Ceolfhoireann Tíre na hÉireann
The Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland was first formed by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the late 1980s and has always attracted the most gifted young Irish musicians and singers.
Under the direction of Micheál Ó hAlmhain, the Folk Orchestra undertook a number of projects in the 1990’s culminating in “Slad agus Slanú” for the 1995 Oireachtas. This was performed live on stage at The National Concert Hall and was recorded by RTÉ television and broadcast in 1996. “Slad agus Slanú” was Directed by Tomás Mac Anna and included dance, narration and song, with the singing provided by the Mac Mathúna clan! Some of the music was traditional with orchestral arrangements and much of it was newly composed. The classical pieces were by Stephen Kelly and the Traditional by Tom Doorley, of Danú fame. At that time the orchestra featured about 30 of the very best Irish traditional musicians and singers.
In 2013 the Orchestra was reformed to perform The Boróimhe Suite which was composed by Michael Rooney to celebrate the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Ború. In 2016 the Orchestra presented MACALLA 1916 which was again specially commissioned by Comhaltas to commemorate the Easter Rising. It was performed in the Barbican in London by invitation of Comhaltas na Breataine and on Easter Saturday night for the 1916 Relatives Concert in the RDS, Dublin before going on a Nationwide tour.
2017 and 2018 saw the Orchestra perform LEGACY, a suite of music celebrating the great men and women who helped shape and define our tradition through the generations.
During the 2019 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Drogheda, the Orchestra performed ORIEL WAVE. Premiered at the beautiful setting of St Augustine’s Church in Drogheda, “Oriel Wave” took the audience on a journey through the musical and cultural landscape of the Ulster Region. Oriel Wave featured both newly composed music by Tom Doorley and some of our greatest traditional tunes and songs.
The Orchestra is comprised of the most gifted young Irish musicians and singers. Since reforming, the Orchestra has performed at venues all over Ireland including the National Concert Hall and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, the National Opera House in Wexford and at the Barbican Centre in London. Their performances have also been broadcast on R.T.E. and TG4.
With a commitment to performing newly composed music, the NFOI has commissioned and performed pieces from harpist and composer Michael Rooney and renowned flute player Tom Doorley. The orchestra regularly appears at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has performed at events for the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and for his Holiness Pope Francis.