Comhaltas -North American org, for Irish music

Subject: Comhaltas -N. Amer. org, for Irish music
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 00 - 05:10 PM

Someone mentioned Sean O Riada in the Braveheart thread, sorry I can't remember who. Anyway, in searching for midis of his Mass, I found an interesting site I thought some of you might like. I am equally sure some of you already know about it. Anyway, here is a bit from their home page and a link:

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) North America
| CCÉ North America Events | CCÉ Branches | What's New! | CCÉ Ireland | Links to Irish Resources
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, pronounced coal-tis kyol-tory air-in, is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of traditional Irish music, language, dance, and culture. The Irish translation is roughly A Gathering of Irish Musicians. The organization is often called CCÉ, or simply Comhaltas.

Comhaltas was founded in 1951 in Dublin, and has grown to encompass four continents, with over 400 branches worldwide.

The organization has no political or religious agenda, and you do not have to be Irish or Catholic to join. Comhaltas is open to anyone interested in traditional Irish culture and its propagation.

Comhaltas branches usually sponsor activities such as dance lessons, music lessons, Irish language lessons, sessions, and ceilis. Comhaltas keeps historical archives, sponsors competitions (Fleadhanna), and publishes the magazine Treoir. Treoir published an interesting article about Irish Music on the Internet. Comhaltas has also made documentary films and videos, recordings, and offers scholarships and fellowships to scholars, musicians, and dancers. Comhaltas holds annual North American conventions and sponsors an annual concert tour of award-winning musicians and dancers.

Comhaltas is meant to be a forum for the traditional Irish culture, as opposed to the popular and stereotypical culture that the general public has embraced. This means that you are more likely to find Comhaltas people playing instrumental tunes or singing in Irish than singing Danny Boy while weeping into their beers. We try not to be culture snobs, however, and we certainly like to have a good time.

The best way to learn about Comhaltas, and to experience Irish culture, is to attend a session. If you don't have a Comhaltas branch near you, you may want to start one. New branches are springing up all the time, and Comhaltas provides support and encouragement for new branches. Here are some scheduled Comhaltas events.

If you do contact a Comhaltas branch, let them know that you heard about them through this page!!

Subject: RE: Comhaltas -N. Amer. org, for Irish music
From: Áine
Date: 11 May 00 - 05:53 PM

Maith thú, a kat!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Comhaltas -N. Amer. org, for Irish music
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:04 PM

I've had a link to Comhaltas on my music page for several years. I contacted them several times about starting a branch, with no response. Montanas finally started a separate organization here, called Montana Gaelic Society. If you live where there is an existing Comhaltas branch, it's worth checking out the dance, music, and language opportunities.

Alice

Subject: RE: Comhaltas -N. Amer. org, for Irish music
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:42 PM

Hello, Katlaughing. I wrote the reference to O riada in the Braveheart thread. I didn't know Comhaltas has a net site. Thank you for posting it here! I'm new this year to the Mudcat. What a great way to share information among folk music enthusiasts!

Subject: RE: Comhaltas -N. Amer. org, for Irish music
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:12 AM

Hi Chanteyranger, welcome to the Mudcat and thanks for mentioning O Riada. When I put his name in a Google search there was a bunch of stuff that came up. We just missed a PBS special on him on March 2! Hopefully they will rerun it.

Thanks,

katlaughing