(from comhaltas.ie/about)
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.
It is a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world and, as you can read in
their history, has been working for the cause of Irish music since the middle of the last century (1951 to be precise).
Their efforts continue with increasing zeal as the movement launches itself into the 21st century.
Because Comhaltas is so many different things to different people, it can be hard to keep track of the true scope of their activities!
You might have been involved with a Comhaltas event and not even known it. If you’re a student of Irish music, you might know about the music,
dance and language classes that they teach through a network of branches. If you’re interested in learning the music, you might want to find
which one of over 1,000 weekly classes is closest to you.
For musicians who like to play socially, you might be interested in finding a local Comhaltas music session. And if you’re not sure, how about
just going along to listen? Audiences around the world have seen our touring groups bringing Irish music, dance and storytelling on annual tours.
Comhaltas runs the definitive system of competitions for Irish music, called the “Fleadh Cheoil” (literally “feast of music”). Musicians compete
in a series of qualifying rounds, culminating in the annual All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Comhaltas has collected an archive of thousands of hours of Irish music recordings, a large print library and a growing collection of videos.
You can get a sample of some of this material in the
Music section of their
website. In an effort to promote the music of Ireland, we publish
recordings, books and tutorials of Irish traditional music. You might want to take a
visit their shop next time you are in Dublin.
Comhaltas - Regional
Individual Comhaltas branches are organized into regions. Within Ireland, these regions are the actual Irish counties the branchs are in. Each County has its own
County board to help with administration. In Britain and North America (including Canada), instead of County Boards, CCE branches are organized into Regions. Each Region
has a Regional Board to help with administration. A County/Regional board can be formed in any County/Region where three or more branches exist. The board, made up of delegates
from each branch and a slate of officers, is responsible for the formation of new branches and promotion of the aims and objectives of the movement.
County boards and Regional Boards are additionally organized into larger
geographic areas know as Provincial Councils. There are four of these
in Ireland, corresponding to the four provinces of Ireland, Ulster, Leinster,
Munster and Connacht. Britain and North America (which includes Canada) have thier own Provincial Councils.
The branch is the fundamental and most important unit of our movement, making it possible to propagate and strengthen our native cultural characteristics within local communities.
Our members come together to organise sessions, classes, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, fleadhanna cheoil, and other events both for their own enjoyment and that of the
community at large.
These activites together with our educational programmes further the aims and objectives of the movement while fostering creative skills and artistic talent. Our branches
participate in an extraordinary range of activities, all based on local volunteerism. Some Comhaltas branches:
Partner with community groups and charities to develop local, regional and national fundraising events
Undertake annual tours to international music festivals
Produce “Seisiún” performances over the summer months
Publish their own books and CDs of traditional music
Rehearse ensembles for the annual “Fleadh” competitions
Develop youth exchange programmes within Ireland and abroad
Foster improved North-South relations through cross-border cultural initiatives
Organise local lectures, classes, concerts and radio shows
There seems to be no limit to the creativity of our volunteers, and it’s the imagination and passion of these local branch members that has made
Comhaltas into such a vibrant movement over the years.
Comhaltas - Fleadh
(from Wikipedia)
The Fleadh Cheoil (meaning "festival of music") is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ).
There are various stages to the competition. In Ireland there are county and provincial competitions leading to the All-Ireland Fleadh.
In Britain there are regional, then national stages of qualification for the All-Ireland. North America has two regional qualifying
Fleadh Cheoil. The Mid Atlantic Fleadh covers the US eastern seaboard, eastern Canada and the Maritimes. The Midwest Fleadh covers
the rest of North America from Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta and Detroit to San Francisco. Competitions are divided into the
following age categories: under 12, 12–15, 15–18, and over 18 (senior).
For more information see the full Wikipedia article.
Comhaltas - North American Convention
The Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann North American Convention is held yearly in April/May and is the largest gatherings of traditional Irish musicians
and dancers in North America. Typically it starts on Thursday evening with a welcoming Ceili. Various business meetings are held on Friday with
another dance in the evening. Saturday is a day of music, dance and cultural workshops with a dinner dance and Ceili in the evening. More dance
workshops follow on Sunday with a farewell Ceili in the afternoon.
Throughout the entire event sessions break out everywhere. Some extremely
large and others more intimate. Many of the world's finest musicians and
bands perform at the convention. Like all conventions it is held in a hotel
so there is no travel from your accommodation to the events. Nor is there
any need for designated drivers!
It is a great way to meet others who enjoy Irish music and dance and many will attest to the lasting friendships renewed each year at the Comhaltas
convention. If you have never attended it it worth trying. You won't be sorry!
