Our local branch does a lot to encourage children, to play music in a non competitive atmosphere.I see many children get alot of stimulation and pleasure from this,they also get a lot of pleasure from playing in ceilidh band and grupa ceol.
Comhaltas is also the only organisation that teaches traditional music in England on a national basis.whatever the rights and wrongs of this particular case,let us not forget all the good Comhaltas has done,and is still doing.
I think it would be a pity if this thread degenerated into an excuse for comhaltas bashing.
I am not uncritical of Comhaltas,but I have witnessed first hand alot of pleasure, self esteem /skill,that children have got from being part of it.Dick Miles