Skibbereen Comhaltas
Contact
- Rosemary Coughlan
- The Abbey
- Baltimore
- Skibbereen
- Co. Cork
- +353 87 9853266
- Visit Website
Features
- Music Classes
- Dance Classes
- Music Sessions
- Céilí or Set Dancing
- Links to other Branches
Fáilte chuig an eagrán seo. Welcome to the November/December edition of the Skibbereen CCÉ branch newsletter keeping you up-to-date with news of recent and upcoming branch events
REPORT OF BRANCH AGM
The branch A.G.M took place on Tuesday, October 5th in the GAA Pavilion. Secretary Rosemary Coughlan reported on another hugely successful and active year for the branch. Out total membership was 340 comprising of 175 senior and 165 junior members. The main highlight of the year for the branch was hosting the County Fleadh Cheoil in May. While organising the event required a huge amount of planning and fundraising, it was a hugely successful Fleadh and the branch received many plaudits for organising the Fleadh to such a high standard. In competitions, our branch members won five All-Ireland medals at the Fleadh in Cavan along with numerous honours won in Munster Fleadh, County Fleadh, Ceol an Geimhridh and Scór na nÓg. Some of the other high points of the year included the branch Féile Cheoil held in March and the 40th anniversary of the branch. Outgoing Chairman Ger O Donovan thanked everyone who had helped out in any way during the year, in particular those who helped out at the County Fleadh Cheoil. He appealed to the parents of the children who are benefiting from the branch to get involved. The branch urgently needs to see new faces and get additional voluntary help.
Election of officers then took place. Officers elected were as follows: President: Kester Kelly Vice President: Myra McCarthy Chairperson: Nuala Ní Bhriain Vice-Chairman: Con McCarthy Secretary: Rose Coughlan Assistant Secretary: Teresa Walsh Treasurer: Yvonne O’ Regan Assistant Treasurer: Alice Burke & Margaret O’Donovan PRO: Sean Walsh Youth Officer: Claire Collins Auditor: Tom Kelly Child Protection Officer: Jo MacEoin County Board Delegates: Yvonne O Regan & Sean Walsh
FLEADH CELEBRATION
In recognition of our members who won All-Ireland medals at the Fleadh in Cavan, a special celebration was held at the October Youth Session. Presentations were made by the branch to Cathal McCarthy (Under 15 Mouth Organ, 1st place), Naomi Burke (Under 15 Whistling, 1st place), Hannah Collins (Under 15 Piano, 2nd place); Liam & Olive O’Mahony (Under 15 Trio, 3rd place). All prize-winners performed their winning tunes for the large audience in attendance.
TRAD FOR TRÓCAIRE
A most successful event took place at the October Youth Session as part of Comhaltas’s national campaign to fundraise for Trócaire. A total of €228 was raised. Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to the fundraiser.
CEOL AN GEIMHRIDH
The County Finals of Ceol an Gheimhridh (Winter Fleadh) takes place next on Sunday, November 14th in Macroom. The entry date has now closed. The best of luck to all our members competing on the day. Ceol an Gheimhridh 2010
ORDERS FOR BRANCH HOODIES
Interested in ordering a Skibbereen Comhaltas hoodie? These will be a grey colour and will cost €25 euro. If interested please give money and your size to Martina French at the December Youth Session. Comhaltas Hoodies
COMHALTAS ÓG
The branch’s youth committee Comhaltas Óg held their AGM on October 3rd. Officers elected for the coming year are as follows: Chairperson: Naomi Burke Vice-Chairperson: Ciarán O’Donovan Secretary/PRO: Claire Collins Asst. Secretary: Hanna MacEoin Treasurer: Aidan Williamson Asst. Treasurer: Ellen McCarthy Asst. PRO: Sarah Collins All teenage members are invited to get involved in Comhaltas Óg and have their ideas and views heard at Senior branch level.
December Youth Session & Christmas Party
The December Comhaltas Óg Session will take place on Tuesday, December 7th in the G.A.A Pavillion starting at 7.30pm. This will include a music session led by the Comhaltas Óg committee, followed by a céilí where the children will have the opportunity to learn a dance or two under the tutelage of Martina French. Refreshments will also be served. The annual Christmas party celebrations will also take place including Christmas games, spot prizes etc. Bring your Santa Hats As many of the parents of the children attending the sessions are themselves musicians, we are inviting adults to also bring along their musical instruments for this special Christmas session and join into the music with their children. Bígí Linn
Ciorcal Cainte for Teenagers
Would you like to practice your conversational Irish in an informal and relaxed setting? Comhaltas Óg are holding a Ciorcal Cainte in the West Cork Hotel on Sunday, December 5th at 7.30pm. All teenage members welcome.
CÉILÍ
The branch are holding a Céilí and Old Time Dance on Friday, November 26th in the West Cork Hotel starting at 9pm. Music will be provided by the branch Seisiún musicians. Admission for adults (including tea) is €10. (Special rates for juniors and families at door). We encourage everyone, both senior and junior members, to come along and enjoy a great night of set, céilí and old-time dancing.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Comhaltas has published an updated Child Protection Policy for the protection of children, teachers and adults involved in all Comhaltas activities, for implementation in all Comhaltas units. This will have far-reaching implications on how we as a branch conduct classes, sessions, ceili’s etc We are asked to inform you as a Comhaltas member of the existence of the Child Protection Policy. If you would like a copy please contact Runaí, Rosemary Coughlan The branch has appointed Jo MacEoin (Tel: 086-1717765) as the Branch Child Protection Liaison Officer for the coming year. The role of this officer ship is to communicate between branch members and Comhaltas on all issues regarding Child Protection
PHOTOGRAPHS
It is common practice at Skibbereen Comhaltas events for photographs to be taken for archival purposes. Photographs are also sometimes published on the branch website; however no child is ever named or identified. If you do not wish your child’s photograph to be taken at future Skibbereen Comhaltas events, please send a letter expressing this wish to the branch Runaí, Rosemary Coughlan. If we do not hear from you, it will be assumed that you consent to your child’s photograph being taken and published on the branch website.
SET DANCING CLASSES
Adult Set and Céilí Dancing Classes continue each Wednesday night with Bertie and Annie Moran in the G.A.A Pavilion from 8.30-10.30. Great numbers are attending every week and it is proving to be a most enjoyable evening. Bertie and Anne would welcome any new faces who would like to join in. For information contact Bertie at 028-28647
CHRISTMAS CÉILÍ
Wednesday, December 22nd at 9pm in the GAA Pavilion Music: Ger Murphy & Liam Healy Adults and Teenagers Welcome
BRANCH BUTTON ACCORDION
The branch Paulo Soprani button accordion donated by the McNicholas Family, Glandore is now available for loan once again to any interested members. The loan will be for a twelve-month term. If you are interested write a letter to Runaí, Rosemary Coughlan which will be considered at the next committee meeting.
Skibbereen Christmas Parade
A special parade to mark the switching-on of the Christmas lights in Skibbereen will take place in Friday, December 3rd. Comhaltas musicians will parade through town on the Comhaltas float. All musicians invited. Assemble at the West Cork Hotel at 4.30pm. Wear hoodies and Santa hats.
TG4 looking for Ireland’s Most Talent Family
TG4 are inviting applications for a new reality TV show called ‘Feis and Blood’. For more information visit their website: http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/stud/feis/index.asp
Committee
| Title | Name |
|---|---|
| Honoury President | Kester Kelly |
| Chairperson | Nuala Ní Bhriain |
| Vice-Chairman | Con McCarthy |
| Secretary | Rose Coughlan |
| Asst. Secretary | Teresa Walsh |
| Treasurer | Yvonne O'Regan |
| Asst. Treasurer | Alice Burke/Margaret O'Donovan |
| PRO | Sean Walsh |
| Youth Officer | Claire Collins |
| Treorai na Gaeilge | Donncha Ó Sé |
| County Board Delegates | Yvonne O'Regan & Seán Walsh |