Winter 1999

Eagarfhocal

The year 2001 will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Comhaltas in 1951. The venue was the town of Mullingar and the main movers of this historic occasion were Cumann na bPíobairí Uilleann whose home was at 14 Thomas Street, Dublin.

It is a tribute to the vision and tenacity of all those who support the cultural movement that even in these modern times Comhaltas goes from strength to strength. New branches are being formed on a regular basis - the most recent being in Sweden and Spain.

We have just witnessed one of the largest and most successful All-Ireland Fleadhanna Cheoil of all time in Enniscorthy. The new CCE/RIAM examination structure has got off to a very good start.

Comhaltas has secured the copyright-free status of original Irish traditional music. They successfully argued that our native music was akin to a national treasure and the property of the nation.

What does the future hold? Will we see the return of the nationwide seisiún scheme in the near future? Will Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann go north of the border for the first time? Will the Irish language, like Irish traditional music, come centre stream. These and many more are some of the challenges which face us in the new millennium.

Déanaimís beart de réir ár mbriathar.