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Comhaltas

Comhaltas Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in Brussels through Community, Music, Dance, Song and Friendship

A group photo of children sitting on the floor holding instruments, behind them adults are sitting on chairs or standing, two are holding medals and certificates, there is a harp standing on the floor, an Irish flag is on the wall, another on the floor on the left with green, orange and white balloons, and a child to the right holds an Irish flag, also on the wall behind are an EU flag and two large Comhaltas posters

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann performed at a wide variety of venues in Brussels to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the recently established local Comhaltas Branch. Led by Cathaoirleach Noel Rowland the establishment of the Branch in Brussels had been on hold due to Covid-19 pandemic interruptions. 

The Comhaltas performers included Ardchomhairle member uilleann piper Padraig Donlon, Maura Walsh (concertina, fiddle), Fionnuala Donlon (harp), Liam Guiney (dancer, bodhrán, flute), Caelainn McGrath (dancer) and Siobhán Ní Chonaráin (flute,whistle,presenter).

The St. Patrick’s Day visit started with three performances at the European School Brussels on 16 March. That evening Comhaltas performed at Ambassador Kevin Conmy, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, St Patrick’s Day Reception at the Bozar, Brussels, attended by up to 1000 guests. The local Irish Dance School, Eireann dance Academy gave a stunning choreographed performance, led by Margot Haudenhuyse.

The Mannekin Pis, a landmark bronze fountain statue in central Brussels is dressed in ‘Irish costume’ on St. Patrick’s Day, an event addressed by the Irish Ambassador. Comhaltas was invited to perform at this open air event by Ambassador Conmy and received a very enthusiastic response by those present and those who watched on the Embassy’s twitter account.

The invitation to perform at the European Research Executive Agency, European Commission, St. Patrick’s Day reception was another highlight of the visit. This was followed by an impromptu session of music and dance took place at ‘O’ Reillys’.

The Irish Club Ball in Belgium was hosted this year for the first time in three years. Comhaltas acknowledged its President George Candon and the Irish Club for the opportunity to make two presentations, to Ambassador Kevin Conmy and to Noel Rowland Cathaoirleach Comhaltas Brussels. Anne Whearty, a native of Mullingar, who is based in Brussels, was also acknowledged by CCÉ for her assistance.

The artists acknowledged the exceptional hospitality extended to Comhaltas by all the various individuals and organisations they visited, including Branch Cathaoirleach Noel Rowland who co-ordinated the visit. 

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 celebration in Brussels was indeed memorable and historic!