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News
From Ireland
July, 2000
 What
follows is an edited version of the minutes of the Ard Chomhairle meeting
attended by our North American Provincial representative, Jack Pendergast,
and our North American chair, Frank Kennedy. If anyone wants the entire
transcript, let me know and I'll be happy to send it to you. - Carolyn
Brazzil
A
chairde,
Chairman Frank Kennedy and Secretary Jack Pendergast were pleased to represent
CCE North America at the Comhaltas Ard Chomhairle meetings in Dublin on
30 June and 1/2 July. Below are selected items from those meetings for
your information.
RETURN
OF SEISIUN
After many years of campaigning by CCE Head Office, we are pleased to
report that SEISIUN has returned. SEISIUN is a music trail throughout
Ireland from 3 July to 19 August 2000 where the visitors can join with
local traditional musicians, singers, dancers and story-tellers for an
evening of native entertainment. Organized by Comhaltas with grant-aid
from the Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands, SEISIUN is being
re-introduced this year for the first time in over a decade. It, had previously
had a highly successful run for 15 years.
SEISIUN
2000 was officially launched by Hon.. Eamon O'Cuiv, T.D., Minister of
State at the said Dept. on June 28 in Buswell's Hotel, Kildare Street,
Dublin. Sen. Labhras O'Murchu, his wife Una and North American Secretary
Jack Pendergast helped Stephen Conroy launch the Co. Laois version.
CCÉ
NORTH AMERICAN REPS MEET WITH MINISTER OF STATE
The Chairman and Secretary of North America had a luncheon meeting with
Eamon O'Cuiv, TD., Minister of State at the Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht
and Islands. The meeting was at Dail Eireann and was also attended by
the CCÉ Uachtaran and Ardstiurthóir. We submitted plans
for Comhaltas sponsored activities in the USA and Canada and provided
recommendations for further development of the relationship between Ireland
and CCE North America.
TREOIR
MAGAZINE
TREOIR 2000/No.2 has now been published and is being circulated. The North
American copies are scheduled to arrive in NY for processing the week
of 9 July and should be available soon. We have learned that the printing
of future issues of TREOIR will be subject to the VAT tax in Ireland.
Head Office estimates that this will amount to an extra annual expenditure
in the region of £5000. Our Treoir printer, Kilkenny People Inc., have
agreed to share some of the VAT cost which is very much appreciated.
TITHE
CHEOIL
Comhaltas has been offered the old Church of Ireland building in Kilrush,
Co. Clare. The building would be renovated for CCE use. This offer is
now being considered, particularly with respect to staffing and maintenance.
***We received a suggestion that the Detroit branch honor Dan O Kennedy
in this Kilrush building in some manner. It is very close to Dan's hometown.
Does anyone have any ideas?
FLEADH
2001
Two applications have been received for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2001:
Listowel, Co. Kerry, and Warrenpoint, Co Down. The Ard Chomhairle Standing
Committee will be visiting both venues over the next few weeks and will
report their findings back to the Ard Chomhairle. The 2001 venue will
be selected at the September Ard Chomhairle meeting.
HEAD
OFFICE STAFF
Like everyone in Ireland, it is very difficult obtaining staff. It is
one of the drawbacks of the Celtic Tiger and full employment. Several
temporary folks have been hired for the summer months but there is a need
for permanent staff to handle many basic services. See page 5 of the upcoming
Treoir for details. Maybe you know someone that wants to return Home!
CONCERT
TOUR of NORTH AMERICA
Final plans are now being made for the North American Tour 2000. The artists
are: Alice Fitzgerald, (Waterford) M/C, singer, Kathleen Ford, (Donegal)
singer/whistle; Erin McGeown, (Armagh) fiddle; R6isin Hambly (Mayo) harp;
Padraig Butler, (Kilkenny) uillean pipes; Barra McAllister (Dublin) concert-flute;
Triona Nic Aoidh (Kerry) concertina; Kate Marquis (Monaghan) banjo; CoIm
O'Donnell (Sligo) concert flute/singer; Donal Regan (Dublin) 2-row accordion;
Padraig O'Neill (Dublin) fiddle; Martin O'Connell (Kerry) 2-row accordion;
Daisy Kearney, (Limerick) Seanachai; Dancers: Darren McHale, Rebecca Stevens,
Clare Murray and Dean McCabe - all from Birmingham, and John Doherty (Mayo);
Tour Manager is Frank Whelan, (Clare. You will know him as Fleadh Nua
Chair) and our 'Sound-operative' is from John McElligott's firm.
For
those of you that haven't been counting that is a total of 20 individuals
who will be out in October. Designs for publicity material have been sent
to Helen Gannon for printing the brochures and posters. And the names,
dates and places needed for immigration visa processing are being E-mailed
from Ireland so we can get that under way soonest.
Special
Concert Tours to Ireland, Britain and North America in 2001 to mark the
Comhaltas 50th anniversary are being considered. Suggestions to the Ard
Chomhairle for artists and format are invited.
IMRO
There are well done comments that answer some of the "why IMRO" questions
in Treoir issue 2/2000 out soon. They are included in a delightful interview
with Charlie Lennon on pages 20/21.
50
BLIAIN AG FAS - CCÉ 50th ANNIVERSARY
A special meeting of the Ard Chomhairle - joined by other project committees
was held on July 2 to up-date plans for Comhaltas' 50th anniversary celebrations.
Some of the key items will be: a. 2/4 February 2001. A special Province
of Britain Convention (North American style) at Leeds in England. See
page 19 of Treoir issue 2/2000 out soon.
b.
Saturday 14 April 2001. Special Concert at the University of Limerick.
Artists and format are under review.
c.
April 18-23, 2001. North American Convention in Toronto.
d.
May 26 2001. Reunion Concert by the winners of the All-Ireland Senior
Ceili Bands over the years at the West County Inn in Ennis, County Clare
during Fleadh Nua.
e.
27 September 2001. CCE Celebration Dinner at the Mansion House in Dublin.
f.
A commissioned art exhibition relating to traditional music, song and
dance by Patricia Noonan of Claremorris, County Mayo.
g.
An Post in Ireland will issue commemorative postage stamps.
h.
Special tapes/CDs, new songs along with reissues of old tapes such as
the "Rambles of Kitty" are planned. One publication already underway is
a book that will contain all the tunes published in Treoir over the years.
There
are bunch more events and publications but the above should give you the
idea of the scope planned.
Gacht
Beannacht! John E. Pendergast, Secretary
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