There was a full and very enthusiastic attendance at the annual general meeting of the Monaghan County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on Monday 19 of February last in the Corcaghan Community Centre. Following the adoption of the minutes, county secretary Mary Kirke delivered a comprehensive bilingual report on the year’s activities which was well received by the delegates. She congratulated all members who had taken part in the various fleadh competitions and especially to Amelia Murphy, George McAdam, Micheál Mac Suibhne and the Ceoltóirí Drumlin under 12 Céilí Band who had all won first place at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Tullamore. Congratulations were also extended to St. Mary’s Marching Band, Broomfield on their All-Ireland win. Finally Chairman Pat Beagon was congratulated on being awarded a Gradam by Comhaltas nationally with the award formally presented to him at a special function in Dublin last September. In his address Chairman Pat Beagon spoke of what had been a good year for Comhaltas and thanked all delegates for re-nominating him for the position of Chairman at both county and provincial level. He also thanked all branches for the many messages of goodwill received during his recent illness. The Chairman complimented Mary Kirke on being probably the best county secretary in the province and noted that it was very reassuring to have her as Provincial Secretary also. Finally he stressed the need for all branches to have delegates in attendance for the forthcoming AGM of the Ulster Council in Dun Uladh, Omagh on 22 February. In presenting the financial report, outgoing treasurer Dermott Lambe gave a breakdown of the figures that saw the County Board and Fleadh return a small surplus. The generous financial support of Castleblayney Credit Union and Town Council as well a donation from AIB Castleblayney was critical in ensuring that the County Fleadh broke even. For 2009, Comhaltas have organised the County Monaghan Fleadh to take place in Scotstown on Saturday 30 May. Other events are: session in Tullycorbet on Sunday 1 February at 3pm for all branches; benefit evening in aid of Carrick Cancer on Shrove Tuesday, 24 February in Carrickmacross; Tydavnet Feis and Eamon Ó Muirí comhra gaeilge competition on 29 March in Scotstown; the Patrick Byrne traditional music weekend from 3 – 5 April in Carrickmacross; Corcaghan Feis on 26 April and Scoil Cheoil na Botha to be held in Scotstown during October. In addition the meeting was informed that the GAA would be holding the semi-finals of Scór in County Monaghan on the 20 and 22 February with the final set for 27 February.