Nine musician and dancers from Ceolta Si, the performing arm of Youghal Comhaltas will head out to China on the 4th of Dec. They will travel the long journey on foot of an invitation from the Irish Embassy in Beijing The Embassy is conducting a number of awareness raising events have been invited to flavour the proceedings with the magic of their music and dance. Travelling to China along with Chairman Micheal de Buitleir will be Aisling Pearce on accordion. Marie Effler fiddle, Daithi Kearney Banjo, Sarah McGrath dancer, Marie Therese Keating concertina, Graham McDermott dancer, Aoife Butler fiddle, and Una Whyte Harp. The group members who are all over eighteen have been selected on their performance abilities and of course on their availability to travel. Already this year Ceolta Si has been to Mexico and Cardiff on the foot of similar invitations. The invitations continue to pour in to the group, so much so that Ceolta Si now has a massive International appeal. The success and popularity of the group derives from the huge success and reputation of Ceolta Si back home in Youghal. Capacity audiences were recorded again last summer proving that Ceolta Si is as evergreen as ever. This remarkable show is now is its eighteenth season. It pre-dates Riverdance and other shows by a good number of years. The Ceolta Si group perform authentic Irish music and dance and as such it does not pretend to imitate any other. Heartened by the success of the local show the organisers set out a number of years ago to establish Ceolta Si as an International Performing group. As well as the trips to Cardiff and Mexico in 2007 Ceolta Si went to Cardiff in 2006. They also managed to fit in a trip to Tuscany in September to celebrate the wedding of their accordion player Aisling Pearse who has been with the group since its inception. Today Ceolta Si has a prominent International appeal, as well as a double invite to China it is also invited to Australia, Glasgow, Budapest and Brussels. While in China Ceolta Si will explore a second invite to perform at a festival during the Chinese New Year in February. Ceolta is an examplenary example of a group of a group promoting Irish culture through tourism and in so doing it also promotes tourism through culture. It is the two sides of the same coin. In promoting Irish culture Ceolta Si is also promoting Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford. In a world where globalisation continues to accelerate it is important to have a cultural identity. Ceolta Si is proud to promote a quality brand of Irish identity. There are thousands out there who appreciate and notice what we do. They like the bottom up community approach in promoting Irish culture. Above all they like the authentic, natural, yet professional product that is Ceolta Si. The summer season may be the harvest time for the Ceolta Si Comhaltas group, but it works at its unique remit in promoting Irish culture all year long. The real often-laborious work of teaching young people is a yearlong process. So many patrons and visitors so often comment on this aspect of Comhaltas. Amongst those welcoming Ceolta Si to the capital of China will be Ambasador Kelleher and a number of Irish buisness promoters in Beijing and Tianjin.They will perform at the official opening of an Irish pub on 6th Dec. They will then perform at a number of Universities on the 7th. They will also help enliven some awareness raising events organised by the Irish Embassy while in China. The group are looking forward to opportunities to get in some tourism, like a visit to the Great Wall, and the New Olympic Village and the many, many superb buildings. Members of Ceolta Si have given their time and talents to the betterment of the community, their fundraising exploits over the years was pivotal to the establishment of Bru na Si the home of Comhaltas in Youghal, which is now debt free. Here hundredths more young people learn what Irish culture is, and how to become dedicated performers of our music song and dance. Last season Ceolta Si also performed for a number of deserving charities such as Cois Abhann, The Aursha Project in Africa, Youghal Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and Ballycotton Lifeboat. There seems to be no end to the energy and commitment of the local Comhaltas members as they fulfil their remit. An expenses paid trip to China is indeed a fitting reward for the dedicated members of Ceolta Si. A sincere word of thanks to the rest of the Ceolta Si cast who could not make the trip this time A special word of thanks to Dr Melanie Kelly who looked after the medical needs of the group and to Don Brockie who worked so hard to secure the necessary visas in time for the flight. Ceolta Si will perform a Farewell session in Point Bar next Friday 9-30.