hope, however, that Comhaltasmight find some way of bringing this project to fruition. At this distance, thereis little practical support I can offer. But I can at least firmly state my moralsupport. And my appreciation ofTony's work.Yours sincerelyDr Danny Cusack(Research Associate Historian, Murdoch UniverSity)PS It is still my ambition, given the right circumstances, to return to Irelandand make a contribution to preserving the cultural traditions of Meath.3

Jigging alongin the Memory ofCoilin Sheain DchRisteard Mac Aodhadancing master'ss"s~==I=I~:to one side of hihis very presenlc8: .... '"~ifl" ,!~,,'Music, song and dan_.w.:~;.natural part of the ei1i_.M • . ~1home where the mo .. U ....of television and teIE!ptII ••intruded on these pasd,..1lIf"himself, could turn a sonlgJ' ••today, it would be his brclthtllt'JII ....:{.who is still alive that is rec(lII1J~wellspring of inspiration for th6.IQdI,(i;"·many sean-n6s singers. It was ~iiiilII1:'l\'r:.:..late in C6ilin's life when the publicwoke-up and began to appreciatejewel of heritage that C6ilin had in hisdancing. Like many other traditionalicons who have passed on to SIi naFirinne, C6i1in had no booking agent orcalling card, but the world seemed tobeat a path to his door as hisrecognition and fame spread."Fhis~ was well desened.The present 0ireach1as sean-n6sdance champion. R6Isfn Nr Mha!nIn;hei'self a native of Rosmuc crectbC6i1fn with intuendng her to pick-upthe sean-n6s style. But d1e pFOOf if' ..pudding is the fact that C6itrn himself'twice won tfte hody contested ComMh6iM:fn", 6 Grfofa. Con~most ~ dance cont8St.""t.t. only dancer tIO have won It twiceMd '" was 78,.,.. ()fd the seconddml'that he brought the cup home toCIIdach 6 Dheas. C6IIfi1 was also a_,~ wrsatile dancer who did-ffl-well u d1e usual reel. lfd1eoccasion called i>r him to perfonn asecond dine, he would ..... repeatthe same dance twice. TheConnadItman's Ramble JIB was aIwa¥sone cl his favourItas and has becomevery much associated with his memory.-t __ \ed~ NI INIGlnfn two time WinnerCWIIIn SIiedIn Dharoch receMng the ~rst p/ace~ ... an n Sarah UI Mh6me and FesfiwIIOIJfIftlIItRlste6rd Mac Aodha next to her.performance given to each dancer.Donncha 6 Mufneachain and JoeO'Oonovan are two of the respectedadjudicators who have helped to setthis scandarcf In the past.Thi Important dance c:oneest lleId on• Saturday n~ of the ~butthere is a whole Weebnd d QIfttnIevam:s Indu

9TREOIR

TREOIRProvincial Council, Jim Teevan, whoreminded all just what it was likewhen he travelled to Bedford on acold foggy night, where along withothers, laid the foundation of thissuccessful branch.One of our top talented dancers and leader of thedance troup 'Up against the Buchalawns' GerardMacAu/ey with Isabella Con/ey from Dundee andShonagh Dimmick from Bedfordof today's strong and determinedcommittee to keep the Comhaltastradition alive.One of those early founder memberswas the present chairman of theHe thanked the branch for its workover those 25 years and pointed outjust how Comhaltas had grown overthe same period.Padraig 6 Dufaigh attended as arepresentative of the Ardchomhairleof Comhaltas and made the point ofsaying that 'we must all now, lookforward to the next 25 years'.Here at the Harpur Suite, it was anight when the stars came out, thoseshining stars of Comhaltas ensuringthat the traditional arts continue intothe future.11

TREOIRComhaltas has often transported meto the secret world of traditional music,secret to me until then, and now aworld that would be mine for the restof my life. Echoes bloom like springflowers in my memory. Buncranaresonates. John McCracken leads medown deep defiles of Donegal music at awonderful Fleadh Cheoil.With hardly apause, we sing on our way to theshopitable Brolly homestead inDungiven, Co. Derry.Ann is singing arefrain 'My Ireland I wish you were free'to the accompaniment of Francie. JoeHolmes lilts on his ways while his friendLen Graham sings perhaps of'Mullabhan'and Ann suggests a visit for me toCullybackey to record John Kennedyand the Cullybackey pipe Band.A bravenew world opened by Comhaltasemerges. This is a sacred place when allcultures and creeds are truly welcome.This is my world, united as Tone said by'Protestant, Catholic and dissenter.' Weare truly the musicmakers and thedreamers of dreams.The Piper's Club in Thomas Street inDublin breathed the warm spirit ofComhaltas personified in the uniquestytle of its host Jim Nolan. Hisintroductions were innovative! Myintro, simple, accurate and arcane wentlike this: Jim:And now ladies andgentlemen, I'd like you to meet a veryfamous man indeed.' A long but notconfused pause, as he turned to me,asking quietly, what's your name? Thenhe said: 'Ah yes its the man himself,Doniki 0 Doniki. There was hissublime confusion of Ulick with Eunichor a night that Sean Connery becameSean O'Connor. Jim was the heart andsoul of the party, a truly unique andwonderful simple man who introduceda wider world to the greatirrepleaceable world of the PipersClub. It was here, too, that I first metmy friend Tom Glackin, PaddyMcEllvaney, Joe Liddy and John Keenan.We sat on forms and listened to greatmusic while the young one learned thetunes! There's a PS leading to ourAmerican trip. Jim once shared a roomin a large and opulent house inWashington DC, a house with allAmerican mod cons. As Jim, with hisquota of carrier bags up the stairs hestartled our hostess.A loving houseMaam. I's say it might be cold in thewinter. Breifly speechless she carriedon, 'What would all you folks like forbreakfast, a large one I suppose?' Jim:'Whatever is handy Maam and a nicepiece of fried bread, oh yes, I'd like tosleep next to the wall.' Like all the kindfolk who shared with us their homesand hearts, she smiled and said'certainly'. Jim and I had eggs sunnysideup and fried bread for breakfast. Godrest you Jim.Before we travel to the States I have amemory of a show with PaddyO'Brien and his daughter Eileen inPuckane, Co. Tipperary, not forgettingEileen senior who kept me neatlyshorn in Nenagh when her hairdressersign solemnly told us that she was'Late of New York' and the tea wasgood as well! I remember well howGene Kelly of 'Singing in the Rain' famecame twice to the show and boughtme a pint at Paddy Kennedy's pub.Music and time wash gently by theshore of Lough Derg as I think of themall especially Paddy Walsh and Alice.13

• # ...... . ..... -.The Earl's h•In BallinloughThe John Gaffney Branch ofComhaltas in Ballinlough haverecognised the contribution thatmusicians, singers and dancers of thearea made to the cultural life of thelocality, which permeates to this dayon a national level.Irish traditional music is nowextremely popular throughout theworld and though Comhaltas afulr Itsformation in 1951 up to this day hasplayed the major role In thisexpansion, this would not have beenpossible were it not1c>t the peoplewho kept the mUitc allYe during theearly part f!If the 1900's and before.Thes. ~ the people that arereco&nised in Ballinlough by theComhaIas branch in the form of alimestone seat placed outside theWhite House Hotel and named 'TheEarl's Chair' (the name of a good reel)The chair was unveiled by SenatorLabhras 6 Murchu Director Ge08laof Comhaltas Ceolt6irf ~ireann, . .. ~~8pm Mass in Ballintouahoffered for the happy repOSfrgreat people.Many ern ... hIUthave -. WII1J AlClDl'iillllWhen John returned from Americahe lived in BaIIInlough and was wellknown for his music and teaching.Another man who was famous in theUSA was Thomas Caufield fromGr;mae. Ballinlough. Born in 1903 heemigrated to the USA in 1924 andsettled in Philadelphia. In the 193O'tupto the 1950's he was No I inIrish Musician Union of whicI)Secretary and Treasurer. H. ~and played with the Erin'$: '.rideOrchestra, a band whldlorplayed asurvival andChair' will hopefullypeople of the Iepcy. wblchhave left us and how much weshould appreciate It.A Symbol of AppreciationIn bis-a4dress at the unveiling~ony. Senator Labhris 6 Murchuaid: 'The 'Earl's Chair', this limestone.... In the village of Ballin10uah laintended as a symbol of ~for all those men and womtIt-.down through the years kept thetraditional music, song and dance ofIreland alive. Many of .... finepeople emigrated and btouIht theirtraditional arts to far off plues,passed them on to the n_generation and today their.".......... h ..............-.. ,"".......-._ :::r'(l :~::;'I =,::;,:_."..";.........,, (" ..... ... ~·or ......... ~ ..........-~:~~~~.".they sowed theto harvest and thatm ll'VP'

TREOIRChaucer scholar Fred NorrisRobinson taught the first Gaeliccourse in America at the college.Robinson grew up in Lawrence, a millcity north of Boston that was soheavily Irish it had its own Irishlanguage newspaper, notes DaveBurke of the Irish Foundation.Anactive member of the Irishcommunity, Robinson welcomed DrDouglas Hyde to Boston inDecember 1905, and took part innumerous activities hosted by theGaelic League. He taught Irish andWelsh courses at Harvard for fortyyears before the school formallycreated a Celtic Studies department,thanks to a donation of $5 I ,000 fromphilanthropist Henry Lee Shattuck onbehalf of the Charitable Irish SOciety.Under the leadership of Dr Ford andPhil Haughey, Harvard's Celtic StudiesDepartment today remains active inthe Irish community at large. It haspartnered with Boston College's IrishStudies Programs, and supports localcultural groups like Sugan Theatre. EachOctober it hosts an annual colloquiumthat features the latest research ofCeltic scholars and graduate studentsfrom across the world.The Department has recently initiatedan effort to endow a lecture series inhonour of the late Professor John VKelleher, who was departmentchairman from 1962 to 1984. Kelleheris credited, along with EoinMcKiernan and others, of helping toestablish Irish Studies as a legitimatediscipl ine in American colleges.Reynolds, meanwhile, continues hisrole as Ireland's ambassador of Irishmusic, a duty he has also passed alongto his sons Larry, Michael and Sean.Boston's Comhaltas Chapter hostedthe annual convention in Boston inApril 2003, regarded as one of thebest Irish gatherings ever held in acity long accustomed to successfulIrish occasions. The calibre of music atthe three-day convention impressedSenator Labhr;is a Murchu, DirectorGeneral of CCE in Dublin.The status of Irish music in Boston isexceptional, thanks to Larry Reynoldsand his family; a Murchu said,echoing a sentiment shared byeveryone in Boston who loves Irishtraditional music, dance and culture.As comfortable on a college campusas he is in a dance hall or pub session,Reynolds and his good friend SeamusConnolly have become regularattendees at the gatherings hosted bythe Friends of Harvard Celtic Studies.The evening always begins withconvivial conversations about the Irishlanguage and various academic andscholarly issues. When Larry andDanu - The Road Less TraveledBrian PriorSeamus take out their fiddles andstart up a few tunes, it brings smilesand nods of approval from the Celticscholars in their midst. The musicreminds everyone present that theGaelic literature they're studying inancient manuscripts is part of avibrant expression of Irish culturethat has survived the ages.Michale P Quinlin is a flute player andauthor of the forthcoming book, 'IrishBoston: a cultural history of Boston'sIrish community from the 18 th century)to the present.This is the fou rth CD from one of the most excitingbands on today's Irish traditional music scene. Danucan generate tremendous excitement in their playingand thrill audiences, both young and old, withoutcompromising the tradition from which their music isderived - no Eastern European musical influences or distracting offbeatshere to discommode the discerning listener!.' . J The /?oad less Travrled': ! .:..... ~ .. , ~ \~~ ~~ ' ~.,~This is their first CD with singer, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and is also the firstsince the return of guitarist, D6nal Clancy (son of Liam Clancy of the famed"Clancy Brothers") to the band. Other band members include DonnchadhGough (uilleann pipes/bodhran), Bennie McCarthy (accordion/melodeon),Oisin McCauley (fiddle), Eamonn Doorley (bouzouki) and Tom Doorley(flute/whistle). Guests on the CD are John Sheahan (fiddle), Garry a Briain(guitar),James Blennerhasset (bass) and Aongus McAuley (cello).Although Danu are often referred to as a Waterford -based band, they alsohave very strong Dublin links with two members (Tom and Eamonn Doorley)hailing from Glenageary, The Doorley family have always been strongly involvedin Comhaltas activities and mother, Helen is currently an active member of thePipers' Club committee. Prior to the onset of the Band's extensive touringcommitments, Tom and Eamonn were highly involved in teaching music at theCulturlann in Monkstown. In fact you could say that they'd gone full circle asTom himself took lessons from Vincent Broderick in the past and was one ofthe valued members of the Summer Seisiun shows which also took place inMonkstown. As one of today's top traditional performers Tom alwaysacknowledges the help and encouragement he was given whilst learning hiscraft by the musicians of the day and it's very heartening to see him nowpassing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation.What can you say about the recording? All varieties of dance tune from reels,jigs and hornpipes to slip jigs, hop jigs and polkas are included. The hornpipeswith guest, John Sheahan ("The Wonder" and one which he wrote himself) areincredible! The voice of new singer, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh has a uniquetonal quality and she is undoubtedly a major new fo rce on the singing scene -her selection of songs on the CD also has to be highly commended.This is one CD that all lovers of traditional music should add to their collection.17

TREOIRsoulful version of ' Rocks of Bawn.' Hesaid he had spent more than sixmonths coaxing her to sing.'I love to see people break out ontheir own,' he said. 'Here, I'm notplaying to the audience; I'm playing toour group, trying to make sureeveryone's comfortable.'The star of the evening at the GreenBriar was a 12year old fiddlerwhose solo was wildlyCavanaugh said sheIrish fiddle the momentthrough thefrom, the history,people.'They instill that in yousubde ways, but, boy, itsomething I come back toI play.'For more on Comhaltas CeoltoiriEireann, which promotes Irish musicthrough education and sodal gatherings,call 78 1-899-091 I. For more on musicat The Skellig at 240 Moody St, call781-647-0679.19

TREOIRThe building is heated by oil-firedcentral heating and is fully wheelchairaccessible.Fundraising of course continuedapace during the course ofconstruction and through the Trojanefforts of our local representativesMaureen Barrett, MCC, MichaelCollins, TO, and Senator John Cregan,we were allocated grant aid totalling£ I 09,000 (€ 138,400) and have beenallocated a further £ I 0,000 fromNational Lottery Funds. We cannotleave the subject of fund raisinghowever, without mentioning TheQuad. For the uninitiated, a quad is, toall intents and purposes, a four-wheelmotorbike. We bought our quad for£4, I 00 and sold raffle tickets for £ I.We travelled the length and breadthof the southern half of the country,taking our quad with us on display ona trailer, selling tickets;'A quad for a quid' was our slogan.Tremendous effort was put into thequad campaign - on more than oneoccasion, a sales team departed Glin,with quad in tow, at S.30am. In all,some 26,000 tickets were sold at £ Ia piece and by the end of thecampaign our treasurer was seeingstags in his sleep!After much discussion, we decided tocall the completed building CeolCorbrai, with the main hall beingnamed Halla Martin Mulvihill inhonour of the late Martin Mulvihill ofBallygoughlan. The Seomra would bededicated to the memory of ourfounder the late Padraig 6 Cearbhailland be known as Seomra Phadraig.We felt that the Seomra, with itsopen fireplace and cosy atmosphere,would be a fitting tribute to a manwho loved nothing better than goodcompany and a song or a story.Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis- Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh ProgrammeMy Beautiful GlencorbryDan KeaneWhen tender thoughts caress themind,And stirs the soul to flame,It makes a wish deep and refined -To speak a well loved name.That lingering whisper in my heartI'll shout with love and pride;My beautiful Glencorbry,Above the Shannon's tide.How sweet the road from Tullyglass,Back by the scenic route,That knew the laughs of lad and lassIn happy days of youth,Twas grand to be so young and free,But in age we love you more;My beautiful GlencorbryDown by the Shannon shore.From Glenagragra to Kinard,And by Killeaney fair,Or wooded vales that wave regardsAcross the waves to Clare,Or when the tidal waves roll in,To kiss the ancient wall;My beautiful GlencorbryWe love you most of all.The wide streets of our lovely town,Are filled with welcomes rare,While soft our native voicesGive genial greetings thereOur emigrants from hearts that love,Send whisper o'er the sea;'My beautiful GlencorbryYou are ever dear to me'Our hearts like theirs are faithfulThe Gaelic games we play,We sing the grand old Irish songs,In the grand old Irish way,We serve the soul of Ireland's rights,As our father's did before;My beautiful GlencorbryYou are Irish to the core.There's a lonely land- Kilfergus;Where our dead and dear ones sleep,They are clasped within its bosom,While their memories still we keep,They have gone to meet the saviour,In their long eternal rest;My beautiful GlencorbryThey are cradled on your breast.21

(" \6",·-::J 0L ~ 111h \ nOOUT! £.61lives of great men all remind usWe can make our lives sublime,And departing, leave behind usFootprints on the sands of time.Longfel/ow, 'Psalm of /ife'It was October 1972 and we had justtouched down in Louisville, Kentuckyhaving left behind the rest of the firstComhaltas tour group in New York.Through the superb efforts of Bill McEvoy this bonus trip had beenorganised and John Joe (the Boss), Pat,and myself were been met by Sean.We would join up later with the restof the group in Chicago but now for afew short days it was family time.How proud the Boss was! Of a sonwho had been a reluctant in StMacartan's College in Monaghan andlater Rockwell College, now forgingahead with US armypromotions/citations and masterdegrees from the University of Toledo.It was very evident that his wife Mariawas steering the ship on a preset andagreed course and the trappings of aprosperous lifestyle were there toprove it.Between the good food, great musicand unreserved hospitality one nearlyforgot why we were there at all.A fewdays later we were leaving and Seanhad found those extra hidden noteson his accordion. Driving up toChicago to meet the rest of the groupfor our first concert, 'The Flax wasBlooming', 'The Stars were overMunster', 'Rakish Pat' had played with'Farrell O'Gara', on the 'Mountain Top'and the 'Music in the Glen' neversounded better. If Sean's accordionhad words instead of notes it mighthave spoken and been glad of the rest.Truly a memorable reunion of familyand music - thank you Bill.There were other milestones too!!Some years later the Boss had passedaway - The Gardiner Trio were thenplaying to a celestial audience andSean was back in Ireland for a veryspecial occasion.The Morrison Music Festival was infull swing in Riverstown, Co. Sligo andBrian O'Kanein that year - 1994 - John JoeGardiner was being honoured on hishome ground home to the greats -Coleman, Morrison, home to his longtime friends Paddy Killoran, NedKilleen. Tommie and Mickey Hunt, JoeDowd, John Egan, Peter Horan.Tommie Flynn. Paddy Mc Donagh. thelist is endless.23

TREOIRFolklore of GlinBanshees, Hedge Schools and CuresBernard StackThe recording of traditional beliefsand customs and traditional ways ofbehaviour common to members of aparticular society provides a valuedinsight into the mindset of pastgenerations. Consequently thecollecting of local folklore is of specialimportance for every community inorder to gain vital perspectives intothe ways our forefathers lived,worked and thought.The late johnny Wallace ofTullyleague.was much in demand by returningemigrants endeavouring to trace theirroots. He was the last of a generationwho could trace the genealogy ofpractically every family in the parish. atalent handed down from generationto generation.I once discussed the phenomenonknown as The Banshee with him,which was reputed to be associatedwith certain families only. Peopleheard the Banshee, an eerie spinechilling wailing in the sky, apparentlycircling the house of a seriously illperson and rising higher and higher inthe sky. Death generally ensued.johnny informed me that themessenger of death followed all theWall ace families in Glin but that itwasn't the Banshee.Long ago, when a member of theWallace family was seriously ill, all thehousehold remained indoors afterdark. If the messenger of death wereto come it would be manifested by asudden wind riSing in the distance andheard initially by the eldest familymember and the sick person.As thewind gained in intensity and camenearer and nearer, the whole familyheard it, and rushed to bolt the doorsand shut the windows. This fairy windcircled the house three times. andeach time a pounding was heard onthe doors and the windows. If noentry was gained all breathed a sighof relief. As quickly as it came it wentand all was silent again. The terrifiedfamily gradually regained theircomposure and to their great relief.the sick family member made aremarkable recovery. johnny heardthe fairy wind for the last time thenight his father died.In 1816. Shaw Mason. in his survey ofeducational institutions in Glin. madeno mention of a hedge school inBallygulltenane. Neither does it appearin the list of seven in the survey of1834. Shortly afterwards two morehedge schools were built, one In Kinardadjacent to Hogan's entrance and theother one in Ballyguiltenane. johnnyWallace is the author of thisinformation and he maintained that itwas situated three fields in from theroad between his uncle Paddy Wallace'shouse, and that of David Mclnerney.It was a stone-built thatched cabinbuilt by the neighbours. Heremembered the old people talkingabout the teacher, a master Marnane,a scholar if ever there was one. Hewas held in great esteem by thelocals. He spent several winters inPaddy Wallace's farmhouse where hediligently copied manuscripts. Hewas also reputed to have compiled ahistory of Glin.According to johnny,Thomas Launie Culhane studiedthese manuscripts and took themwith him when he emigrated toAustralia in 1927.Hedge school teachers usually foundthe payment for their servicesInadequate and had to supplementtheir income in other ways. Some, likeSean BM Aerach wrote praise poemswhich he sold to the local gentry.Others tutored the children of 'strongfarmers' for their keep and a farmlabourer's wage. For two generationsof the O 'Longains, tutoring seems tohave preceded school mastering.Mlchael 6g O ' Longain. one of themore enterprising scholars of his dayappears to have lived in reasonablecomfort with an income fromfarming. transcribing and teaching. It isestimated that 2,500 manuscriptssurvived from that era of which 150were transcribed by the O'Longains.johnny Wallace was one of a handfulof Glin people who had heard of theWise Woman of West Umerick - joanGrogan. From his back door hepointed out the site of her house. Shemigrated to Glin from Drombeg, CoClare about 1830.After a few years.she was evicted from her small farmin Ballyguiltenane. She then left Glinaltogether and settled on a ten acrefarm at Glasha an Ruadaigh in theparish of Athea.She was supposed to have similarpowers and talents to her famouscounterpart in Clare - Biddy Early.She was not involved in piseogs, was adevout Catholic but still many25

Amhrimaithe ag an Aras: Piaured at Aras an Uachtarain are singersMary Brogan (Wexford), Micheal Hipkiss (Birningham), Lene 6 Se (Cork)and Paddy Berry (Wexford)The first and most obvious thing toexplain is the term 'Sean-nos'. Thisdoes not necessarily refer to anymusical terminology but to a way oflife as experienced by our peoplewho witnessed many forced changesto the old ways. It is a rather vagueway of describing their daily routineat work and play. Songs were made toaccompany the work inside andoutside the home, to express themany emotions-love and sadness- ofdaily existence, to record local andother histori cal events and to oftenmark the loss of family and friendswhether by death or by emigration.'Sean-nos' is generally understood torefer to songs in the Irish language,while the term Traditional Singing 'means songs sung in the Englishlanguage. Obviously the art of Seannos,because of its linkage with the Irishlanguage, is much older than Traditionalsinging in the English language. Againmost of songs composed in Englishwere connected to people,communities, events both local andnational, history and emigration. In factmany were especially linked to loss andemigration.The term 'Sean-nos' (in the old way)as applied to traditional singing in theIrish Language, encompasses a style ofsinging, which is rooted in theGaeltacht regions of the country.There are three main styles of Seannos,corresponding to the three areasTraditional SingingTomas 6 Maoldomhnaighwhere Irish is still spoken as acommunity language, the Gaeltachtai ofMunster, Connacht and Ulster. MunsterGaeltachtai includes parts of Kerry,Cork and Waterford, the Connemararegion of Connacht and the UlsterGaeltacht in Donegal. It would not becorrect to say that Sean-nos is notpractised outside these areas, but onlythose three distinct styles can berecognised. Singers from the Galltachtand indeed from outside Ireland maysing in one of the three styles, or mayblend them, depending on where theylearned.The most obvious difference betweenthe styles, to someone not fam iliarwith Sean-nos, is between the Ulsterstyle and the other two. DonegalSean-nos has been heavily influencedby Scots Gaelic song, where themelody is much less ornamented-thatis through the use of grace notes, andmay also contain a steady pulsethroughout the song. Both theConnemara and Munster styles arehighly ornamented, both with formsfamiliar to a traditional instrumentalistand with other more complex forms.In all styles, the performer connectsthe text to his interpretation of themelody. There are also two categoriesof songs in all three styles, namely,slow of non-rhythmic songs and songsthat are sung to melodies with a verystrong rhythm mostly drawn from thedance music, e.g. Jigs, slip-jigs, reels etc.The first obvious thing to noticeabout Sean-nos singing is that it isunaccompanied and performed as asolo art. The singer tells the story inthe song by combining many vocaltechniques, especially through the useof ornamentation and variation, inlinking the melody to the text. Seannossingers use different techniquesto ornament the performance of asong. One syllable in a word can besung to several notes and the notescan be varied from verse to verse.Sometimes the notes to beornamented can be adjacent to eachother and at other times the gapbetween them is wide. The latterpractice is confined mainly toMunster. Different notes can bestressed for a particular effect, or anote can be held over several beats.Previous generations learned thesongs in the home and in the locality.27

Ag Deanarnh CeoilDance music tunes submitted by Paddy RyanSongs submitted by Seamus Mac MathunaThe Merry SistersReelReels: 'The Merry Sisters' and The Dogs among the Bushes' were recorded inDublin in April 1937 by Frank O'Higgins (1891 - 1975), a fiddler from Glenamona,Kilskeer, Co. Meath. He was a highly esteemed figure in traditional music circles inand around Dublin. He also taught the fiddle for many years and, among his starpupils was Larry Redican, who was prominent in New York traditional musiccircles during his lifetime there.They can be found in O 'Neill's 100 I under the numbers 535 and 542 respectively.:tti l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ gi # C ;1 I .I) J r r F r I in J J J J J I .In J r r F r I 1] J J j J J :11~il For er 1 F EJ j cl ] cl 1 For er 1 r r r r J cl J cl 1 F (i: r er 1~il Er u r U 1 f r r r r r r r 1 ErE r J cl j cl 1 r r r r Err r 1~il 1) j j J j J 1 E L r r r ill 1 f] J J J J J 1 r L r r F ~ 1lti ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ •@ # .In J in J I ]JP' [ c:t I F r r r [ I13The Dogs Among the BushesReel~i !l U 1 fJ 1 ;111 fJ 1 F F r r 1 fJ 1 J cl J cl 1 ID 1 EQf :11~ ~E ~ . ~ ~~# rJ r EEErl rl rEErl er [rrrrl er [ErErl ri r EEEr I~~ ~~i ci E : r r r 1 £t E tf [j 1 ~ r !l ~ 11

TREOIRIs Your Wife Gone Away?Ai,This is a humorous tonge-i n-cheek song which I fi rst heard back in the mid- 1960's fromthe late Dan Lynch of Cloonkeen, Co. Kerry (just beyond the county bounds from BaileBhuirne). The air is a version of 'An Capaillin Ban.',j 2 alJ) I J alJ) I a J ),I J) J) I J J J .' I r r D I,jlI'm as trou - bled a young man mySince I marr ied this dam - sel, herJl )11'Tis the plague of my life toJ J j) 1 r" r~Dbe1JtiedI J. J -. J) la J :h I a "lfriends as you e - ver did seeJ J :h I r" F p I J "lage it was scarce twe - nty threeJ :b 1r r r 1 r jlJ)1to th is false hear - ted one, for she's4 j ja J 1 J]aleft me a - lone and gone1JoffJ J 1 J a lA J :11with a - no - ther young manI'm as troubled a young man my friends as youever did seeSince I married this damsel, her age it was scarcetwenty three'Tis the plague of my life to be tied to this falsehearted oneFor she's left me alone and gone off with anotheryoung man .Our neighbour next-door she swore, was betterthan meSure, the night we were wed, they both went off onthe spreeHe comes in every night and stays dancing tillmorning awayAnd this pair left me there, quite bare when theyboth went awaySix months we were wed when this damsel, I tookher to townExpenses to pay, and for 'tay' I gave her a crown.I met with a friend and says he 'come on for a'drain'And wh ilst we were there the pair went off on thetrain.When I found she was gone li ke a madman Irushed through the square.A crying 'mo bhr6n ' and trying to tear out my hair.A neighbour named Ned , - he shoved out his headfrom a door.Saying 'your wife's gone away, will she never comeback any more.'Now I went to the priest and to him these words Idid say'You tied me to a dame, who has fairly led meastrayI paid you five pounds, on grounds you ~would bindus for lifeIf you loosen the knot I will never again take awife.'Well he told me 'go home' until more ~ ~out that hewould seeBut I'm not contented where'er in this world I'll beFor when going to town some neighbour will shoutfrom his door·,'Is your wife gone away, will she never come backany more?'I've an acre of ground , a dandy fine pig and a cowI've a fine flock of fowl, but I've no one to mind them all nowI'll sell them all out, I declare, for I'm tired of my lifeAnd says each man to Dan 'Go along and look for your wife. '

TREOIREU Status for Irish?Pairc na Tra,Port Mearnog,Co Atha Cliath.If 'language is the finest achievement of culture' then surely the people ofMalta are to be applauded for the recognition their ancient language willreceive when they join the EU.The Maltese author Gorg Ifsud Chircop, whose own Maltese is flawless, willconcede that the citizens of that republic speak a hybrid version of thelanguage and that only 20 per cent of the island's population speak itproperly.This can hardly be surprising. From the time the awe-aspiring Tarxian Templeswere built 4,500 years ago until British colonial rule ended in 1974, Malta hasbeen under the influence or rule successively of Phoenicians, Carthaginians,Romans, Byzantines,Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, the Knights of the Order ofSt John of Jerusalem (and their eight langues), French and British.By contrast, in Ireland, a unique literature had been produced for more thana thousand years, when a Gaelic poet, in despair at the collapse of his world,wrote:'Ni aithnid aicme GaedhealBanba buime a macaomh,'S ni aithnigheann Eire iad-san,Teighid re cheile as a gcruthaibh.'Yet, long after Fear Flatha 6 Gnimh's world was transformed, Irish peopleproduced remarkable works of art of the calibre of Eibhlfn Dhubh NiChonaill's 'Caoineadh Airt Ui Laoghaire' or Brian Merriman's incomparable'Cuirt an Mhean Oiche.'The largest party of our present administration was often called The Partyof Destiny', such was its support for the values, ideals and aims of those whobrought about independence. Perhaps the leaders of this powerful party, likeFear Flatha, now believe that their idyllic world has been utterly transformed,that this generation of Irish people has no pieties and respects only thevalues of the market place.Not true! If Maltese, Estonian, Latvian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Lithuanian,Polish and Slovene gain a higher status in the EU than Irish, there will beconsternation and outrage here.The President of the European Union must demand of his colleaguesforthwith that the Irish language be given its rightful status in the newEurope.Muscail do mhisneach, a Thaoisigh, for the sake of all future generationsof Irish men and women.Is misePadraig 6 Cleirigh31

Joe 6 SiorainThe last half of the last century sawmassive and revolutionary changes insociety. These changes have served totransform all our lives in ways ourforebears could hardly have imagined.Not one aspect of our social andindividual lives has been unaffected bythe radical developments which havetaken place in every sphere of humanactivity and in the way we organiseour lives together on the planet. Oursocial, economic, political and culturalsystems have developed along linesnot easily predictable at the beginningof the twentieth century. Ourscientific knowledge, economic growthand technological competence havebrought into existence a world ofhuman construction which is leadingall of the time to a future the marvelsof which were at one time, and not solong ago, the stuff of imaginativescience fiction. That is no longer true.We don't need to rehearse hereexamples of such developments. Butwe might just consider thetremendous strides made in ourability to communicate with eachother around the world. We are livingin a truly global village and itsdimensions are getting ever smaller.All of these changes have their costsin terms of intellectual adjustmentand psychological accommodation.The familiar becomes very quickly theredundant and outmoded. What waspredictable and secure has the feel ofshifting sand about it and peopleseem no longer to be as sure theywere about themselves, theirneighbours or the wider society ofwhich they feel themselves no longerto be a part.Through our cultural activity wenegotiate meaning and understanding,and it is in our cultural lives that thefirst impact of major change in ourcondition is usually felt. Our poetsand artists register in theirimaginations and hence their works ofTradition is moulded and designed again throughthe historical experience of people living today'expression, the deepest sensitivities ofthe human situation. As we encountergreat shifts in experience brought onby the sort of developments of whichI speak, it is to our cultural resourcesthat we resort in order to understandwhat is happening in our world.Without such we become victims ofthose great forces of political andeconomic power which, like giantjuggernauts, trundle across our livescrushing civility and the human scalein unthinking pursuit of yet furtherpower and dominance. If they are tounderstand and therefore in someway begin to control the pace anddirection of change, people need theconstancy and regularity, which, in a33

TREOIRsome enthusiasm and dedication.Development entails major re-thinkingabout how we conduct our business aswe pursue the main aims andobjectives outlined in the Bunreacht.We can no longer afford to be relianton casual. complacent and easy-goingprocedures and practices. which.although comfy-cosy. no longer cut itand do not deliver efficiency andeffectiveness. In our society. there aremany. many groups. ethnic and cultural.competing for scarce resources inpursuance of their specific agendas. Wenow need to join in the game andstake our claim to recognition of ourwork as worthy of support. materialand financial. We are setting out ablueprint here for a programme ofdevelopment. spread over a number ofyears. the aim of which is to build amore professional and plannedapproach to Comhaltas activity atevery level. The different elements ofthe Comhaltas enterprise constitutethe focii for renewal and development.Each branch. county/region. provincewill have its own specific experienceand perspective born of its reflectionon and understanding of theunderlying spirit which drove thefounders of Comhaltas so many yearsago. In Britain for example. theintention is to adopt a more realisticand effective use of the means ofcommunication and the mass-media;to set about the upgrading of ourfinancial structures and administrativeprocedures; the further developmentof Culra; to search for more effectivemethods of promoting the use of theIrish language; facilitate therecruitment of young members topositions of responsibility; toencourage more regular use ofdemocratic practice throughout theorganisation; to promote participationin cross-cultural activity. and muchmore.But the renewal of Comhaltas hasimplications that reach beyond thefairly straightforward tasks ofstreamlining the organisation in itsdifferent facets.There is incumbent on us now therequirement to broaden ourperspective to encompass the widersociety and culture within which welive and move. We have a role to playin critically evaluating some of themore insidious factors that are nowbeginning to impact on all our lives nomatter where we live.Globalisation. the domination andcontrol of the media by a few. therealities of multi-ethnic social forms,the ravages of untrammelledconsumerism and the ecologicalcatastrophes which are no longerhypothetical. but cast iron certainties.The tools we use to measure andjudge all of this are the basic values andexperience that have been intrinsic toour native traditions for centuries.In the business of extending.expanding and maximizing our missionand enterprise, and as we transmit tocoming generations that which is inour trust - the rich heritage of ourculture, manifest especially in ourmusic, song, dance, poetry. story andthe language. we have to be as wise asthe children of this generation and yetremain children of light.Convention for OttawaThe Ottawa Branch will host the North American Convention March 31.AprilI & 2,2005. Ottawa last hosted a Convention in 1989 when Tom McSwigganorganised what many still consider as one of the better conventions held inNorth America to date. We still hear people comment at conventions that·Ottawa. yes, that was my first convention. That was a great one.'Maureen Maher was a visitor at that one and joined Comhaltas shortlythereafter through the encouragement of family and friends in Ottawa. Maureenis originally from Shannon Quebec, a small Irish community northwest ofQuebec City and was Mayor of Shannon for some 14 years. Her father camefrom Lahinch, Co. Clare and worked hard within the community of Shannon tokeep the Irish culture alive and well in Quebec. That love of, and commitment tothe Irish culture is strong in Maureen. Now, as Chairman of the Ottawa Branch.she and her committee plan to host another convention that people willremember with as many good memories as they have still of the '89 convention.The year 2005 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Ottawa Branch; anotherreason to celebrate!Ottawa has a very active Irish community with lots of Irish music - concertsand seisiuns galore, dance and theatre. We are particularly proud of our severalIrish dance schools. The North American Riverdance Tour this past yearincluded Jennifer Healy, the daughter of one of our dance teachers, Sue FayHealy. We also have two young ladies who are no stranger to TREOIR.AnnMargaret Hoyle and Siobhan O'Brien were both members of the IrelandComhaltas Tour. Ann Margaret is now our Ottawa Branch Youth Officer andSiobhan is Youth Officer for the Eastern Canada Region.We are an active branch with a monthly ceili that features our Ottawa Ceili Band.Tom McSwiggan, by the way, is still our band as are Frank Cassidy, Dennis Alexanderand Rosario Ruane. We also have several new members of whom we are veryproud. We also hold weekly dance classes for adults as well as music and Irishlanguage lessons. Sadly, we lost our home at St. Patrick's Hall this past year but havebeen very warmly welcomed to our new home at Blessed Sacrament Church.We look forward to welcoming you to our city and our convention in 2005.Please join us for great craic and ceol! T aimid ag SIJil (ailte a c/Jur rom/Jaibll go dtiar gcothair agus ar gcomhdl!ail. Noel! mbeidl! tu /inn i gcomllOir craice agus (eoll tilOrbarr?- Ottawa Convention Committee35

FLEADH NUA 2004 '50 BLIAIN DE CHOMHALTAS SA CHLAR'Date Morning Afternoon Evening NightSat. 22 nd MayFailte ConcertProgramme to be ConfirmedSun. 23 rd May Outreach Programme Outreach Programme Outreach ProgrammeTo be Confirmed To be Confirmed To be ConfirmedMon. 24 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Lunch-Time Concert Music North Clare! Club Fleadh Nua - Old GroundOifig Fleadh Nua Foinn Seisiun Workshop Meet the MusicianExhibition Launch - MuseumTues. 25 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Lunch-Time Concert Exhibition - Museum Jubilee Teacht le Cheile -Oifig Fleadh Nua Foinn Seisiun Workshop Cois na hAbhnaClub Fleadh Nua - TemplegateWed. 26 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Lunch-Time Concert DVD - Fleadh Nua Set-Dancing - QueensOifig Fleadh Nua Foinn Seisiun Workshop Club Fleadh Nua - QueensThurs. 27 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Lunch-Time Concert Oscailt Oifigiuil Ceili (Tulla) - Old Groundw Oifig Fleadh Nua Foinn Seisiun Workshop Club Fleadh Nua - Templegate-JFri. 28 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Lunch-Time Session Street Entertainment Singers ClubOifig Fleadh Nua Foinn Seisiun Workshop Set-Dancing Workshop Aos 6g - DanlannPub Music TrailCeili (Abbey) - Cois na hAbhnaClub Fleadh Nua - Old GroundSat.29 th May Radio Fleadh Nua Celtic Studies Street Entertainment Celebrity Concert - Auburn LodgeOifig Fleadh Nua Scoil Fleadh Nua Senior Plearacha - Holy Family Pub Music TrailScoil Fleadh Nua Street Entertainment Singers Club Ceilithe:-Com6rtas Rince Naisiunta Junior ScoraiochtlPlearacha Pub Music Trail (Turloughmore) - Cois na hAbhnaSet-Dancing Workshop(Michael Sexton) - Old GroundStoryTellingClub Fleadh Nua - QueensSun. 30 th May Oifig Fleadh Nua Seisiun Launch Street Entertainment - F. Custy Senior Scoraiocht - Holy FamilyAifreann Story Telling Cultural Parade - Tostal Sraide Pub Music TrailRadio Fleadh Nua Munster Pipe Band Comp Seisiun M6r - Ennis Ceili Band Ceili (Kilfenora ) - Cois na hAbhnaWalking Tour of Ennis Sean Reid Lecture Club Fleadh Nua - Old GroundPub Music TrailMon, 31 st May Radio Fleadh Nua Radio Fleadh Nua Ceili (Four Courts) -Farewell Session Farewell Session Cois na hAbhna

TREOIRFleadh WorldDancing RecordBidEamonn LaceyClonmel could secure its place inthe Guinness Book of Records thisAugust.~ ' .~~,~~,~~. , ,~; ," " 'tr:~.d i :.L f 1I11.-~~'.~. ~ ." ."~'(f~~ ftl.~"~o&, ,.~• •.j''.:'GJ!.,.•.!t.O-o:~•• Sf~ l' i"":~ " t{~JllI t:' · ~ \'\ l'tr. J-c~'/;: ' : :'Jt' I .l) f. ~ ' "'~/J '~l~, \J\~. _ ' ~ - . it ~":i';;. ' ~ " I-!~ . 1 rP~:~~~ r " 1"~ ; , . AI~:t ~,~

TREOIRTerrific Concerton CanadianPrairie328 Saskatchewan Crescent West.Saskatoon. SK S7M OA4 CanadaTelephone: 306-665-6074I am writing on behalf of CladdaghBranch. Saskatoon. Canada. to thankComhaltas Ceolt6iri Eireann formaking the 2003 Echoes of ErinNorth American Tour available toour branch and community. We hadthe privilege of hosting the firstconcert of the tour and had thecompany of the troupe for twodays and nights. The performers andmanagerial staff were delightful.polite. appreciative and the finest ofguests. The concert itself wasexceptional and a delight to all whoattended. It drew people from asmuch as 180 miles away; 510 ticketswere sold. We appreciate the costand logistic difficulties of sendingthe Tour so far west to the sparselypopulated Canadian prairie. Thesenumbers show that it isoverwhelmingly appreciated.Could the concert have beenbetter? Indeed. it needed noimprovement. It was terrific. Wemissed two sounds - the whistleand the bodhran. On the otherhand. the sounds we did hear. andthe dancing. were totally fulfilling.The theme of transatlanticinterchange worked well. I thought.and the whole show was presentedwith a fine mixture of elegance andpersonable closeness with theaudience.Please extend our thanks and ourvery warmest greetings to thewhole cast and crew of thiswonderful 2003 Tour.Cordially.Ted LeightonBranch Chairman41

TREOIRduring the Emergency - beingstationed in Athlone, Sligo, TheCurragh and Clancy Barracks inDublin. He reached the rank of Armycaptain. During his latter years in theforces he was drawn to theprofession of Gents Hai rdressing, atwhich he became proficient.On completion of his army careerPaddy registered with the PrisonService. He signed on w ith theGovernment at Ba.m. on his first day- and resigned at 12 noon. 'It musthave been the shortest Civil Servicejob record in history' - he recalled.'I'd rather go in behind the bars withmen than see them trapped like that'he stressed! Immediately following,Paddy joined partnership in a smallhairdressing business in Drumcondra,and soon afterwards bought out thelease on the premises, where heremained for the next thirty years, tocarry on a quiet and steady trade.Amongst the greats of showbusinessof the time to visit his intimateBarber's Shop were Jack Cruise, JohnMolloy, Brendan 6 Duill Uohnny Mac ,from The Reardons'), Vernon Haydenand Joseph Locke. Stars, all, of thehighest note - yet, while sheeted tothe swivel chair Paddy would 'scissorsthem' at their funny craft!Since he won his first talent contestas a debutante comedian - acting as areplacement - in Sligo, years ago,Paddy Fallon had spent an entirelifetime making people laugh. It washis travelling trademark - heembarked on no refresher courses.He cherished, always that comicalglimpse into the past. His intangiblehumour and conviviality drew theraces towards him, across amultiplicity of landscapes.An esteemed and honoured memberof Comhaltas Ceolt6irf Eireann sinceits foundation, Paddy, as anchorman -as always casting in the role of 'Fearan Tf' - continued to promote andadvance the cause of Irish t raditionalmusic, song, dance and comedy in histwenty tours, taking him throughoutEngland, North America, Canada,Australia and as far away as Libya.With bodhran in hand, and an untiringwit, he incessantly entertained - andarticulated the Emerald Isle - andhome, on the world's stage.As a bodhran player he excelled - itcrystallised his comedy. The dullinstrument may have been his firstport of call, on his extensive voyageof entertainment. He told the truestory. Fallons of Corrigeenroe, was an'open house' where journeyingmusicians, came and went. One suchwandering minstrel - unknown -burdened with a half day of superiorintoxication, having swiftly departed,left his bodhran hanging on the anvilwing. Ownership never claimed,within reasonable time the youthfulPaddy anchored the opportunity, andsweetened to the timber rhythm eversince. The bodhran has occupied prideof place in his knapsack ofamusement.A glass case in the sitting room of theFallon household in Castleknock,Dublin is tastefully decorated withmany bouquets, in recognition ofPaddy's lengthy, and distinguishedentertainment career. On themantlepiece, above the open fire,stands a 'special prize' - a goldinscribed emblem, worded 'SO Bliainag Fas' - in honour of his dedicatedfifty years of service, to CCE. This wasPaddy's last rosette!Hanging on the entrance hallway, aspecially designed bronze plaque ofNorth America is suitably scripted, Inacknowledgement of The immensejoy and laughter' he introduced totheir chapter, on his American tourswith CCE.Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasalceolmhar.43

of Friendlinessand CourtesyIt is with the most profound sadnessthat we learn of the untimely death ofTony Finnegan. In the Comhaltasmovement there has been no greaterstalwart than he and his passing leavesits future deprived of his very specialenthusiasm and energy. The record ofhis work at all levels in Comhaltasstands as a monument to his service,reflecting as it does his absolutededication to and love for theorganisation and his work.An abidingmemory of him will be genuinefriendliness and courtesy to all.Personally, I owe to him the ease withwhich I was able to take up a seat onArd-Chomhairle as delegate fromBritain. It was he who first welcomed mewith a firm grip of the hand and a warmand generous greeting. He also showedmuch interest in the Culra idea, especiallyCulra na n6g and whenever we met hewas always supportive and encouragingof our efforts in the initiative.for best qualityand value for moneyConcertinas, Banjos, Guitars andHand-Made Violins from O'Neillsof Gortin, Omagh, TyroneSee www.boorinwoodmusic.com (UK)2881648492We are now consoled with the trustthat Tony is with God and reaping hiseternal reward for a life lived and lovewell spent, a great portion of which wasexpended in sustaining value in ourcommon lives through the promotionand transmission of our beloved Irishcultural traditions. It is said that no oneis irreplaceable; that may be true ofsome enterprises, but it can never betrue of families and here a belovedmember of the Comhaltas family is lostto us and his presence in our midst isnot replaceable.We extend our sincere condolences toAnn and the family. We assure them ofour warm respect and prayers. He was alovely man among us and now he is inthe bosom of loveliness itself. We thankGod for his life an celebrate itsachievement. He seems gone from us;but he is with God and God is very near.Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.Seosamh 6 SiorainComhordaitheoir CulraDecember 15, 2003

TREOIRhis life and musical background,sharing stories of fishing and music oras son John aptly put it 'the reels andthe eels'.Grandchildren Colleen & Paul Foxalso performed as did theCoalisland/Clonoe CCE Youth Groupconsisting of Cianin Hanna,AlannaCampbell, Claire Kennedy, BrianMcCabe, Usa Graham and MaryMc IIvenna (Branch & County YouthOfficer).From S.30pm onwards there was anotable increase of traffic in theDerrytresk area, with the local clubbeing the chosen destination. In totalover 250 relatives, friends and fellowmusicians had travelled from all overUlster to be present and pay theirown respective tributes to this greatman. Presentations were made toTommy John by Jimmy Herron onbehalf of the local branch and PatBeagan on behalf of the UlsterCouncil. The presence of several otherUlster Council Officers (EamonnGraham Vice-Chairman, FrancieMcCormack Treasurer, and Gary LynchYouth Officer) is indicative of thewidespread high regard that TommyJohn Quinn is held in. Gary Lynch alsocommented on the comfortable mixof ages all blending in together, unitedin their love of Irish Traditional music.Eamonn Campbell, County Chairmanand branch member was fear a' tr forthe night. There were over SOmusicians in attendance with one,Michael McCullough, reciting anentertaining poem he had composedin Tommy john's honour.Photographs from his early days rightup to the present times, tracing hisfamily and musical life, were ondisplay, no doubt evoking manymemories and instigating nostalgicdiscussions. Having played in severalCeilf bands over the years it was nosurprise that there were dancerspresent, eager to take to the floor. Asexpected music echoed in theDerrytresk air into the wee smallhours with Sarah Ann O 'Neill thereto provide a song.This night organised byCoalisland/Clonoe ComhlatasCeolt6irf Eireann and the Quinnfamily will undoubtedly go down inmemory as one of the great localtraditional nights, which are possiblebecause of the strength and richnessof the Lough Shore cultural heritageand the people who carry it on. It isfitting that we recognise this and wethank Tommy John for his time andhis talent.This is a poem that was writtenespecially for the occasion by MichaelMcCullough (banjo-mandolin player)was an unexpected and welcome partof the appreciation night proceedings.Congratulations Tommy John you'vereached the Big SOStill knocking out the jig and reelsupon the oul' two rowYou've been around at every fleadh;you're known the country o'er(You must be paying thephotographer who takes the picturesfor the Treoir)With your bosca ceoil upon yourknee you make the music flowAnd all your friends are glad to seethe man from 'round ArdboeWhether its reels or eels it mattersnot he's active every daySo here's three cheers and manymore years to the man from theWashing bay.We Must RespectIrish LanguageIn reply to Margaret O'Keeffe's letter inthe Irish Independent regarding Irishwithin the education system - has she anyconcept of Irish identity? Does she haveany pride in her language and culture?I take great offence as a 'gaelg6ir' fromConnemara at her statement that Irish 'isa dead language'. As a native speaker witha degree in Irish and currently pursuing apostgraduate course through Irish inprimary school teaching on the FallsRoad in Belfast, I can safely say from myexperience that the language is not'dead'.From my teaching practice so far inGaelscoileanna in Belfast and havingtaught in a Gaelscoil and Englishspeakingprimary schools in Cork city, Ican say confidently that the standard ofIrish taught in these schools isextremely high.To say the standard of Irish teaching hasdropped is to insult the teachingcolleges, the curriculum and all the goodhardworking teachers who do their bestto teach the language.You cannot blame the Irish language orthe Department of Education if you arenot able to gain entry to a postgraduateteaching course. The honours C grade isthe standard that they have set. Not allcolleges nor courses have the sameentry requirements. That is why suchpostgrad courses are very competitiveand difficult to get into.Your letter was a blatant insult towardsIrish speakers, teachers both trained anduntrained who are doing their best toteach our native language and to the Irishcolleges. These colleges provideopportunities to teenagers every summerto improve their Irish in an environmentthat places a high value and respect onour language and thus keeps it alive andgrowing among young people today.We are the future teachers of the nextgeneration. If we have no respect forour language and heritage. neither willthose after us.It is a responsibility I do not intend tobe guilty of once I qualify.- Eileen Ni MhailleRosmuc. Co no Goillimhe47

TREOIR• Consider and implement the newIrish Language Policy.• Consider funding opportunities forday-to-day work and specialprojects.• Position the session at the heart ofthe branch.• Consider and confront thechallenge of cultural globalisation.been employed. This utilises theexpertise within Cornbaltas and alsobrings on board several persons notdirectly involved 'Nith Comhaltas. butwho are completely S)'Mpathet1c withthe work of the li\averneht.Meitheal is aimed aUndiYiduals andgroups across .. ~ Md In Irishcommunities ~to encourapand support pen.lAb,., ~based actions tot. ... pr;amodoo andenjoyment of trtdidUhal ant. Theinterests, talents ancl' energies of awide array of indM4l~ If1IUPSwill be engaged diroU&h newconnections, partnentdp and Iocaf c0-operation, to work 1ioge1her for thebenefit of all.Flexibility, partnership.lftf'onnaIlty.mutual support and networking arecorner stones of the MeItheaIprocess. Under Meithel1, iijdlYlduals..can participate in projeQ:s_particular interest to the~_ t ;.having to work through a ~organisation.A very wide ranae ofprojects can be promoted, fteMlinking older players in informalmusical settings to Internet protectSutilising cutting edge technology.The Meitheal initiative is alreadybearing fruit. Projects underwayinclude a weekly Internet programmeof traditional music compiled byWillie Fogarty, which can be accessedat www.comhaltaslive.ie; theestablishment of a new residerr£ialsummer school In music; thecompilation of directories Of localartlstes stretching back over theyears; a schoors eckic:atIon InidatbIeJed by Wirue Larldn. comprising qf aaraded tutor book and CDROMIDVD to support the musicprogramme at primary school levelNew NjgIonaI dtweIopment teamS wdJbtt established to promote supportand faCIlitate the development of thetraditional arts on the around.These'CieamS will be comprised of full-timepersonnel and will cornplermlnt 1:heexIStIng provincial. county ind branchstructures. Comhaltas wt1I develop anumber of strategicalI)' locatedregional centres around the countryto provide facilities for teaching.rehearsal. archives, recording andperformance. and session playing.• Highlight the work of CC~ usingInternet, newspapers. broadcastingand other outlets.'f9

The Best of the BestMike Rafferty is Echo' top trad artof2003Earle Hitchner hltchn r@iri h-... ·"',...A number of 'Ceol' readers havereminded me that there are many Irishtraditional musicians on both sides fAthe Atlantic who distinguish th~year in, year out, and thus deserveserious consideration for T~Artist of the Year, the Irish Edto\highest accolade for t:raAllitlClinIII,_"I agree. But it's only partcldMt....",why the honouree for aoa 11 MIkaRafferty, a 77 year oItJ. whtstIIe.uilleann pipes, Jew's ~ and ..master from the ~ afl.amlgathe parish of Balli__ ~Rafferty, who's livlid US ...1949 and resides Ii\ ~Heights, NJ, did incteecJ ........spots on the rec~of Olhers:In 2003,Rafferty~~"to adult students on • 0htH0-0nebasis each week at hi$ ~ WU amusic instructor at the CatsIdIIt IrishArts Week in East DurtlMt;.t:4andthe Swannanoa Gatherinc If\ ~NC, participated in c8f$ sponsored layComhaltas Ceolt6irf ~'s ~Coleman branch at the Kerry HtIIInYonkers, NY, and Michaer Rafrert:rbranch (named for him) at theVFWHall in Bogota, NJ, and have one of theyear's best concerts on March 28 WIChbutton accordionist Billy McComiskeyand keyboardist Felix Dolan, plusdaughter Mary Rafferty on whistle, atLower Manhattan's Blarney Star pub.Tom Madden of Glen Ridge, NJ, tapedthat concert, and the double CD (22tracks totalling over 85 minutes ofmusic) he made is a prized possessionof mine. The sound quality isremarkably good, considering Madden~ from a front seat in the audience,and the pIayin& is the pure drop. fullbodiedand Immensely appeatlng.But Mike RaffertYs own rigorousmusical standards would not allow thetwo-CD pac:Icace to be releasedcommercially. He sImple wasn't'COmb table with some of the~ he heard In the playing.ThIs hid nothing to do with ego orvanity. It MS about cherishing andrevertnc the tradition enough to get itcompletely right and to present It Inthe best possible Jicht.for ~ getting It right andp,.,sendng It In the best possible lightinclude an unfrenetIc pace. 'Fast musicis like fast talk: you can't understandwhat the person Is saying.' he saidduring my interview with him lastFelN'uary In his home We're pIayi"lfor other people, but we're alsopIayin& for ourselves. I like to play Irishtraditional music at a nice, easy tempo.No speed. That's how I learned it, andthat's how I teach it.'That flowing, rolling, soulful, artfullyunhurried style of East Galway playingcan be heard throughout the threeexceptional albums Rafferty recordedwith his daughter Mary: 'TheDanprous Reel' in 1995, 'The OldFiraslde Music' in 1998, and 'The Roadfrom SaWnaklll' in 200 I. (All threeCOs are available atwww.ralt.ertyrnusic.com)An unfaltering tastefulness threadsthrough Mike Rafferty's playing, andmany of the tunes have uncommonsettings that convey a freshness andvibrancy rarely equaled elsewhere. With53adYancing age has also come advancingskill for Rafferty, whose commitment toImprovement - for himself, for hisstudents - never wavers.'Since I retired (in 1989), I've brushedup on my music and I practise a lot,'he said. 'I think I'm playing better thanever, and I'm enjoying playing more. Iplay a little bit fNery night for myself.Tunes come Into my head, and I have atape recorder to take them down.That's my method.'It's a method from which fNery Irishtraditional musician can learn. manyclearly have, Including flute anduilleann pipes player Brian Holleranand Mary Rafferty, a former buttonaccordion and whistle player withCherish the Ladies. In a liner note forHand-me-down: her excellent soloalbum of 2002, Mary Raffertymentioned her father's tape recorderand the tapes he'd make - an IabeIed'Learn these tunes, Mary.'His diligence and devotion to Irishtraditional music have made MikeRafferty not only one of Its finestperformers and instructors. but also asource of inspiration for coundessothers. The Irish Echo is proud tohonour him as Its Traditional Artist of2003. He joins an illustrious line ofprevious awardees: Charlie Lennon,James Keane. Joe Derrane, SeamusEgan,Joanie Madden,John Whelan,Mick Moloney, Liz Carrol, KevinCrawford, and Seamus Connolly.

TREOIRrifle and Webley revolver.The British, under Captain McKay ofthe Leicester Regiment, engaged in 'apincers' combat of the wood. Someentered from the Castlerea end andthe rest from the west side oppositeLoughglynn school and near RogerMcDermott's house. Due to JohnBergin's illness the progress was slowand even though he told his comradesto go ahead and leave him theydeclined to do so. Half a mile furtheron the firing started.Toby Scally was first to be shot in theleg, the impact of the bullet knockinghim into a drain. The other threeadvanced taking shelter behind theriverbank all the time returning the fire.They fought till their ammunition supplywas exhausted and eventually theywere forced to surrender, but notbefore shooting Private Davis in thechest. Davis was taken to a nearbyhouse screaming for the death of hisassassin. Satchwell, McDennott andJohn Bergin were brought to a clearingin the wood where they were given anunmerciful beating and bludgeoningwith rifle butts and their bare feet werepounded with the stocks of the rifles.John Bergin as captain offered toaccept responsibility but it made noimpression on the bloodthirsty Britswho held an instant on the spot courtmartial.The result was a foregoneconclusion. Stephen McDermon. thenonly nineteen, and John Bergin wereshot there on the spot.Returning from a Station Mass CanonGeraghty PP Loughglynn and hisCurate heard the commotion andwent to the scene of the shootingadministering the last rites to bothvictims. Though dying John Berginreceived the sacrament before heexpired. The bodies of the deadvolunteers were removed toCastlerea by military lorry as well asthe wounded Joe Satchwell. Next daythe bodies were handed over torelatives and after Requiem Mass inCastlerea Church the remains of JohnBergin were brought to Nenagh forburial and that of StephenMcDermott to Ballinagare to thefamily burial plot.Subsequently Joe Satchwell wascourt-martialled in Athlone andsentenced to fifteen years penalservitude. He was released after thegeneral amnesty in nineteen twentyone.Later he married and settled inCloonkeen between Castle rea andBallinlough where he lived out therest of his life.After being shot into a drain TobyScally later scrambled out and limpedpainfully across the fields towards 'asafe house'. On the way he wasfortunate to meet with GeraldO'Connor, a teacher in LisaculNational School. O'Connor wasCommandant of the CastlereaBattalion and on the previous nighthad been attending a meeting of theSouth Roscommon Brigade atRathconnor, Fourmile House andafterwards set out for RogerMcDermott's house in LoughglynnWood, his temporary home while 'onthe run'. On the journey he became illtwice and decided to rest at theuncle's house, Crean's of Moyne.In the morning his uncle told him hehad heard the sound of gunfire comingfrom the direction of LoughglynnWood. He arose quickly and making hisway across the fields in the direction ofthe gunfire only to meet with thewounded Toby Scally who related thedetails of the mornings escapade. Hetook Toby to Reilly's house in Cortoon,but as a safety precaution he laterremoved him to Jordan's in the sametown land lest the Tans came to searchfor him. Next evening twosympathisers, Ned Shannon and TomCrawley took him to Scally's inCloonaugh, Carrowbehy where heremained till he had recovered.Arrested later in Loughglynn, he wasinterned in Castlebar where heendured an eighteen-day hungerstrike before transferring to Mount joyjail in Dublin. During his sojourn inMount joy Toby Scally was a witness ina murder trial at Green StreetCourthouse. The murderer accused,many years later, was hanged forshooting a woman who hadsurrendered to Toby while he was amember of the Republican police,ironic in a way.James Keane of Leitrim, Fairymount,but who lived the greater part of hislife at Rathnollog, Ballinagare wasvisiting his son Fr Bernard who wasChaplain to Loughglynn Convent onthe day of the Loughglynn shootings.He visited the scene and later wrotethe ballad The Woodland ofLoughglynn'. Fr Bernard was very muchassociated with the IRA and carrieddispatches for them. He was undercontinual surveillance by the RIC,military and Tans. On one occasion hewas beaten with a revolver and hishouse pillaged and robbed.Hereunder is my favourite version of'The Woodlands of Loughglynn'. Itseems to be the most authenticversion and least subjected toalteration. This is the version I gotfrom Anne Marie Fitzgerald, a youngteacher from Carrowbehy inLoughglynn parish. She learned it ather mother's knee.Paddy Ryan, Oifigeach Ceoil CCEonce stated that a good traditionaltune 'is not the work of one, butmany men' a sentiment with which Ifully concur but I gravely doubt if thiscriterion can be applied to a goodtraditional ballad. Words are omittedor added which can entirely alter themeaning. Indeed in some cases versesare added which are superfluous anddestroy a work of art.'The Woodlands of Loughglynn'The summer's sun was sinking lowbehind the western seaThe lark's loud song was pealingsweet but it brought no joy to meFor the one I loved is far away he lefthis kith and kinHe fought till death and then he leftthe Woodlands of Loughglynn.A noble Irish man was he, John Berginwas his nameHe belonged to Tipperary and from55

Agent for Cas, __Paolo Soprani,Joe MooneySummer School of TraditionalMusic, Song and DanceI 7 July - 24 July 2004Drumshanbo, Co. LeitrimWorkshopsFlute, fiddle, accordion, concertina, harp, uilleannpipes, tin whistle, banjo, mandolin,bodhran, sean-n6s singing, set dancingEnquiries to:Nancy Woods: 071-964 1213nwoods@ioLieMary Doyle 071-964 1426

FJeatJlJNua

TREOIRNenagh town he cameBut now thank God that he is gonehe is free from harm and sinHe let them have his parting shot inthe Woodlands of Loughglynn.McDermott too was brave and truefrom the plains of BallinagareHe is missed from many a fireside inhomes both near and farHe is missed at home at Brackloonby his own dear kith and kinAnd his comrades true shall miss himtoo in the Woodlands ofLoughglynn.When our heroes brave were dyingthey sent for the clergymanLet no one think they feared to facethe English Black and TanThe clergy came and were in time,but as they said 'Amen'McDermott's soul was departingthrough the Woodlands ofLoughglynn.Young Bergin said that he was proudto die for Ireland's causeTo free the land from Black and Tanand cruel alien lawsSaying 'Goodbye to Tipperary and toevery dale and glenAnd to all my faithful comrades in theWoodlands of Loughglynn'Take this message to our own braveboys and tell them we are deadTell them be of utmost cheer andhold no drooping headTo keep their brains a-using to fightand not give inAnd be proud to die neath an Irishsky in the Woodlands ofLoughglynn.These were the words our braveboys spoke as they died forIreland's causeTo rid our land of Black and Tans andcruel English lawsGoodbye to old friends fight side byside like gallant Irish menAs they closed their eyes and said'Goodbye to the Woodlands ofLoughglynn'.56

Uilleann piper Eamon Walsh andSenator Labhrcls 6 Murchu receivingRobert Emmet proclamation fromFrank Connolly and John PriorA Son of TipperaryThe story of 'The Woodlands of Loughglynn'Seam us 6 DubhthaighThe sun blazed in an azure sky thatgorgeous Spring morning. The lark'stireless lay was punctuatedintermittently by the occasional callof the cuckoo as it drifted aimlesslyfrom tree to tree in the balmy air. Inthe fields around, delicately mantledin shades of green, the newbornlambs frisked and played mid thedaisies and dandelions and an eeriesilence, short-lived though it was tobe, enveloped the surrounds ofLoughglynn in West Roscommonextending westward till that terrainbecame fused with the verdant plainsof East Mayo on the horizon.It was the nineteenth of April innineteen twenty-one and the War ofIndependence raged nationwide. Thestruggle, which had abated somewhatsubsequent to the disastrous EasterRebell ion, had resurfaced and withnew resolve had been gainingmomentum. Battalions and brigades ofthe Irish Republican Armymushroomed overnight, a plethora ofvolunteers swelling the ranks withone problem only, a dearth of arsenalwithin the ranks, a problem that couldbe solved only by confiscation fromthe enemy.Early in nineteen nineteen a battalionof volunteers was organised inCastle rea and aligned to the SouthRoscommon Brigade. It comprisedsixteen members who drilled nightly.About this time also John Bergin ayoung man from Nenagh in Tipperaryarrived in the town. His father was atimber merchant and having acquiredan interest in Mount Druid woodnear Ballinagare some miles distantfrom Castlerea he decided to send hisson to Connolly's sawmill in Castlereawith the objective of gainingexperience in the timber business.Young John Bergin was twenty-two, afine specimen of manhood withdynamic personality and extremelyhandsome, yet beneath his sombregood looks was concealed a braveryand a great leadership quality. Whenhe joined the Castlerea Battalion ofthe IRA he was an automatic choicefor the captaincy of the unit. Beforelong, and as a result of his exploits, hebecame well known to the forces ofthe Crown.In January nineteen twenty JohnBergin because of his life-style ofsleeping in damp dug-outs contractedpleurisy and pneumonia. As aprominent republican he could not besent for medication to any localhospital and so it was decided that heshould be cared for by a nurse,Margaret Coli at the home of MichaelO'Callaghan, the Principal Teacher ofCloonboniffe National School.Michael, himself was a noted IRA manand very much under suspicion byCrown Forces, his home being undersurveillance of RIC and British military.After some time at O'Callaghan'shouse it seemed prudent to removethe patient to Nurse Coli's house asdue to its location it was a lessertarget for military raids and even thenon an occasion when a big militaryraid was imminent it necessitated theremoval of John Bergin to a heatedchamber beside Cloonboniffe Churchuntil the danger has passed. Soon afterhe was removed to Castlebar hospitalunder an assumed name, the movebeing facilitated by the Fourth EastMayo Battalion from Aghamore inCounty Mayo. Here he remained formany months and his recovery wasslow as antibiotics were unheard of inthem days.Frustrated with his plight hedischarged himself from Castlebar onApril seventeenth nineteen twentyoneand after a day and a halftravelling, he arrived at the house ofRoger McDermott which lay withinthe confines of Loughglynn Wood, forthis was 'a safe house' where manyvolunteers were entertained andharboured at the time. Not being fullyrecovered and exhausted from travelhe was advised by the household togo to bed. Also in McDermott's houseon that night were three othervolunteers, Joe Satchwell of Cloonreenear Castle rea, Stephen McDermottfrom Tully, Ballinagare and Toby Se allyfrom Cloonaugh.Next morning was the nineteenth ofApril. While Roger McDermott wentout to fodder his cattle at nine in themorning he observed military forcesengaged in a combat of the wood. Healerted the four volunteers whodressed hastily and grabbed whatarms they could muster and hastenedtowards the northern end of thewood. Scally held a shotgun andWebley revolver, Joe Satchwell a LeeEnfield rifle and shotgun, John Bergin aWebley revolver, and Stephen had a54

presence in the set dancing scene,steadily gaining more notice each year.The band now plays regularly forceilithe across the country from Clareand Galway to Dublin Cork and Kerry.Visitors to Fleadh Nua 2004 will beable to dance to their music at the Coisna hAbhna ceili on Saturday, 29 th May.(Four-in-a-Row for the Banner County?)An ClairineachPOdraic O'Reilly, leader of the Ennis (eili Band,receives the Winner's Trophy, from Uachtarcln an(homhaltais Aint6in 6 Fionnagclin (nach maireann)while being filmed for RTE's Leargas programme2003 marked Three-in-a-row' for the Ennis(eili BandThe Kilfenora (1954, 1955 & 1956)and Tulla ceili Band (1957) did it inthe fifties but can the Ennis Ceilf Bandand the Turloughmore repeat this featin the 21 se century? Ennis have pavedthe way by bringing the All-Ireland ceil[band title to Clare in 200 I , 2002 and2003. Now it's up to Turloughmore tofinish the job in 2004!The ten musicians in theTurloughmore have ceil[ bands in theirblood and dedicate themselveswholeheartedly to their music - thisis evident in the pleasure, whichradiates from the stage during theirhigh-octane performances.The Turloughmore Ceil[ Band wasformed in 1999 and its foundingmembers were Pat Costello, DenisLiddy, Brfd O'Gorman and DavidSanders. The intention was to form atraditional ten-piece ceil[ band ofcommitted musicians to play goodmusic purely for enjoyment. The Bandname comes from the well-knownfeature of the Clare landscape -Turloughmore in the Burren - thelargest turlough in Europe. (turloughsare seasonal lakes common to Clarewhich only appear during the wetseason of Winter and completelydisappear in Summer).The other initial members of the bandwere Dan Liddy, Sean Vaughan, OrfhlaithNi Bhriain, Bernie Liddy, Paul O'Driscolland Jennifer Lenihan. They first played atceilithe in Clarecastle. Since then theTurloughmore has established a quietCompetition has become animportant part of the band's activities.They have had spectacular success inthe annual Munster and All-Irelandsenior ceil[ band competitions, havingwon two Munster titles and beentwice runners-up in the All-Ireland. Asa result they recently appeared onRTE's Leargas programme about thecompetition. They've also performedtwice on Ceilf House and many timeson Clare FM local radio.The Turloughmore Ceilf Band hasreleased one CD to date - The Bee'sWing'. This is their first recording, andalthough released early in the career ofthe band (200 I), is still a goodrepresentation of the blend and life thatthey have developed in their music.The Turloughmore Ceilf Band'scurrent line-up is as follows:Accordion: Brian O'Dea • Banjo:Siobhan O'DonoghueConcertina: Mary Liddy • Drums: PatCostelloFiddles: David Sanders (Band Leader),Denis Liddy & Joan HanrahanFlutes: Brfd O'Gorman & DavidO'Brien • Piano: Marie QUigneyWhatever the results of the SeniorCeilf Bands competitions in 2004, onething we're assured of - based on lastyear's performances both at Provincialand All-Ireland level - is some fantastictraditional music. Should theTurloughmore succeed in lifting thetitle, then as they said for the Clarehurlers back in 1995 'there won't bea cow milked in the county for atleast a week I!'52

•OlnnFIeSeisiundh NuaTraditional s~ssions form an essential part of any Fleadh Cheoiland this year Fleadh Nua will run a series of workshops onsession tune sets each afternoon from Monday, 24 th to Friday,28 th May between 4.00 to 6.00pm.The workshops are aimed atmusicians who wish to increase their repertoire of the morestandard session sets published in Comhaltas Foinn SeisiunBooks I & 2.These two publications contain 220 standard traditional tunesarranged in 74 sets as played at the Tuesday and Wednesdaynight sessions at the Culturlann in Monkstown.Tunes consist of reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas, slides, mazurkas,etc. Book I contains standards such as Joe Cooley's Reel, MaidBehind the Bar, Bank of Ireland, Lark in the Morning Jig, Kid onthe Mountain Slip Jig, Ballydesmond polka and other commonsession favourites arranged in 39 sets. Selections in Book 2 arealso established traditional standards and additionally includesome of the 'bigger tunes' such as the Bucks of Oranmore, theKilfenora jigs and reel sets plus the famed Tarbolton set. 'theLilting Fisherman, Tell her I am and Going to the Well for Water'jigs, etc. Book 2 contains 35 session sets.In addition to the session sets workshop at Fleadh Nua, therewill also be Fleadh Club sessions each night where players willhave the opportunity to join with other musicians in playingFoinn Seisiun sets or some of their own favourites.For anyone who wants to obtain a copy of Foinn Seisiun, theseare available from Comhaltas Head Office as outlined below.Price for each book is € I 0.00(20% discount applies for Branch orders of 10 or more)Post & Packaging rates as follows:Ireland - Single Copy € I/Both Books €2UK - Single Copy €2/Both Books € 3Europe - Single Copy €2/Both Books €4Rest of World - Single Copy € 3/Both Books € 5Orders should be forwarded to:Comhaltas Ceolt6iri Eireann32 Belgrave SquareMonkstownCounty Dublin, IrelandTel: + 353 (0) I 280 0295Fax: + 353 (0) I 280 3759E-mail: enquiries@comhaltas.com50

,Long before Y1J~IfffI''QEireann was toa_ICIAIII ~ t:1native music enj~ilrl~.~"~albeit in the hOiM'iOtrmlil'~~:rlwhich are nrl'!'~fI!I't.published rnrrnanilfor about threecollectors beginncollection in 1726William Neal ofIrish Tunes', which rnr,~"_11iIMm!:~nine airs. Edwardfrom musicians in his put)IICaLUQJrUfl1796 of 'General Collection ofAncient Irish Music'. Thereafterfollowed several collections: HenryHudson (1798-1889) - eight hundredand seventy tunes; George Petrie(1789-1866) - one thousand fivehundred and eighty two tunes;William Forde (c. 1759-1850);JohnEdward PIggoCt (1822-1811) - overtwo thousand tunes;James Goodman(lUQ;.'89') - almost two thousandtunes. Patrick Weston Joyce. Umerick(1827-1914) - eight hundred andforty two airs;~n ~ O~iU (1148-1936) -U14 JUQf!lS (n four'YOlumes and Isfthfy f8IIIi'ded among musicians to., bttctuse ofhis status u a flute~: Frank Roche. Knocldong. Cot.imerlClk (1866-1961) - 566 tunes;~AIoys Reischman (1910-199'2) UCC who published seventltousand tunes In two volumes:8rean'dUl1reathnach (1912-1985) -I •• tunes In flve volumes.In the early years of the last centUrythe recordin&s of those musicians whohad emigrated to America, PatsyTuohy.John McKenna,james Momion, MlchaeICoIeman,The FIanagan Brothers amongthem, had major Influence in keepingthe music alive here In Ireland. Becausenative music is primarily anAuralliradltion, those recordings werehi&hly prized among musicians.Even so, at the time of the founding ofComhah:as in 195 I. the statusafforded to native music haddeter10rated greatly here in Ireland.emigration, poverty and even the~de of the church had not heIpe4Comhaltas addressed this by puttin&in place a movement, which wasrooted In the community. Theyadopted an education stru£tlJI1l whichwe can be proud of and which hasreaped a rich harvest. Today'spractitioners of tradltignal music areby and large the result of dedicationand effort by countless teachers.In 200 I. Comhaltas rightly celebratedthe 5()dt Anniversary and in 2002Initiated a period of renewal -Athnuachan. While we reflect on pastachievement we must plan for thenext 50 years. As part of this renewalprogramme, the concept of Meitheal- working together as a team - has'f8

TREOIRA Manof Reelsand EelsLast year Fleadh Cheoil Thir Eoghainwas hosted by the Coalisland/Clonoebranch and when the subject ofchoosing a fleadh patron arose at oneof the preparatory meetings therewas no debate. One name wasechoed by all with the unanimouschoice being Tommy John Quinn.Tommy John is an accomplishedaccordion player with over 70 yearsexperience in the field. At the age ofseven he first picked up the mouthorgan before moving on to amelodeon borrowed from his auntLiza Quinn. Showing promise andtalent his father travelled to theShankill Road and bought him a PaoloSoprano button accordion at £3.1 Os.From the 1940's he became involvedwith playing in Ceil! and dance bandsand at present is an integral memberof the Ardmore Ceil! Band. His ownfamily were introduced to traditionalmusic with sons Pat and John familiarfaces on the music scene. Teachingbutton accordion over the years hehas passed on his craft to many.A well-known figure the length andbreadth of Ireland, playing atfleadhanna and seisuin near and far, heis normally one of the last to leave.Tommy John is a recognisable face ofTreoir and has frequently appearedmore than once in the same issue. Heis accustomed to accompanyingdancers at feiseanna, has been both acompetitor and adjudicator in Sc6rand has adjudicated Read6irf.In Fleadh competitions he has beenUlster Senior Melodeon champion onmore than one occasion and hasattained success at All Ireland level.A former secretary ofCoalisland/Clonoe CCE, he is still avaluable, diligent committee memberpromoting and cultivating traditionalmusic in the locality and beyond.Dungannon and South TyroneBorough Council have formallyhonoured his contributions at arecent ceremony when anAchievement Award was bestowedupon him. Truly a man of many talentsTommy John has been a commendableambassador for his native LoughShore area. A fisherman raised inDerrylaughan at the Blackwater river,he has a wealth of knowledge, talesand stories from the locality, hiscompany and music warming many afireside. In December 2003, hecelebrated his eightieth birthday, anoccasion that warranted specialacknowledgement.Saturday 10 th January 2004 saw aspecial evening being held in hishonour. The evening kicked off withthe man himself and some of hisfamily and friends taking part in theTommy Sand's Country Ceil!programme on Downtown Radio.Tommy John was interviewed about'+6

TREOIRReflectingDan Kean ...-...-..'I don't drive a car anYlmoret:that to do with thewriting this inhas that to doare few

An extract from a special tribute tothe late Paddy Fallon comedian andentertainer by Tom Curley, creativewriter and close friend of Paddy.Even though he lived in theneighbouring parish of Castle knock,Paddy Fallon regularly attended lastMass in our local Church. He was aswell known in Navan Road, as he wasin New York, Chicago, Boston andBallyjamseduff.It would be difficult not to notice thatdignified carriage, down the side aisle,as he entered, or his stilted stride tothe rails, to receive Holy Communion.Throughout his long and eminentpursuit of comedy, storytelling andmusic, he thinned the leather in lairs,with a multitude of miles of marchingto the high altar, to receive hiscountless chalices of laughter.Paddy would wait in the Chapel Porchor at the gate outside, and accompanyus the few hundred yards down theroad, to where we lived.At times, itwas difficult enough to keep pacewith his measured thread.The Mass sermon - or gate collection- hauled him back to ancient eulogiesof terror from severe Parish Priests,and wicked visiting Missionaries - tothe harvesting of donations, voteheckling and promises made, bypandering politicians, election day intheir sights. On approaching his new'Micra' parked at the footpath, hewould joke 'It's still there anyway -'they' must obey the Sabbath aroundhere.' Jokes fell his way as natural asthe toss of a coin.In our front (or back) room - with aglass of beer, or a cup of tea - hisfavourite beverage - he would sit onthe couch, then 'complain' that 'thecushions were 'hard' - did ye run outof feathers' - he would enquire!Already embarked on his best Sundaymiscellany - dinner was temporarilymoved to the cooling shelve - thethrow-in of sports commentarydelayed. Global calamities, scapegoattribunals, political or financialdisorders, all failed to addle his ego.Such misfortunes were mere wind tothe waves of his boundless ocean ofjest.Paddy would often pay theunexpected visit to us. The sharp tapon the door glass - never thestubborn knocker - heralded hisarrival. No sooner on the hall-mat,than storytelling became his master,we, again, the pleasant captives.It was during one of his impromptucalls, just a few years ago, that heannounced he was going into hospital.Only for a short while, he assured.'Don't bother coming in to see me',he cautioned - 'I might only meet yeon the way out'. Everyday liferefuelled his explosive cartridge ofcomedy. As time progressed, Paddy'ssubsequent visits to the MaterialHospital became more frequent.It was with great sadness, we learned,that he had come home for the lasttime. He would tap sharply on ourfront door glass, no more.Paddy Fallon saw first light inCorrigeenroe, Boyle just over eightyyears ago. The eldest of a family of five(one brother, three Sisters), theirholding comprised of a small farm anda Blacksmith's Forge which was runby his father. He attended the localtwo-teacher national school, and leftafter Primary Cert.'They told me not to come backanymore' he amusingly recalled -'I was too bright'. It was hoped thatPaddy, the elder son, would take tothe bellows and the flame. But neitherthe song of the anvil , or the freedomon the North Roscommon fieldscould tame the youthful wanderlustthat bedevilled him!'I left a note and ran away to join theArmy' he always joked. Paddy joinedthe Army in Carrick-on-Shannon, andafterwards served for eight years -42

TREOIRAccordionist Donal de Barra, a ' 'regular player with the LiverpoolCeili Band;John Whelan(aCClorriiolni

Hundreds of phone calls and emailsfrom all corners of the world arebeing made with the purpose ofsecuring a bed in Clonmel this August.The search for a bed in and as closeto Clonmel as possible is now on asthousands plan a trip to the townwhich hosts Fleadh Cheoil nahEireann again this year.The Fleadh Cheoil weekend is the27 th to the 29 th August and will bepreceded by Scoil Eigse, thetraditional school of music, song andlanguage for young people andSeachtain na hEigse.Last year demand for accommodationin Clonmel was massive as the townwelcomed back the Fleadh Cheoil forthe first time since the early ninetieswhen it was held in the town onthree occasions.Beds were booked out as far away asDurrow in County Laois last year andthe people operating theaccommodation office expect thesame again.If anything demand will be evengreater this year with Clonmelexpected to top the quarter of amillion visitors who came in 2003.The accommodation office is nowlocated in the Fleadh Cheoil 2004headquarters in Parnell Street in theformer Suir Nore Relays building.Last year a total of 10,500 bed andbreakfast beds were booked for theFleadh Cheoil visitors in Clonmel andsurrounding towns, one hundred andfifty houses were booked, and all thehotels in Clonmel were booked out.On top of that the accommodationoffice dealt with approximately 1,500people who came on the weekendseeking accommodation. Thoselatecomers were all accommodatedwith houses and beds that becameavailable at the last minute.In the last number of weeks a team ofwomen, including FAs employees andvolunteers have operated the busyphone lines with an increase in interestwith the passing of every week.Contact can be made with theaccommodation office by personallycalling to the premises between 9amand I pm from Monday to Friday, byphone 052 24960 and by email atfleadhoffice@clonmelfleadh.com.The accommodation office want tospeak to householders in the Clonmeland the surrounding area with a viewto securing more houses and beds forthe Fleadh Cheoil visitors.'With all the new estates springing upall over town, there must be houseowners out there who can spare abed, two beds or even a full house tolet out to people visiting the town forthe Fleadh Cheoil: saidaccommodation officer MaureenMcNamara.She appealed to householders tocome forward and present themselvesto the accommodation office inParnell Street.The money on offer is good, around€600 depending on the size andcondition of the house for the week.If householders want any informationbefore deciding to rent out theirhouse for the Fleadh Cheoileverybody in the office will be happyto deal with all inquiries: saidMaureen McNamara.The office is manned by FAsemployees Maureen Prendergast andKathleen Long and volunteers MaryPrenderville and Kathleen McCauleywho were all part of theaccommodation team last year.Comparing demand this year to lastyear Mary Prenderville said that theaccommodation office was busier nowthan it was at the same time last year.'It is busier than it was at this timelast year. I think people are awareof how difficult it was to get suitableaccommodation close to Clonmellast year and they are trying to secureaccommodation earlier this year:she said.38

Brian Prior'50 Bliain de Chomhaltas saChlar' commemorates the GoldenJubilee of Comhaltas in County Clare(Clare County Board was inauguratedin April 1954). This will be reflected inmany of the activities planned for thefestival and will involve some of theperformers and activists from thoseearly days who we are fortunateenough to still have with us. Theoutreach programme, planned forSunday, 23 rd May, will take place in oneof the North Clare villages (venue tobe confirmed) most associated withthe formative years of Comhaltas inthe County, and will consist ofperformances and sessions by leadingmusicians in the area.The 2004 action-packed Fleadh runsfrom Saturday, 22nd to Monday, 31 stMay and the advance programmeoverleaf gives a flavour of what's onoffer and proves once again thatthere's something to suit all traditionaltastes. Additional details on some onsome events are outlined below.Free Lunchtime ConcertsLast year's concerts in the CountyMuseum featuring performers such asSiobhan Peoples, Martin Connolly,Chris Droney and many other topClare musicians proved highlysuccessful and these will be continuedbetween 1.00 and 2.00pm each dayfrom Monday to Thursday inclusive.Foinn Seisiun WorkshopsIntroduced in 2003, these afternoonworkshops, which concentrate onlearning standard session tunes takenfrom the Comhaltas Foinn SeisiunBooks I &2, have been very popular.The Club Fleadh Nua now runs for afull seven nights so that there will beample opportunity for participants inthe workshops to test their sessionplayingskills as the week progresses!Jubilee Teacht Le CheileThis event, planned to take place inCois na hAbhna on Tuesday, 25 th May,will include many of the peopleassociated with the formation ofComhaltas in County Clare back inthe early fifties. It promises to be anight of great nostalgia and first ratetraditional entertainment.Munster Pipe Band CompetitionsFor the first time ever thesecompetitions will be run inconjunction with Fleadh Nua onSunday, 30 th May. Up to 20 bandsnormally take part in thecompetitions and all these will paradethrough the streets of Ennis as part ofthe Fleadh Nua Cultural Parade.Seisiun an tSamhraidhSeisiun an tSamhraidh (featuringgroups from the highly entertaining2003 Summer Seisiun scheme)returns to Fleadh Nua which alsohosts the launch of Seisiun 2004 onSunday, 30 th May. The groups ofmusicians, singers and dancers bring afurther dimension of colour andspectacle to the Fleadh and inparticular the Cultural Parade.Cultural Parade/Seisiun MarFollOWing the street entertainment andparade of pipe bands and othermarching groups, a Seisiun M6r willtake place in the Abbey Street CarPark. This year's highlight will be Clare'sown Ennis Ceilf Band, now holders ofthree consecutive All-Ireland titles,who will entertain the crowds and getthe set dancers to their feet!36

TREOIR'We have to be wise as the childrenof this generation and yet remainchildren of light'world changing with the rapidity ofthe electronic message, are only to befound in those elements of culturewhich have the character of durabilityand universal sense.The Irish cultural tradition hasprovided for Irish people throughouttheir history, at one and the sametime, a reliable spiritual resource anda wellspring of meaning. Ourancestors drew strength andendurance from a cultural deposit laiddown over the centuries and formingthe mainstay and lodestone of theiridentity as a distinctive people. Thattradition has withstood the assault ofthe colonizer, attempting to erasethose specific properties of a people'shistory and culture which informtheir cohesiveness as a group on theone hand, and the protagonists of socalledhigh culture on the other,whose criteria for the inclusion ofanything under the heading of artwere constructed out of theexperience of a wealthy and powerfulminority. The best that has beenthought and said does not resideexcluSively on one dimension ofartistic expression.Now, our Irish traditions are faced bytheir greatest challenge to date - theinfluences deriving from a mass cultureof consumerism and its agents in themedia and advertiSing industries. Thetraditional arts of Irish culture are notabstract, static entities, objective andfreestanding, untouched by the livedreality of their practitioners or othermanifestations of cultural expression.The traditional arts are expressive ofa living culture, a tradition, which ismoving and dynamiC, forever subjectto review and renewal, interpretationand stylistic addition. These emergefrom the contemporary experience ofthe Irish people, wherever they are tobe found in the world. Without losingcontinuity with what has gone before,the tradition gathers into itself thepresent and its effects, is shaped andre-shaped, moulded and designed againthrough the historical experience ofpeople living today. The traditioncannot but be affected bycontemporary experience, that is whya great institution like Comhaltas hasto be more than simply a guardian ofthe cultural deposit received from thepast, it must renew itself in re-engagingand dynamically so, with the wider,broader cultural matrix which in themodern world is now an interactiveand mutli-faceted dimension.If we believe that our identity as Irishpeople is mediated through ourcultural lives, then we have to takeaccount of the living context withinwhich that experience is undergone.It is not what it was 50 years agowhen Comhaltas was founded. That iswhy we have to adapt to thechallenges of the new social,economic, political and culturalworlds with which we all live andhave our being. That will meanbeginning the difficult work ofdevelopment and transformationleading to a much effective presencein the world than our present, well-used procedures allow.Comhaltas through the 'Meitheal'initiative has set about this task with34

TREOIRComhaltasLiveThe very best in IrishTraditional Music and Songon the webFeaturing:CD Established artistsCD Concert ToursCD All Ireland FleadhannaCD Rare Archive footageCD Quality SessionsCD Talented younger musiciansCD Programme can bedownloaded to watch againand againCD Includes interactive featuresand much more!VISIT www.comhaltaslive.ie TODA Yll 1A window on the trad world via yourcomputer32

TREOIRMurchadhna dT6iteanSean Ua CearnaighCaiseal na Ri:Ceannaras nahEoghanachta.Rinne Murchadhna dT6iteanleirscrios anseosa bhliain 1647Cerbh e an duine be ghranna riamh istair na hEireann? Diarmuid na nGall,Leonard McNally, Castlereagh,Norbury? Dadlier agus Keogh, b'fheidir?Is cinnte gur thuill gach duine denseisear ud fuath agus grainghnathphobal na hEireann.Ach bhiduine amhain a bhi chun tosaigh orthuuile 6 thaobh droch-iompar de. Ceeile ach Murchadh 6 Briain, TiarnaInse Chuinn, an te ar ar tugadhMurchadh na dT 6itean.Nior lu le Muimhnigh na 17u haoiseCromaill n6 sean-Iead na gcrub feinna Murchadh mallaithe na dT 6itean.Diabhal as ifreann a bhi ann, bruidagus tioranach den chineal be mheasa.D'fhag se rian a laimhe - agusb'uafasach an marc e - in iomai ait saDeisceart ach, go hairithe, i gCaisealMumhan. Nil insint ar an ar a rinne sear an mbaile ud. Sa chontae inart6gadh me fein bhi an oiread sandroch-chlu ar Mhurchadh granna gondeachaigh a ainm isteach i nathcainte a usaidtear go f6ill i meascphobal an chontae ud.I 1614 a rugadh e. Bhain se le clanncheimiuil Ghaelach (muintir UiBhriain) de chuid an Chlair. Ni raibhMurchadh Gaelach na ceimiuil fein,ach bhi se thar a bheith uaillmhianach.Tar eis d6 tamall a chaitheamh iseirbhis na Spainne, d'iompaigh se gohiomlan ar thaobh na Sasanach. D'fhillse ar Eirinn i 1639 agus ceapadh emar Leas Uachtaran na Mumhan anbhliain dar gcionn. Ph6s se inion leUilliam St. Leger, Uachtaran naMumhan. Nuair a d'eag St. Leger in1642 ceapadh Murchadh marGhobharn6ir. Idir an da linn bhi se ind iaidh pairt a ghlacadh in eadan nanGael in Eiri Amach 1641 .Ghniomhaigh se ar son Ri Shasana arfeadh tamaill, ach dealraionn se goraibh le aige (ar mhaithe leis fein , arnd6igh) le Cromaill agus lucht naParlaiminte.D'iompaigh se ar thaobh an dreamasan, gur ceapadh e mar Uachtaran naMumhan.I 1644 d'ionsaigh se na Caitlicigh igcathair Chorcai, i gCeann tSaile agusin Eochaill gur bhuaigh se go tromorthu. Nior thaispeain se trua na taised6ibh siud a threascair se.Bhi an leirscrios a rinne se i gCaisealMumhan sa bhliain 1647 ar na beartaba bharbartha a rinneadh riamh. I dtusbaire mharaigh se fein agus andaoscarshlua a bhi leis na ceadtadaoine in a thithe fein n6 ar nasraideanna. D'ionsaigh se an charraigarsa ina dhiaidh sin, gur dh6igh se andun a bhi ag lucht a chosanta. Rinnese slad ar gach chreatuir bocht a chasina eadan - mharaigh se idir chleiragus tuata gan trua gan tr6caire.Ach nior leor san chun a fhlosc chunfola a shasamh. Bhi na ceadta daoinebochta istigh san Ardeaglais agus suilacu go dtiocfaidis slan. Chuir Murchadhan tArdeaglais tri thine agus d6igheadhda raibh istigh ann. San iomlan chuirMurchadh agus a chuid murdar6iri suasle 3,000 ar fad chun bais.Orthu siud a maraiodh an la sin bhiRisteard de Barra, Prioir Ord nanDoiminiceanach ar an mbaile. SagartDoiminiceanach de chuid Chaisil athainig slan na an file iomraiteach,Padraigin Haicead.An bhliain dar gcionn (agus is deacaira ra cen chineal cluiche a bhi a imirtaige) rinne Murchadh siochain le luchtna Comhdhala, go ndeachaigh se igcomhar leis an Tiarna Urmhumhan,crann taca an ri.Nuair a thainig Cromaill go hEirinnrith se le Murchadh gurbh fhearr rithmaith na droch-sheasamh. Chuaigh seanonn chuig an mBriotain, gur rinnese teagmhail le Searlas (mac an duinea bhi curtha chun bais ag Cromaill), araibh se i ndan d6 teacht i gcumhachtmar ri ar Shasana ocht mbliana inadhiaidh san.De thoradh thionchar Shearlais, fuairse aitheantas agus gradam 6 rialt6irina Fraince agus ceapadh e marGhobharn6ir ar Chatalonia.D'iompaigh se ina Chaitliceach i 1654(ar chuiseanna nar bhain in aon chor lecursai creidimh n6 coinsiasa, ni folair!).Bhronn Searlas 11 (a ghn6thaigh cor6inShasana in 1658) teideal agus eastatm6r air. Fuair se bas i gCorcaigh 9Mean F6mhair 1674.Tadhg an da thaobh den chineal beshliocai ar fad ab ea Murchadh 6Briain, cead larla Inse Chuinn. Agustioranach gan trua! Nior mhaith Gaeilna Mumhan a dhroch-ghniomharthariamh d6. Muintir Thiobraid Arannach go hairithe! Is cuid de shean-nathcoitianta a ainm sa chontae. Maleagann duine i dTiobraid Arann suil,abair, ar rud scanruil n6 ma theann sen6 si tri ghuais n6 eachtra uafasacheigin, deirtear go bhfaca se n6 siMurchadh.Ar an gcaoi cheanna, ma bhuailtear godona tinn e n6 ma fhulangionn seanr6 n6 ma leagtar lamh trom ar bithair, ta se i ndiaidh Murchadh afheiceail. N'fheadar an bhfuil an nathcainte in aon ait eile sa tir - ach ta sear barr a dteangacha ag muintirThiobraid Arann i gc6nai.30

TREOIRAisling GhealThis song has been recorded in recent years by such fine singers as larla aLionaird, Oiarmuid a Suilleabhain (RIP) and (most recently) by Oiarmuid's sisterEilis - all from the historic Gaeltacht area of Cui I Aodha. The words and music ofAisling Gheal were taken down by the song-collector Martin J. Freeman, whospent several months during the years 1913 and 1914 collecting songs around Cui IAodha and Baile Mhuirne. Some 84 of these songs were subsequently published, inthree volumes by the Irish Folk Song Society in the years 1920-21.Aisling Ghealwas sung for Freeman by Peg O'Oonoghue of Ballymakeera. By the late '60s it hadbeen almost forgotten in the area, until it was brought to the attention of theyoung generation of singers, firstly by Sean a Riada (RIP) who played the tunemost hauntingly on his last LP 'a Riada's Farewell', and subsequently by Sean's sonPeadar, who propagated both words and music amongst the singing community.A song named 'Aisling an Oigfhir' which has somewhat similar words is to befound in Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy. The tune transcribed is the first verse sungby Oiarmuid a Suilleabhain.~t 4tJ ern1":'\~1 ----./Pj J I ] F (J I F F ".... IAis - ling_ gheal_ do shlad trl m' neall me '8go __.-3~J :b J J TO I j J j. 1 J J,~rabh - asa treigh lag le __ seal im luf, go rabhas4tJ ru1":'\=---]F'r ~ r p J ) :b~"ngleann_ cois abhann im'_ aon __ ar '8go__ rabha -sa 'g aeracht le_P I"'I J J) J~ Ij. j 1 ] [] p I El F P ( F r r I El F" t II,gra mo chrof go raibh _ na cam_ - thai __ Gall_ ag-us Gae_lach is( F ~ F r p I rl,,J J) I J r' Jciao I - te gear - a 'guais - le'nJ ] F1 ,tsaoil ag breith barr - aigh isJaj jra~le '----' __ cei -leJ j Igo raibhr-3 ----,£1 J } Fa 1 IJ J j. 11~ciann an fhaoit a - nois_ le fail ganmhoill.Ba ghearr a shamhail dom gur dhearcas Mary,'Cus gruaig a cinn lei go fear a' fas,A dlaoithe a' teacht mar na realtainnag titim leise go barr a' troigh',Ag scuabadh an druchta de bharr an fheir ghlais'5 is lufar eadrom mar do shiuladh si,A dha chfoch chruinne ar a hucht go neata,A grua mar chaortha, is ba gheal fa pib.Do bheannafos-sa do m' chuid i nCaoluinnIs is modhuil 's is beasach do fhreagair si:'A phlur na bhfear, mo shlad na deinseMar is maighdean me nar thainig d'aoisDha dteadh sa ghreann duinn clann a dheanamh,Is go mbeife~ seantach ins an ghniomh,Cur ghearr 6n mbas me, is go bhfagfainn EireIm gh6ist im aonar bheinn romhat sa tsli.'5 go deimhin fein, '6igbhean, 'a mbail leat me ph6sadhCurb e ba dh6igh liom na beimis bacht'5 gur gearr do dt6gfainn teaghlach nua dhuita bheadh go r6-dheas idir shlinn is clochDo sheinnfinn ceolta go minic sa 16 dhuitAgus imirt ch6ir ar gach chluich' i gceart'5 is fior go bp6gfainn 6 m' chroi mo st6irimAgus bi ar mo thorramh, n6 tabhair dom gean.

TREOIRBatt Henry's Favourite Barndance: 'Batt Henry's Favourite' was recorded in New York in May, 1932 byBarndance two South Sligo fiddlers, Paddy Killoran (1904 - 1965) and Paddy Sweeney (1894- 1974). It was also recorded in more recent times by North Leitrim fiddler, BenLennon and his son, Maurice in 1999, on the CD The Natural Bridge.'~i e (ill E F re j I F J J J I EtU n F I Er [f re (i11 E F re j I~j r J J J I EJ (J EIJ 1) I J J J P I F r F r I F r r r # r r I3~i rrrr FE er I Er rHo re I re F re F I re F rEI tf I TItrr FE rE i~i E re r E1J 11 F re F (cl I r r r U I ill ill ffi ~ W I3 3 3 33 3~I F r r r F r E r I F re re (B: IrE E U I lfr lfr (FE ~ fP I3~I EIJ iD j P I D 11 G 0 G r F r I re (J re re I F FIE E f r F r I3~ # I r r F r f rr r I FeE r re r I re Er re re I re r • E E [r E r I r r r 11Sligo Bay (alsoknown as Pay theReckoning)Jig'Sligo Bay' was recorded in New York in May 1922 by South Sligo fiddler, JamesMorrison (1894 - 1947) and Chicago born uilleann piper, Tom Ennis (1889 - 1931)with piano accompanist, John Muller who was born in America of German parentage.It can be found in Breathnach's Ceol Rince na hEireann, Uimhir I under the title 'Paythe Reckoning' at number 19. It was also recorded in 1994 by renowned fiddler,Antoin MacGabhann on his CD 'Ar Aon Bhuille' under the same title.~I B j P Etf I ill EU I j P Etf I ID lJ] I j ~ Etf I ill ~ I~I EO E!J I ID DJ :11 F f F E Er I rr r Ca I r rE F cri~i f E TI tu I r f r E F FIE r r cd I tu E!J I ID DJ :11

TREOIRNi Churtain, Co. LuimnighHowever, that way of life has changeddramatically and students must nowsource songs in other ways.Organised classes, publications,recorded material on tape and CDseems to be the alternative methodsin which to learn the art. Sean-n6scan only be accurately and effectivelylearned by ear. An understanding ofthe story-line and text, together witha knowledge of the historicalbackground and lore, will add greatlyto the eventual performance of thesongs. Listening to a wide range andvariety of traditional singers willobviously benefit singers in developinga personal style.The following sources may be of helpto singers wishing to learn the art ofsinging in a traditional style.Amhranalocht/TraditionalSinging: ResourcesI Recordings made by CCEComhaltas Ceolt6irf Eireann,Culturlann na hEireann,Belgrave Square,Monkstown, Co Dublin .Phone: 01/2800295. Fax: 0 I 12803759,e-mail: enquiries@comhaltas.comMaterial also available includes:• 'Traditional Songs and Singers' -book and tape.• 'Popular Traditional Songs' - bookand tape.'A Bar of a Song' - book and tape.• 'Amhrain Rithimiula' - words andtape (rhythmic songs in Englishagus i nGaeilge).I Some samples of commercialrecordings on tape and CD:Munster• Nioclas T 6ibin (Gael Linn).Anne Mulqueen (a) 'Kerry's 25 th "(b) Mo Ghrasa Thall na Deise','Briseann an Duchas'• Aine Ni Cheallaigh 'Idir DhaChomhairle'• Seosaimhin Ni Bheaglaioch 'Taobhna Greine'.• Philip Enright 'Come Home toAbbeyfeale' (from Philip orDomhnall de Barra)• Eibhlfn Ni Churtiin - Selections ontape recorded with John Larkin• Diarmuid 0 Suilleabhain 'Bruach naCarraige Baine'• Robbie McMahon 'Spancil Hill'• Maire Ni Cheilleachair 'Guth ar Fan'• Mix from RTE; 'Amhrain ar anSean-N6s'• Finola Ni Shiochru'Searc mo Chleibh'• Eibhlfs Ni Shuilleabhain'Cois Abhann na Sead'• Eibhlfn Ni Bheaglafoch.Connemara• Seosamh 0 hEanaf - severalrecordings incl. '0 Mo Dhuchas'• Sean Mac Donnacha• Maire Nic Dhonnachadha• Sarah & N6ra GrealishDarach 0 Cathain• Several recordings issued by'CI6 lar-Chonnachta Teo.,'• 'GI6r Mhaigheo' CI6 larChonnachta.Ulster• 'R6ise na nAmhran' RTE -Arranmore Co Donegal.• Aoife Ni Fhearraigh• Lilis 0 Laoire 'Blath Gach Deagda dTig'• 'Seoda Sean-N6s as Tir Chonaill'CI6 lar-Chonnachta.• Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill'Gan Phingin Spre'• Mairead & Trfona Ni Dhomhnaill'Idir an Da Sholas'• Paddy Tunney'Where the Linnet Sings'• Padraigin Ni Uallachain'An Dara Craiceann'• Gear6idin Breathnach'Ar Fhoscadh na gCnoc'.'Amhrain ar an Sean-N6s from RTE;incl songs from Dun na nGall,Maigheo, Connemara, Ciarrai,Corcaigh, Na Deise agus Rath Cairn.28

TREOIRbelieved her to be a witch. Oncewhen four heifers were stolen from anearby Killeaney farmer her serviceswere requested in tracking themdown. She arrived at the house,believed to be Moikeen Culhane'sone evening and after getting all thedetails of the animals she sat by thefireside and apparently went into adeep trance. Shortly afterwards, tothe shocking dismay of theparcels of beef dropped fromthese in thecame from allher sufferingshe cured bythe affectedwhich he was to das long as it lasted.weeks he was cured.Such stories mirror the livesordinary people of a time nowin a unique manner, and withoutthem, a treasure house of socialhistory is lost forever.- F1eadh Cheoil Luimnigh Programme26

TREOIRLabhras 6 Murchu would remark inthe commemorative programme forthat year 'It is gratifying to know thatSligo have not forgotten John Joe orhis monumental musical reputationand that his memory iscommemorated along with the othermusical notables of this great county'.That weekend held vivid memoriesfor Sean - the warmth of the Sligowelcome and how his presence andjourney from Toledo USA wasappreciated so much.That Saturday night concert in thepacked Riverstown hall wasunforgettable. Never before or sincehad so many Gardiners playedtogether on the one stage - fiddles,flutes, accordions, piano, drums, - 23in all. What better tune to start withA symposium on the life and times ofJohn Joe was held the following dayand any blank spaces the exiled sonhad missed out on, were wellrecounted by those present, ablyhelped by Mick O 'Connor and HarryBradshaw.A great occasion endedwith a Set dance/Ceili with the FodhlaCeili Band, joined at this point byKathleen Harrington's family.One of Sean and Maria's lastmemorable visits home was in 1995.With a troupe of student cadets andsome parents he had organised thattrip to coincide with the St Patrick'sDay parade. Arriving on Tuesday 14 itwas soon apparent that he was goingto show them as much of the 'auldsod' as he could fit into a twenty fivehour schedule (wake up call 5.30am)The Fodhla Ceili BandA younger generation of enthusiasts,musicians and loyal friends under thegUidance of Paraic Kerins, MartinEnright, Zita Deignan, Des Collis, TomRoddy and Seamus Mc Cormickwould ensure that it would be aweekend to remember.than the 'Pigeon on the Gate' (andthere wasn't a feather left on it) -memories of 1972 when John Joe was78 years young did likewise on somany American stages during that firstComhaltas tour. Sean whispered 'Ihope we did him proud'- city tours, Avoca, Glendalough,Kilkenny, Abbey Theatre, etc.After the parade Sean and Maria wentoff to the Lord Mayor's Ball while thecadets and parents attended the ceiliin CCE in Monkstown. Billy Boylaninterrupted the ceili for the cadet drillteam and they did not disappoint.Their twenty minute display receiveda rapturous response, but nothingcompared to the deafening roar whenSean appeared on the balcony withthe trophy for overall winner and thegroup which created the greatestimpact in the parade - a proudmoment for us all with lastingmemories.Yes - Father and Son had 'left theirfootprints on the sands of time'.2Lf

Ballycastle CCE 1973 - 2003Past and PresentBallycastle CCE has along and distinguished musicalhistory that is being constantly added to and refreshed.As recently as 27 th February 2003, we were the proud recipients of eighthandcrafted flutes from the Northern IrelandArts Council. Renowned flute maker SamMurray from Belfast crafted the flutes. Wewish all those recipients the very best intheir musical journeys on their newinstruments.A special mention to tutor GerryMcGouran who single handedly hasmaintained flute and whistle classes forRecipients of the new flutes along withRobert Boyee, Chair, Jeannie MeGrath andMartin Dowling of the NIACnearly forty children for over three years. This sortof dedication helps make Comhaltas the organisationit is today.Of course these recent developments owe much to thelongevity and passion for the music of the regular sessionGerry MeGouran musicians. For nearly twenty-five years the CCE sessionin full flow has been held in McCarroll's (nowO'Connor's) bar, Ann Street,Ballycastle. The likes of Dominic McNab, LeoBrown, PJ Hill, Laurence McHendry and AlecHiggins (RIP) to name but a few have given air to thetunes and a brilliant opportunity for young up andcoming musicians to play in a session.O'Connor's runs two sessions on a Thursday night: -8.30 - 9.30 Junior Session9.30-/ate Senior sessionDominie MeNab & LeoBrown. Pietures behindcapture 25 years at thesessionThis mix of old and new augurs well for the future of the branch. As thispicture at a recent concert shows,numbers are growing and theenthusiasm is great.For any information about Ballycastle CCEplease contact Robert Boyce at028 207 6846222

TREOIRCeol CorbraiSean 0 hOgainwas drafted and circulated to eachhouse explaining our project. John willbe familiar to many fleadh-goers asthe larger than life figure with thecamcorder (and permit!) recordingfor posterity the music of the fleadh.The Glin branch of ComhaltasCeolt6iri Eireann was founded by thelate Padraig 6 Cearbhaill back in1981 and since that time has beenworking to preserve and promotetraditional music, song and dance inour locality. Classes for young and oldare held and the branch has providedtraditional music and entertainmentat local gatherings and events downthrough the years. We have hostedfour Limerick county fleadhanna andthe Munster Fleadh in 1991 .The idea of having our own place wasfirst mooted by one of our members,John Culhane. Many will know burlyJohn as a regular winner of the AIIIreland lilting competition. Along withthe lilting, he can also whistle and singand come up with troublesome ideasabout 'having our own place!' He reintroducedthe idea at regularintervals until, in 1997, we foundourselves contemplating the oldNational School in Glin as aprospective Teach Ceoil and generalpurpose Community Hall.The school had been originally built in1843 and for the next 120 years, upuntil 1963, served as the nationalschool for Glin town and hinterland.Times must have been harsh back inthose early years, as evinced by thegrim, unsmiling faces which peer outat us from the old faded black andwhite photographs which survive.Even today's past pupils will tell youthat going to school forty, fifty orsixty years ago was a challengingexperience. Still, wherever childrengather, there will be fun and laughterand Padraig 6 Cearbhaill, in his song,which he wrote about his native Glin.'Where Corbry and Shannon Flow'was able to say:'Memory fills the old School groundWith the friends I used to know;I hear them laugh and shout and playWhere Corbry and Shannon flow.'After closing its doors as a nationalschool, the building was used for afew years as a Vocational Trainingcentre, but then fell into totaldisrepair, becoming a terrible eyesorewith windows boarded up, the rooffalling in and vegetation overgrowingeverything. In April 1997 we enquiredinto the possibility of acquiring thebuilding and eventually, in Novemberof that year, secured agreement topurchase it (from the Office of PublicWorks) for £8,000 (€10,158).Seven Trustees, (all Glin Comhaltasmembers) were appointed and thebuilding was transferred to them.Detailed plans had already beenprepared by the versatile chairman ofour branch, Sean 6 hEalaithe andthrough the course of the project heacted as our unofficial liaison officerbetween the building contractor andourselves, spending time on the sitealmost every day during the course ofthe project.Our first task was, of course,fund raising, which began in February1998. The drive and energy of JohnBrown saw a list drawn up of everyhousehold in the parish and a letterMany competitors over the yearshave had occasion to be grateful toJohn for so generously providing themwith permanent memories of theirpersonal moment of achievement.After our letter had been delivered toevery house, Comhaltas membersfollowed up with a second (andsometimes third) visit, explaining ourproject and collecting donations andpledges. There was a marvellousresponse and over 600 individualdonations were received ranging from£ I ,600 down. Exiles from the parishwere also contacted (some as far awayas the United States) and again, a verygenerous response was received. In all,some £50,000 was donated byparishioners, home and away.We were now ready to start work inearnest and we were lucky, during theheight of the building boom, toprocure the services of local buildingcontractor Paddy Reidy. It was animmense help to be able to deal withsomeone we all knew well.At the outset, one of the principalobjectives was to retain, as far aspossible, the original architecturalfeatures of the building, whilst at thesame time providing a modern,spacious, multi-purpose facility. Theend product is a building whichretains the external appearance of anational school built in the 1840's butinside comprises two sections - amain hall measuring 70' by 42'(incorporating an elevated stage) anda smaller room measuring a 44' by 18'with an open cast-iron fireplace(retained from the original building).The building also incorporatesladies/gents toilets, disabled personstoilets, store, shop and fitted kitchen.20

TREOIRIrish Tunes andFriendly FacesFor many music lovers, Celtic se sionshit the right noteScott Alarikis not to strut one's own virtuosity butto form a common ensemble sound.Reynolds's seisiun, long known as thefriendliest in the Boston area, has aspecial 'slow seisiun ' at both theGreen Briar and The Skellig from 7 to9pm, in which standard tunes areplayed at beginner speed.That egalitarian conviviality has madeReynolds's seisiun famous throughoutthe Irish music world. Celticsuperstars such as the group Altan,Seamus Egan of Solas, Joanie Maddenof Cherish the Ladies and fiddlephenom Eileen Ivers have dropped by.Boston's longest running Irish musicseisiun has arrived in Waltham.Started by the Irish culturalorganization, Comhaltas Ceolt6irfEireann, in the Boston area in 1974,the seisiun as it is called in Gaelic hasbeen bringing musicians togetherinformally every Monday at the GreenBriar Restaurant and Pub in Brightonsince 1990.Since The Skellig opened on MoodyStreet last December, the same seisiun.hosted by Waltham's Larry Reynolds.has been jigging 'n' reeling there.'We conduct a friendly seisiun: saidReynolds, 70, chairman of the localbranch of the Comhaltas, which wasfounded in Ireland in 1951 .'Everybody's welcome. no matterwhat you play or how long you'vebeen playing. It's people friendly:The Skellig is sister pub to thepopular Burren Pub in Somerville.Both are owned by Irish musiciansTommy McCarthy and LouiseCostello. and offer live music sevennights a week. In addition to Irishmusic, The Skellig offers a bluegrasssession Monday nights. an old-timeyAmerican session Wednesdays. and aCape Breton session Sundays. Alsolike the Burren. it has a large backroom that hosts weekend concerts ofrootsy American music.The seisiun is an ancient Celtictradition, in which all are invited toplay sets of tunes together. The object'I remember it being one of the greatsessions,' Ivers said from her NewYork home. 'Larry's the man, as far asknowing the tunes and knowing howto bring all the players in:By 9 last Monday night at the GreenBriar, more than 40 players weregathered in a wide circle. bOWing,plucking, puffing, and pattering awayon fiddles, banjos. accordions, flutes.and the bodhran, a round flat Irishdrum. Reynolds's son. Mike, 45,pumped away expertly on hisaccordion, announcing tune changeswith a sway of his back and a staccatoemphasis on transition notes.When Mike Reynolds spotted 21 yearold twin sisters, Julia and Allana Tryderof Lincoln, in the outer circle, wherebeginners sit, he ushered them toseats next to him. They grinnedsheepishly at the honour.The T ryders have been Green Briarregulars since they were 12. 'A goodseislun like this Is a social event: saidAllana Tryder. 'Larry and Mike are sowelcoming, you make greatfriendships here. I can't say enoughabout that:Mike Reynolds asked Meg Kelly ofMilford to put down her bodhran andsing. With growing gusto, she sang a18

TREOIRHarvard Praisesthe Bardof BallinasloeMichael P QuinlinThe scene might have come rightfrom an old Irish saga.On a cold winter's night lastDecember Gaelic scholars and Irishleaders gathered at the Loeb House atHarvard University, in a lavish dininghall seeped in tradition. With fireplaceblazing and chandeliers turned low,forty invited guests sat down to aformal dinner of pheasant and anevening of toasts, stories, laughter anda few tears in honour of local fiddlerand traditional music impresario LarryReynolds and his wife Phyllis.Reynolds was selected to receive theprestigious honour bestowed eachyear by Harvard due to his generousand unflinching devotion to traditionalIrish music in Boston, a devotion thatcovers half a century. He follows inthe footsteps of other prominentmen and women to receive thehonour, including poet SeamusHeaney, politician William M Bulger,former Consul General OrlaO 'Hanrahan and University of UlsterPresident Gerry McKenna.'Larry got two standing ovations duringthe evening, putting him on a par withSeamus Heaney, whom we honouredback in 1997: said Philip C Haughey,chairman of Harvard's Friends of CelticStudies, which hosted the event.The group raises funds to helpgraduate students carry out researchon ancient Gaelic texts.Joining Haughey and the Reynolds atthe soiree was Dr Patrick K Fordhead of Harvard's Celtic department,Tomas 6 Cathasaigh professor ofIrish Studies, and Friends committeemembers Gene Haley, Mary McMillanand Elizabeth Gray.Representing Boston's Irish communitywere Isolde Moylan Consul General ofIreland, David and Pat Burke andRobert Coli ins of the Irish Foundation,Mike and Liz O'Connor and BrianO 'Donovan of the Irish CulturalCentre, and Seamus Connolly head ofthe Gaelic Roots program at BostonCollege. Comhaltas officials BarbaraDavis,jimmy Roche and TomConcannon also attended.Connolly, considered one of Ireland'sfinest fiddlers, praised the work thatReynolds and his family has put intoIrish music over the last fifty years.'I don't know of anyone outside ofIreland who has done more topromote Irish traditional music thanLarry Reynolds: Connolly said. 'Hehas helped scores of young musiciansfresh off the boat, giving them moneyout of his own pocket and settingthem up with gigs. When I first camehere in 1975, he gave me my start.'Connolly also credited Reynolds forhelping to make Comhaltas Ceolt6iriEireann such a vibrant group withchapters all over the US of whichBoston's is among the largest.The Irish government should giveLarry an award for the way he'srepresented Ireland in America. He isone of Ireland's best livingambassadors: Connolly said.That Reynolds is held in such highregard comes as no surprise to anyonewho has lived in the Boston area. Hemoved here from Ballinasloe in 1953,bringing with him the great musicaltraditions of East Galway that othermusicians like Patsy Touhey, the greatpiper from Loughrea brought to Bostonstarting back in the 19th century.Reynolds arrived in Boston at the heightof the Dudley Street era in the Roxburyneighbourhood, when numerous Irishdance halls created a vibrant dancescene that lasted into the early 1960's.He played with Paddy,Johnny and MickCronin from Kerry, Brendan Tonra fromMayo, and a host of American bornplayers like joe Derrane,joe Joyce andJimmy and Sally Kelly. He later formedhis own groups, the Tara Ceili Band andthe Connacht Ceili Band, beforedevoting himself solely to Comhaltasstarting in 1975, when he helped formthe Boston chapter.Ironically, the Harvard awardreminded Reynolds of his early daysin Boston, when he played at severalgatherings of Harvard's Folk DanceSociety. The Irish-Harvard musicconnection had been established byGalway accordion player Tom Senier,who often travelled across theCharles River with fellow musicianslike Dessie O 'Reagan and dancer MikeCummings of Ballygar, Galway.Reynolds played at several of thosegigs, never imagining he would beback at Harvard a full half centurylater, this time as a guest of honour.'I was very proud to be honoured byHarvard as a proponent of Irish music:Reynolds says modestly. 'For me, it's asign that Irish traditional music is nowon a plateau where it belongs.'Harvard's Irish ConnectionsHarvard's connections to the Irishcommunity date back to 1896, when16

TREOIRI was stunned when Labhnis and Unainvited me to write and co-present myfirst Comhaltas tour of NorthAmerica. Destinations were hurled atme: Chicago, NewYork,Toronto,Ottawa, St Paul, St Louis, Denver,Detroit and more. There are placesthat were to adorn my life and theworld of Highways and Byways days,nights and years I shall always cherish.For three weeks I was part of CCE,close-up and triumphant. The best ofIrish traditional talent was about toinvade the US and entertain andgladden the hearts of thousands. Fr PatAherne purduced the show which Icalled 'Where now Caitlin'. 1 actuallywrote three shows and here are someof the casts. Just look! Joe Burke,Seamus Connolly,Tommy McCarthy,Maura Lennon, Celine Hession,Donncha 6 Muineachain, MickeyCarrol, Semaus 6 Dufaigh,AnnMulqueen,Ann Brolly, Siamsa Ceili Band,Paddy Glackin, Gay Mac Eoin, Donal deBarra, Denis Ryan, 'Boss' Gardiner,Eugene Nolan, Seam us Mac Mathuna,Gary Mac Mahon, Deirdre Collis.AIIsuperb performers who thrilled all whocame to see us. Diarmuid 6 Cathainfrom Lixnaw was our first manager. Iremember how, without even glancingin my direction, he sternly exhorted,'No Republican emblem on stageplease: He did his best.My presentation included a shortmonologue 'Bloody Sunday' and 'AMunster final remembered: It includeda sterling poem by Patrick Galvin,'Soldier go home' and a song by PeteKelly, The 30 th of Derry: These werestirring times on stage as hugeaudiences alternately wept and roaredtheir applause. Interactive could welldescribe it. I am forever grateful toComhaltas for a unique experienceand a wonderful opportunity to meetour Kith and Kin.Talking of Kith andKin who can forget Bill McEvoy whosearrangements were splendid. Thenthere were the wonderful times in StLouis when Helen and PJ Gannon lenttheir own distinctive aura and whenPJ's slow air mouth organ awoke latenight echoes.Here, too, we met the monderfulmusical Boyer family and nights passedhappily in coalescing Irish andAmerican music. Comhaltas, both hereand in the Staes, deserves a nations'gratitude for unique and fulfililng times.Ni fheicfear a leitheid ads. Maybe onehad to cross the Atlantic tounderstand and experience the realtreasures of our green and misty isle.'Across the water' was a gentle radioprogramme that brought me closerthan ever before to the wonderfulIrish community in Britain. Here, too, Imet Comhaltas and through themshared the wonderful music andcompanionship unequalled anywhereelse. I will be forgiven if I single outLiverpool and the wonderful TommyWalshe in what was the most beautifulIrish Centre I have ever seen. I oncehad the privilege to present a CCEConcert in London in the Royal AlbertHall. Sir Henry Wood might have beenproud of us. Memories surge. Nights inthe Balloon Tavern with Con Curtinwith the likes of Ned Murphy and PJCrotty, where music andcompanionship flowed like everythingelse. Birmingham brought me close toFr Paddy Sheridan, as indeed, did theIrish Centre in Camden Town. I can'tforget Billy Gleeson down Epsom waywhere I once ran round TottenhamCorner or where Fr Brian Lawlorofficiated at a Gleeson christening andJoe Burke played the music! Leeds,Nottingham,York and Glasgowresonate as I race around the landdear to the hearts of my listeners in'Failt Isteach', the folk in Britain and,indeed the nearset and dearest.John Steinbeck whom I onceinterviewed was accurate and succinctwhen he once referred to the virus ofrestlessness which takes possession ofa man, when 'the road from hereseems broad and sweet: he might havebeen describing me. For 40 years Ihave travelled the wonderful highwaysand byways of Ireland, have raisedsome four million for the disabled andheard the sweetest song attainable thisside of Paradise.Forty years have skipped by, but theshow goes on and 'Failte Isteach' liveand warm drives on my braodcastinglife in song, music, verse and, above allelse, good humour.Comhaltas and I have travelled many amile. Beidh la agus laethanta eile ag naPaoranaigh! Eire beo fos ag Cait NiDhuibhir.And I have miles to gobefore I sleep.Pt

Donncha travelling in style!Donncha 6 DulaingComhaltas Ceolt6irf tireann is aconstant highlight when I look back on40 years of radio. Harcourt Street andKit Hodge's warm welcomes are asnear to my heart as the GPO andHenry Street. These memories thatreflect times when mind and heartwere filled with sounds of music,voices with storied songs, new hopesand long evenings, wonderful companyand the convivial unforgettable worldof my Highways and Byways.I remember a sunny Sunday nearGolden in County Tipperary whenLabhras 6 Murchu, dear friend ofmany a year, brought me to meetEddie Dalton and an afternoon ofballads followed. The eveningconcluded with the late Crfost6ir 6Cearnaigh's flute-playing echoing acrossthe slowair fields of the PremierCounty twilight. Its not difficult to spinacross miles and time to a morningwith wonderful Yellow Bellies, with LeoCarty the Mason's Apron, or PaddyBerry transporting us to the '98 worldof Balllyshannon Lane, to a gentle PeteBates awakening the morning world asthe late John Skehan and myselfsampled spiritual essences!How could you pass the Banner? Youcouldn't! Just roll the credits. First stopis on a June day at Spancil Hill with,who else, Robbie McMahon whobrought me on a musical visit to theparish Church at Clooney and back tothe crossroads when I met youngKieran Hanrahan and his dad the lateJackie. Kieran my nearest friend andcompanion of Saturday night radio wasnot without his banjo! (No mentionthen of Ceili House stardom!) KittyLinnane's flying fingers reach out byKilfenora with Jimmy Ward on banjoand who emerges from a Biddy Earleymist but myoid friend the great DrBill Loughnane on his way from Tulla. IfI were lucky, and I often was, I'd meetPaddy and Joe Ryan and have my tea atFrancie O'Halloran's home in Enniswhere Mary would sing 'An BinnsinLuachra'.Talking ofTulla and beyond,there was always a visit to MrsMargaret Dooley, centenarianconcertina player, where I once metthe Tulla Pipe Band. (Didn't go homefor two days!) and Fr Harry Bohanwho said, 'All Ireland is listening to ustonight.' I made a pre Highways andByways visit to Ennis mid-sisties for 'AMunster Journal.' In a church-likeatmosphere in Brian Hogan's. SeamusMac Mathuna, later to be very famousand always very kind, and JohnnyGalvin from Inagh played tin whistlesto the soulful accompaniment of CarlMcTigue, while later that day VincentTobin of SFADCO brought me to visitJoe Bane in East Clare. I cannot leavethe Banner without mentioning PJMurrihy (most played performer onFailte Isteach!) and our friend the lateMichael Sexton. One night, at least, Isang with the Bannermen.Listowel is always fantastic at FleadhCheoil na hEireann time. I rememberwalking across the square with threegiants of our land. Bryan Mac Mahon,the master, kind and generous writerin our two national languages,introduced me to the young N6raButler who would, later that evening,draw tears with 'Skibbereen', as hisformer pupil and fellow writer John BKeane introduced me to SonnyCanavan; and Pilib 6 Laoire, conductorof C6r Cois Laoi talked of the slow airand whose delicate fingers would latertrace a mournful and lyrical swathe ofnot one but three slow airs. This was aday among days when my dreams weretheir dreams and their world was myworld at the wonderful Fleadh Cheoilna hEireann.12

Jim jTeevan is pictured as hemade '\is speech to acapacity c"1"9Wd at thisspecial anniversary dinnerIThe Stars cameout at BedfordNational photo journalist Roy Bushby looksin as Bedford's Comhaltas came of ageBedford's branch of Comhaltascelebrated in style on Saturday (I I thOct) when, at the Harpur Suite, in thecentre of the town, it put on a lavishreception marking its historical feat of25 years of bringing traditional musicto this part of Bedfordshire.The branch has strong links with thetown taking part in many of itsactivities presenting music, song anddance with world-class performers.The branch is also recognised theBranch chairman John McManus welcomed a verylarge crowd to the 25 th Anniversary dinnercelebrations. He said: 'I would like to take thisopportunity to express my sincere gratitude to thefounding committee who, by their dedication andenthusiasm towards aur traditional music, songand dance, formed the Bedford branch ofComhaltas in 1978'world over for its achievements athome and in Ireland for its talentedoutput in the traditional arts.John McManus - the chairmanreminded all present marking this 25year achievement, just how thebranch came into being back in 1978and of how many young people have- over that time - grown up with thebackground of a strong branch. Johnpointed out all of the people whowere involved in those early days and10

TREOIRLantern on Sunday nights, both inBallyshannon. He had joined up thenwith All-Ireland Champion Accordionplayer Kevin Loughlin from Belleekand Marie O 'Connor on piano fromDonegal town. Visiting musicians werealso welcome to join these sessions.John was always available and willingto play at various charity functions,concerts ete. His love for meetingpeople and playing music was such asto transcend any monetaryconsiderations. He adored the musicand delighted in talking about tunes,their origins and their names. Johnwas a wonderful man to rememberthe names of tunes.His style is difficult to describe andchanged considerably over the years,from Legato to Staccato. This isnoticeable on some of his mostrecent recordings; although somewould argue that even in his youngerdays his bowing had more Northernthan say North Connaught style. Iwould now have to concur with thatobservation. He listened to all of theold 78's recordings from America andwas capable of playing at thatstandard. Coleman's recordsinfluenced a lot of fiddlers throughoutthe country, and they tried to copyhim to the detriment of their ownstyles and wound up in No Man'sLand , as they didn't have thetechnique or ability to realise whatwas happening, not so with John.He also liked the playing of FrankO'Higgins and used to talk about hissilky bowing style.He made a number of Radio Eireannbroadcasts over the years, some inthe studio in Henry St. and more forCeili House from the O'Connell Hall.He also appeared on TV on numerousoccasions.Whilst his health was failing in recenttimes, he continued to play, and in2002 recorded a CD entitled TheLegendary John Gordon'.Material recorded from some of hisbroadcasts is in the possession of hisson Anthony. However this wassubject to interference on MediumWave and does not do him justice.Anthony hopes to round up sufficientmaterial to enable another CD to beput together and possibly reflectmore of the magic of his earlierplaying days.I was very much influenced by hisplaying, as was indeed a much youngerCharlie, whilst our styles would differ,the seeds were sown at an early stageas we followed his playing very closelythen.Before his departure to Scotlandwhen I think he was at his very best, Ican say that few would have the nerveto lift the fiddle after him. The musicjust flowed in a continuous seamlessfashion, and he had moved to thenext phrase before you had time towork out what he was up to in theprevious one. He went through thebars effortlessly. The power of hismusic in full flight is something I shallnever forget. His intonation wasperfect, rolls heard as clear as a bell,he had beautifully shaped hands withfingers dancing on the strings. Thebow trebles were crisp, round andvery distinct and the volume hecreated sounded like three or fourfiddles. I never heard him slip up in atune, no matter how difficult orintricate it might be. He was a totallyrelaxed musician and playing came asnatural to him as breathing.Somebody once remarked that heplayed from the subconscious and Iwould firmly believe that. He wascompletely impervious to any kind ofadulation or praise, which wouldreinforce the previous observation.A gentle and kind man with verymodest tastes, he was never jealousor begrudging and was always in goodhumour. He was quite a mimic, had agreat turn of phrase and was verymuch liked by everybody.On a December day in the cemeteryadjoining St Patrick's Church inBelleek, we laid him to rest and badefarewell to a unique and rare talentthe sort that comes along only oncein a lifetime. It was his wish that nomusic be played at the funeral Massand this was respected.He will be greatly missed by manymany friends and colleagues, but nonemore so than by his wife Eileen, hisfamily and grandchildren.Farewell dear friend and farewell toyet another gallant John Joe.May you rest peacefully.Book of NewCompositions30 Parkhill Drive,Rutherglen,Glasgow G73 2PWJust a brief note to let you knowof a new publication of a book ofmy compositions of music in theTraditional Irish music idiom.The book runs to just over 3dozen tunes, including slow airs,jigs, reels etc, together withmarches, planxties etc. Many of thetunes were featured on my CD'Piping Hot' which came out a yearago. The tunes were composed ona variety of instruments, not justthe pipes, over a period of years!It is being distributed in Ireland byOssian Publications in Cork, inScotland by Highlander Music, Unit7D, Muir of Ord Industrial Estate,Ross-Shire IV6 7UA, and in Englandby Mally Publications, 3 East View,Moorside, Cleckheaton, W. Yorks.BDI96LD- Pat McNultyF lOA F I Diag F FoM R H I8

TREOIRin Kiltyclogher circa 1939/40. Thedancing classes were held in theCourthouse and the music classes inthe National School.These classes were held weekly andwere well attended with greatenthusiasm abounding at the outset. Irecall a starting class of twenty-fiveaspiring fiddlers.John Gordonof Drumcully( 1928-2002)An Appreciation by Ben LennonIf you take the N 16 east from Sligoyou pass through one of the loveliestlandscapes to be found anywhere inIreland. Deep below you is Glencarlake where W B Yeats drewinspiration for his poem The StolenChild'. Above and around you aresteep mountains with Ben Bulben inthe distance. Soon you are inManorhamilton, Co Leitrim whereJames Mo rrison taught beforeemigrating to America. A further 8miles takes you to the picturesquevillage of Kiltyclogher, my home town.It was there I first heard John Gordonplay his fiddle.John was born in the townland ofDrumcully in South West Fermanagh,within a couple of miles ofKiltyclogher and a stone's throw fromLough Mac Nean the setting of CathalBuf Mac Giolla Gunna's famous poem'An Bunain Buf'.His father, John Eddie, was aFermanagh man and a noted fiddleplayer and his mother came from arenowned family of musicians namedMaguire in Glenfarne, Co Leitrim. Sheherself played fiddle and was anauthority on music.John or John Joe as he was calledlocally, showed promise at an earlyage having started playing the fiddle atthe age of six. Gifted, with a good earhe progressed quickly and won firstprize at a Feis in Enniskillen when hewas nine years old. His father diedwhen he was ten and so it was left tohis mother to steer him further alongin his musical career.Sean O 'Donohue, a dancing masterand music teacher from Ballyshannonin Co Donegal started weekly classesOne night a small woman dressed inblack, appeared at the classaccompanied by a young boy of twelve.Mr O 'Donohue invited them in. Shetold him the boy was anxious to learnto play by notation. The teacher thenasked the boy to play a tune and heobliged. The teacher was astoundedand said to his mother, 'there is nothingI can teach this boy, he is a genius', towhich his mother replied, 'well you seehe plays only by ear and he would loveto learn all about notation'. 'Very wellthen' said Mr O'Donohue, 'let him jointhe class'.From memory I think John came backfor about three of four lessons, buthad difficulty with the slower progressof the others in the class, he being soadvanced. He obviously felt it was awaste of time.As it turned out hedidn't need to read music, as his earwas so keen he could play in manykeys, fully in tune.My next memory is of one night inKiltyclogher, just after Christmas,when John played with the localmummers as they toured the town.Afterwards John took out his fiddleand played for some time. Localmusicians who quickly gatheredaround were astonished at this 14year old, especially with his renderingof Lord Gordon's Reel.It was wartime then and a lot ofrestrictions were imposed including aban on emigration. There were manyyoung people around and music wasplayed in the local houses. Johnbecame a regular visitor to our houseand would play for two or threehours, especially when my mother6

TREOIRMusic at tEarle Hitchner, Ceol(Excerpt from f 11 review)Maybe the green dye theythe river flowing throughSt Patrick's Day hasthroughout theHow else can

TREOIRA Tribute toTony FinneganTony Finnegan, Uachtaran an Chomhaltais, (3rd from left) with his wife Ann at Fleadh 2003, the Mayor ofClonmel Alderman Phil Prendergast and Fleadh chairman Peter McAuleyTony Finnegan's sudden death inDecember occasioned intense grief inhis native Meath and throughoutComhaltas. Tony was a worthyPresident of the organisation becausehe personified the values which havemade Comhaltas into a nationalmovement, capable of creativelymoulding the cultural identity ofIreland. With the loving support of hiswife Ann and of his family, Tony servedComhaltas at national, provincial andcounty levels, as well as on missionsabroad, and always with distinction.Tony's strength sprang from his firmroots in his local community. AlongsideAnn, herself a brilliant organiser, Tonywas a founder member of theO 'Carolan Harp, Cultural andHeritage Festival in Nobber in 1988,the 250th anniversary of O 'Carolan'sdeath.As Chairman,Tony's flair andsure judgement led him to stage majorIrish music acts in Nobber, a daringrisk in a small venue. He relished thechallenge, and year after year, at majorconcerts, many of the greatestexponents of Irish music performed atthe Festival, in O'Carolan's birthplace.The Festival's renown spread abroadand soon musicians from overseaswere being welcomed by Tony inNobber: from Europe, North America,Australia, even from China.From the outset, Tony grasped thecultural potential of the Festival forthe region. The magnetic appeal of themusic generated enthusiasm andenergy which could be harnessed forthe enrichment of the community. Tohelp enhance possession of theheritage, Tony initiated lectures andworkshops on regional archaeology,history, music, architecture, folklore,bilingual poetry and on thesignificance and legacy ofTurloughO 'Carolan.Articles and publicationssoon followed. Classes in Irish andhistorical tours of the area weresponsored. Local talent wasencouraged, as musicians, singers,dancers, artists, craft workers andphotographers exhibited their skills.A striking innovation was thefoundation of the Meath Harp School.Tony was proud of the splendid workwhich Ann did in developing thisflourishing institution. The HarpSchool, in conjunction with Cairde naCruite, provides expert tuition toyoung musicians from Co. Meath andbeyond. Tony viewed it as a fittingtribute to the genius of O'Carolanwhose music had brightened thegloom of Ireland in the dark era ofthe penal laws. Young performersfrom the Meath Harp School weresoon taking All-Ireland titles. PresidentMc Aleese welcomed them to Aras anUachtarain. Tony's daughter, Dearbhail,a graduate of the School, is now anestablished profeSSional harpist whohas played in the British House ofCommons and for President Clintonin The White House.Tony's unfailing enthusiasm, nurturedby Ann, and his deep personal warmthmade him a natural exponent of theage-old Irish custom of the 'meitheal',when neighbours would combine insolidarity to undertake a project. I didnot grasp this when I first workedwith him, and I would be quite uneasyabout his laid-back approach before adaunting event, like a major concert.As my heart-rate rose, Tony wouldchat away affably about points ofhistory, or tradition, or placenames.And then, casually, like a magiciandrawing back a curtain, he would openthe show.AII would fall into perfectplace, because unseen squads of coworkershad rallied to the cause inwarm support ofTony. It was magical.In fact, at grassroots parish level, Tonywas a gifted embodiment of the2

CEOL NA NGAELIRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC DIARY 2004APRIL11/1215/181823/2524/25252525Roscommon FleadhGranard Traditional Harp FestivalLondon FleadhCarlow FleadhLeitrim FleadhMidland Region Fleadh (UK)Wicklow FleadhScottish FleadhStrokestownGranard, Co. LongfordHarringey Irish CentreLeighlinbridge Floral VillageDrumsnaPrincethorpe CollegeArklowCoatbridgeMAY7/97/97/97/98/914/161516161614/161614/162321/2322/2324/31Offaly FleadhDonegal FleadhMayo FleadhCork FleadhDublin FleadhTipperary FleadhMid West FleadhLouth FleadhNorthern Region Fleadh (UK)Wexford FleadhGalway FleadhKildare FleadhMeath FleadhWaterford FleadhAntrim FleadhKilkenny FleadhFleadh NuaKilcormacGortahorkBaile Ui Fhiachain (Newport)FermoyDe La Salle College, ChurchtownCappawhiteFort Thomas (Cincinnati Area)DundalkLevenshulmeGoreyCastleblakeneyLeixlipEnfieldBallyduff UpperBallycastleKellsEnnis, Co. ClareJUNE5/64/6554/54/65/74/66131111318/2018/2018/2019/2025/2726/27Longford FleadhLimerick FleadhMid Atlantic FleadhMonaghan FleadhArmagh FleadhDerry FleadhCavan FleadhSligo FleadhLaois FleadhWestmeath FleadhFermanagh FleadhClare FleadhKerry FleadhTyrone FleadhDown FleadhFleadh Amhran & RinceAll Britain FleadhEdgeworthstownGlinNew York (Pearl River High School)ScotstownPortmoreBallinascreenKilleshandraRiverstownMountmellickCastlepollardRosleaEnnisKenmareDun Uladh, OmaghHilltownCastlewellan, Co. DownLeicesterJULY2/49/1116/181623/2522/25Connacht FleadhLeinster FleadhMunster FleadhScoil Fonn & AmhranUlster FleadhCrossroads WeekendBallinasloe, Co. GalwayGraignamanagh, Co. KilkennyRoscrea, Co. TipperaryRoscrea, Co. TipperaryWarrenpoint, Co. DownClarecastle, Co. ClareAUGUST22/2727/29Scoil EigseFleadh Cheoil na hEireannClonmel, Co. TipperaryClonmel, Co. TipperarySEPTEMBER9/11Tionol Leo RowsomeCulturlann

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