Civic Reception to mark new stage of development for Comhaltas in Youghal
4 July 2008, 2:07 PM GMT
On Thursday night, 3rd July, a special event will be hosted by Youghal Town Council for the launch of a number of activities and developments planned by Craobh Eochaille CCÉ for the coming months. It is hoped that these developments will benefit the town and the surrounding areas in the present and long into the future. The plans include an ambitious building programme, as well as a performance and training schedule that will continue to promote Irish traditional music and profile Youghal around the world.
The highlight of the night was the launch of Seisiún Ceolta Sí 2008. Ceolta Sí will perform their popular show, including new repertoire and dance routines, as well as a few new faces, and some old faces returning at Brú na Sí each Monday night. As the result of a mutual agreement between Youghal Town Council and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, they will also perform in the Mall Arts Centre for Thursday nights in August. The break during the month of July will allow the council time to accommodate their usual booking from the Department of Justice. At the same time, it will allow Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to explore an exciting educational opportunity in the Czech Republic targeted at the 13 to 20 year old age group. The senior Comhaltas Ceolta Sí group, that recently travelled to perform in China, Mexico and a number of other exotic locations, will continue their intimate Seisiún at Brú na Sí.
The reception also provides an opportunity for the launch of the new website for the group, which will be online shortly. Using the international profile developed by Ceolta Sí, the website will also be of benefit to the town, attracting tourists and cultural visitors and providing information to our regular visitors at Brú na Sí. Brú na Sí itself is preparing for an exciting new extension. A number of new classrooms and other facilities are planned that will benefit not only the Comhaltas group but also a number of other organisations in the town.
Craobh Eochaille CCÉ are also looking forward to the visit of an Italian Folk Dance Group on Thursday 24th July. Due to a need to prioritise funding for other activities and events, this event has been downscaled to a one day event this year. We have proposed a new Music Education Programme that will be rolled out in the near future.
Younger members of the branch are currently preparing for an exciting educational opportunity. Under the auspices of the European Youth Network, the project is aimed at the teenage membership of the branch, an age group often neglected for performance and learning opportunities. Ten young members of Craobh Eochaille CCÉ will travel to the Kroknose region of the Czech Republic to share their culture and learn and perform with groups from Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Their teachers, Daithí Kearney and Louise Keating and branch secretary Mary Treacy will also travel. It is planned that this will be the beginning of an annual link up with other folk music, song and dance groups throughout Europe and emphasises the important role of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in nurturing Irish traditional music around the world. The project is also viewed as an opportunity to develop Youghal as a European destination for cultural education into the future.
For further information on Seisiún performances during the summer, contact Micheál at 087 793 4504 or email [email protected]
Posted By Youghal
