Michael,

Many fair points there in your post of a while ago. My take on Comhaltas' 'independence' (see, I got it right that time) was very much to do with its independence from the UK government/local authority arts funding system. I've since learned that I may have over-estimated that independence. And yes, since my last post on this thread I've learned more myself about the issues you mention and I share your concerns. I'm not the only one, either.

My take on it remains, however, that Comhaltas' strength lies in its voluntary nature. In my view, the more money you throw at it the worse it seems to get. The rot, however, seems worst the higher up you go (as with any centralised organisation with limited accountability). Its strength has always been at the grass roots.

Re. the UK website: my understanding is that it's been wound up because branches weren't sending enough information in to keep it worthwhile. The guy running it did so in his spare time and I know he expended a lot of energy trying to get material to put on it. My own experience suggests that even now a lot of local Comhaltas activists aren't really internet-type people, for better or worse. I realise saying all that raises as many questions as it answers.

In the meantime, the Irish community in the UK is now a settled, established and in many cases very successful one. I can't help wondering myself if it can still be justified for Irish taxpayers (who've had to put up with job losses, wage cuts, tax rises and everything else) to be expected to continue to subsidise the teaching of Irish music to the kids of people who have themselves done OK living in Britain - and who perhaps should now be expected to fend for themselves?