Mullingar – where it all began!
It happened, that in January 1951, representatives of the Thomas Street (Dublin) Pipers’ Club went to Mullingar for a meeting with traditional music enthusiasts from County Westmeath, i.e. Cáit Uí Mhuimhneacháin, Willie Reynolds and Jim Seery, among others. Two ideas which had already been mentioned amongst traditional musicians were discussed at this meeting; the first was the founding of an organisation to promote Irish traditional music while the second was the organising of an annual festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance.
The very first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
A further meeting was held in February ‘51, and at this meeting it was decided that, in conjunction with Feis Lár na hÉireann (a Gaelic League Feis which had been held in Mullingar for many years), a Fleadh Cheoil would be organised in Mullingar Town in May over the Whit weekend. The aim of the Fleadh being to promote traditional music and to arrest the decline in its popularity. The cream of traditional Irish musicians attending the Fleadh played a major role in furthering its aim.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is founded
On October 14th, 1951, at Árus Ceannt, Thomas Street, Dublin, the first standing Committee of Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann was elected. At a meeting in St. Mary’s Hall, Mullingar on January 6th, 1952, the title of the organisation was changed from Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
From this point on, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann grew from strength to strength to become a great annual National Festival attended by traditional musicians, singers, and dancers from all parts of Ireland and overseas.
courtesy of https://arasanmhuilinn.ie/about-us/history/
Comhaltas in Leitrim
Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht was held in Carrick on Shannon in 1962 and it was the first Connacht Fleadh to be held. Before that national Fleadhanna had been held in Swinford in 1959 and in Boyle in 1960 with no provincial qualifying competitions.
It was a busy fleadh…
Competitors
As well as the pageantry and “record crowds”, there were plenty of competitors – and some familiar names that appeared in the original programme
Many successful Fleadhanna have been held in Leitrim over the years.
Fleadhfest
And in 2021, when covid put paid to actual Fleadhanna there was no stopping the music. Every county produced a series of four programmes which showcased their counties and their music.
Fleadhfest Liatroma can be viewed here
Leitrim Comhaltas in 2024 is comprised of four vibrant branches; Glenfarne CCÉ, Drumsna CCÉ, Ballinamore CCÉ and Drumshanbo CCÉ.
Glenfarne CCÉ are Leitrim’s only North Leitrim branch and they cater for many young students in providing lessons in tin whistle, accordion, fiddle, keyboard and guitar in The Rainbow Ballroom. These classes, which were first established by Dinny Leonard from Brookeborough nearly 40 years ago, continue to thrive with young people taking part in various events such as Fleadh Cheoil, Scór, parades, céilís, sessions and concerts throughout the year.
One of Glenfarne CCÉ’s founder members and dedicated promoter and supporter, was former chairperson of Leitrim CCÉ, Gerry Finneran who sadly passed away in 2023. Most recently Glenfarne CCÉ hosted Fleadh Cheoil Liatroma for the second year running, as a tribute to Gerry, who gave so much to his community and to Comhaltas. This year’s Fleadh Cheoil was a huge success and was a very fitting tribute to Gerry whose legacy will live on in the music, song and dance for years to come.
The Drumsna Branch of CCÉ was founded in 1978 by the late Thomas James McLoughlin. Weekly sessions were held prior to the meetings and sometimes as many as 20 musicians were present.
Today, Drumsna Comhaltas branch committee members are all practising artists whose interest lies in the promotion of traditional music, song, dance and culture in the area. They provide “Carrick Trad” music classes in Gaelscoil Liatroma and in Liam Cryan’s music room, Carrick-on-Shannon where people of all ages can avail of lessons in a variety of instruments as well as traditional singing. They have also collaborated with other artists in conjunction with Leitrim County Council and Creative Ireland to broaden their scope and engage their students and tutors in projects that allow them to think creatively about their music and our culture. The “Drumsna Prinkum” saw traditional artists being paired up with mixed genre artists and culminated in an interesting and entertaining showcase of talent. They host workshops as part of Cruinniú na nÓg which will allow their beginner students explore and be creative with traditional music, song and dance.
McLoughlin’s of Drumsna for years hosted the infamous “Butcher’s sessions” and there was always a strong tradition of music, song and dance in the area. In a bid to harness the talent that is still there and foster confidence, Drumsna CCÉ host the “Quay of D” sessions in Drumsna Community Resource Centre which allows musicians of all ages and abilities to come together and learn sets of tunes to play together at sessions. Many Drumsna CCÉ members have had great success in Fleadh Cheoil competitions and the branch are very proud of them and are equally as proud of those who continue to celebrate our culture through playing, enjoying, passing on, volunteering and assisting with various events that allow the tradition to continue and remain strong in the area.
Ballinamore CCÉ is a thriving branch and indeed they were the most recent Leitrim branch to host Connacht Fleadh which was a huge success. The branch host many regular music sessions, including a monthly session for both beginners and advanced musicians which takes place in the newly renovated Island Theatre on the third Sunday of every month which features a guest musician each time to lead the session. The Reynolds family also host a regular Sunday evening session in Shortt’s Heritage Bar.
Their Irish Language Officer, Seán Ó Súilleabháin is very active in promoting the Irish language in the area and hosts a weekly “Ciorcal Comhrá” in the county library in Ballinamore. Other music classes are also held regularly and the branch has many great musicians who have progressed through the ranks of Fleadh Cheoil competitions to pick up prizes at All-Ireland level. Branch members are also to the fore when it comes to volunteering to help at or to organise various musical events which promote traditional music, song and dance.
The branch was formed in Drumshanbo on the 11th November 1957, 67 yrs ago. A wonderful man by the name of Joseph Mooney called the meeting. The committee elected were chairman Tim Mannion Convent Ave, Joint hon sec M McManus, Blackrock & Lilly Mc Girl, Derrintonney, Treasurer John Flood. It is fitting that the Joe Mooney Summer School is called after the man who was so passionate about Drumshanbo.
The summer school offers music lovers of all ages and skills an opportunity to immerse themselves in a week-long event featuring workshops, concerts, and sessions. It fosters a sense of camaraderie among musicians. The current committee are equally as enthusiastic about preserving and promoting the rich history of music, song and dance that Drumshanbo has held over the years.
Many of the members have been successful at Fleadhanna in County, Provisional and All Ireland level. Many also continue to play in sessions, concerts and at festivals. They also teach and adjudicate and are willing to help in organising any musical activities. The branch holds a number of youth sessions throughout the year and every Friday evening Conway’s host an adult music session.
In February 2024 they hosted their 16th Annual Packie Duignan weekend and had a huge turnout of musicians and listeners from all corners of Ireland. The opening session was held in Conway’s on Friday evening. On Saturday the Traditional Gathering was held in Monica’s pub with open sessions throughout the other pubs. On Sunday the ever-popular all-day session, with traditional Leitrim boxty served, was held in Henry’s Haven.
If you want to tune in to many great recordings of Leitrim musicians at Fleadhanna over the years, check out Comhaltas Live
