2006 Comhaltas Weekend In Chicago April 20-23, 2006 Mike and Kell Chole,  co-Chairs.

 

 

 

In April, Comhaltas members from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England and beyond gathered for four days (and nights!) of music and dancing.  The Province’s annual convention was hosted this year in Chicago by the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club, a branch of Comhaltas.  The convention co-chairs, Kell and Mike Chole from the Murphy Roche branch, said it was “heartening and exhilarating”  to see hundreds of Comhaltas members enjoying traditional music and dance together, enabled by a small group of hearty volunteers. 

 

Set dancing and ceili dancing led by Ireland’s Pat Murphy and Chicago’s Ed Heffernan;  sessions around the clock; workshops with faculty like Paddy Ryan, Seamus Brogan and John Williams;   regional and Provincial meetings;  a formal banquet MC’d by John Griffin (executive director of Chicago Gaelic Park);  a solo before the banquet by teen Kara Scheer, followed by national anthem solos by Maura Carr, Cathryn Cowell and her father Greg;  a major speech by Director General of Comhaltas, Labhrás Ó Mhurchú,; concerts by Kell and Mike Choles’s students from the Murphy Roche School of Irish Music and Noel Rice’s students from the Academy of Irish Music;  a tribute to Edmond Murphy by fiddler Glen Pekin;  a tribute to Pat Roche by dancers Rory Chole and Dell Elder – all of this plus meeting new and old friends made the weekend special.   Behind the scenes, Murphy Roche finance co-chairs Dave and Ann Falcon, hospitality chair Kathy Scheer, dance workshop co-chairs Mike and Patrice Macken, and dance co-chairs  Tony McLaughlin and Margaret Mount all kept things happening.

 

Enthused comments from Comhaltas members after returning home attest to how thoroughly they enjoyed the convention.   Brian Mostyn (Ireland) wrote to registration chair Cheryl Martin, “Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed the Convention and to congratulate you and the committee on your efforts. I haven't enjoyed anything so much for a long time. It was one of those occasions you'd wish would never end. I don't believe I have ever played so much music in such a condensed period.”

 

Eamonn O’Loghlin (Toronto) wrote in Irish Examiner USA:  “The fiddles, pipes, accordions, banjos and pianos have now all gone quiet. Even these inanimate instruments that bring so much joy need a rest almost as much as their maestros. After four days and nights “ag deanamh ceol go maidin”, it was time to pack the bags and head back to the various corners of the globe that the Irish Diaspora inhabit.”

 

“Chicago’s keepers of the keys for this magnificent showcase of Irish culture, the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club, under the able leadership of Mike and Kelly Chole, were not found wanting. Edmund Murphy and Pat Roche would indeed have been proud.

The weekend schedule of workshops, lectures, ceilis, recitals and countless sessions was woven together to allow the participants to experience to the maximum this thoughtfully produced smorgasbord of Irish culture. One could conceivably suggest Irish culture overload here, however, this writer did not see anyone complaining.”

 

“At times it can feel pretty daunting to be in the musical company of such icons as Liz, Carroll, Ena O’Brien, John Williams, John Daly, Dennis Cahill, Sheila Doorley ……. need I go on? These great musicians have never forgotten that one time they too were novices so they welcome with open arms any aspiring musician into their company. This indeed is the magic of Comhaltas.”

 

“Meeting the likes of Seamus Brogan, the traditional singer from Wexford, now living in St. Alban’s was a tonic in itself. His story of heading to the top of Vinegar Hill at midnight as the new millennium dawned to sing Boolavogue was just incredible.”

 

“On Saturday evening Senator Labhras O’Murchu who is also Director General of Comhaltas, gave arguably his greatest speech that has been heard in many years. His message to the North American Irish Diaspora was one of thanks and appreciation for all the hard work on behalf of the music and culture of Ireland. The standing ovation and deafening applause was also a testament to the Senator’s life long mission in support of Comhaltas.”

 

 

Equally eloquent are the photos from the convention that accompany this article, captured by Murphy Roche’s Dustin Martin.  Space permits showing only a sampling of the people enjoying various parts of the convention.  To view more photos, please visit the Murphy Roche Web site at www. Murphyroche.com (courtesy of the branch’s web master, Tony O’Connell).

 

Addressing the people assembled for the banquet, Labhrás Ó Mhurchú  commented on the spirit of the convention,  “When it comes to culture, when we play music, when we dance or play games or whatever – inherent in that is a fraternal spirit  ... and that’s why I’m always delighted at an Irish event … it’s not just Irish people who are celebrating our nationhood, but non-Irish as well.  Isn’t that one of the nicest things that can happen in a world that is so divided, where belligerence takes over from diplomacy, where very morning we’re afraid for the future of the globe itself?  Isn’t is so good there are people like yourselves – in Comhaltas, GAA and all the bodies who in a quiet way are promoting this philosophy of tolerance and brotherhood  -- and this has always been the spirit of Comhaltas.”

 

Looking back, each convention is more than memories – it’s a touchstone for people who like to be with other people who draw deep satisfaction from traditional music and dance.   All of us can look forward now to the next convention – “Ireland in Dixie” – to be hosted by the Irish Music Traditions branch of Comhaltas at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel, April 12 – 15, 2007.  For more information and to register, please visit the branch’s web site at:  www.irishmusictraditions.org