Branch History
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COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRÍ ÉIREANN | |
| A stroll down memory lane with Danny McK
In August 1992 the Branch organised Cursa Aon Gaelachas; a weeklong course in
comparative Celtic studies. This took place in Oban, Argyllshire, and was attended by
approximately 30 children and adults. Gaelic classes were taken by Sean Feeney,
music tuition given by Jimmy McHugh, and Gaelic singing taught by Rory Campbell.
A Hurling - Shinty match was played between the Branch and Oban Camanachd.
Other course highlights included a trip to the island of Iona where St. Colmcille of Donegal
settled with his Monks.'Non-Celtic' activities such as sailing and canoeing also took place.
The week was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The All Ireland Fleadh of August 1994 was the first one at which the Branch had competitors. This was in the Gaelic Singing competition. Unfortunately the native speakers proved too tough competition! Since then the Branch has been represented in the Uilleann Pipes, Fiddle Slow Airs, Miscellaneous as well as Singing competitions in Irish and English. We are, however, still waiting for that first medal at the Fleadh Cheoil!!! More recent developments............... We are also proud of the broad spectrum of backgrounds that makes up our membership including people from Germany (Hans Pieper keeps in touch from around the world), France, Austria, and North America as well as Scotland, England and Ireland. On 9th of April 2000 St. James' celebrated the 10th Anniversary since our first minuted meeting by hosting, for our first time, Fleadh na hAlbain (the Scottish Regional Fleadh) at St. Andrew's College, Bearsden. Original members rallied alongside enthusiastic newer ones in the daunting task of fund-raising and organising in an effort which saw the Branch ' come of age' and bond as never before. Special thanks goes to the Fleadh Committee. The Rooneys, Campbells, and Molloys worked particularly hard. Help was at hand throughout from other longer established Scottish Branches namely the Irish Minstrels and Johnny Docherty's. We thank them for that. The year 2000 was, however, marked with sadness in the passing away of Rory Campbell, aged 72 years. He left a rich legacy in his family and in the branch which he had founded. The representation from Comhaltas, the G.A.A., and Conradh na Gaeilge at his funeral was a fitting testament to his life-long dedication to Irish culture. The branch continues to meet every Monday night at St. James the Great Church Hall in Pollok. Children and adults can learn music, song, and ceili dancing in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. A special thanks goes to our Honorary Chairman, Mgr. Coakley, for his continued support and to Danny McKendry snr. for his behind the scenes tuition of young fiddlers. As well as acknowledging various musicians reaching All- Ireland competition standard the Branch is particularly proud of its young singers (both in Irish and in English) who have now mixed in the highest company. Patricia Pearson has attended Scoil Éigse and Laura Molloy won the All- Britain. |
The Branch continued to establish itself at the Regional level by hosting the Echoes of Erin Tour concert in February 2002 at St Andrews’s in the Square in Glasgow. This was followed up in 2003 with the branch successfully hosting the Scottish Fleadh at the new venue of St Ninian’s High School, Eastwood. The Branch was also involved in helping the Region who hosted workshops at St Paul’s in Pollok. PRO Phil Doherty has to be thanked for his role in that. Our Branch held it’s 15th Anniversary Celebrations in 2004 and we hope that in the years to come we will continue to flourish as it does today by fostering the traditional music, song, dance, and language of Ireland………………….
Letterkenny 2005 was attended by members of the branch with Danny McKendry jnr competing in the fiddle slow airs and Colm Campbell singing in Irish, carrying on in the tradition of his father.
The year 2005 saw the sad loss of two of it’s members namely David Osborne and John Murphy. They will be sadly missed by their families and by all their friends at the St. James the Great Branch. We were also saddened by the death of Owen Kelly, founder member of the Irish Minstrels and friend of our own branch, this year. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. ********************* The Branch would like to take this opportunity to wish Monsigor Matthew Coakley the very best of wishes as he enters into his well-earned retirement from November 2005 onwards. We hope to see him up at the Branch as usual on a Monday night!!!
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The Early Days
More recently the Branch has had a fresh
influx of tradition from the late Owen Kelly (a founder member of the Irish Minstrels, singing
instructor, drummer and ceili dancer), Eddie Marley (fiddler), and the Boyles
(Hughie and Kathleen who are son and granddaughter of the late Donegal fiddler Neillie O'Boyle).
Thanks go out to them.
Members of the Branch have traveled to Bradford, Leeds, London, Leicester, and Birmingham for
the All Britain Fleadhanna. Trips to the All-Ireland also provide great memories: Clonmel,
Listowel, Ballina, and Enniscorthy. We have travelled with the Minstrels, Johnny Doc’s and
also with the more recently formed St Patrick’s from Coatbridge. Thanks to them all for their
friendship over the years.
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