Launch of the brand-new Comhaltas.ie
15 February 2007
On February 15, 2007 at 21.00 GMT, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be launching the brand-new comhaltas.ie in a webcast event staged simultaneously in 8 locations. The website is a component of the Comhaltas Development Programme, a multi-year programme of work made possible by Government funding. The site was developed by Happy Cog (happycog.com), a world leader in creating accessible websites. Journalists and music-lovers are invited to tune into the webcast of the launch at: http://comhaltas.ie/blog/post/launch/.
Keeping it Local
Our new website brings together the people and ideas of this unique cultural movement, shining a spotlight on the thousands of Comhaltas volunteers around the world working to keep the cultural traditions of Ireland alive and vibrant. Emphasising the distributed nature of the movement, the new site gives space to the events, classes and photographs of each of our hundreds of branches world-wide.
A showcase for Talent
Our new site features the re-launch of the ComhaltasLive weekly video programme. This unique video service broadcasts from Irish music festivals, summer schools and sessions all around Ireland, allowing people all over the world to participate in Irish culture. Each week we’ll be bringing you a new 20-minute programme, free to view on the internet.
Destination for Tourists
For the first time the many Irish cultural events, sessions, festivals, music schools and competitions will be brought to the same website, giving tourists a very special local look at the “real” Ireland. Comhaltas events attract hundreds of thousands every year — we can now connect those visitors with timely and relevant information about the many opportunities to see Irish culture presented at its best.
Bi-Lingual Site
Our commitment to the Irish language extends to the internet. To help fuel a growing international interest in Irish, we’ve introduced an innovative Glossary function to our new site, allowing visitors to instantly hear pronunciations of Irish words used in the text. And of course, the site can be read completely in Irish with the click of a single link at the top of every web page.
Downloads, CDs and more
Comhaltas members, journalists and teachers will appreciate the new Downloads section of the site, a one-stop page for entry forms, logos and Comhaltas publications. Visitors can now listen to and order our CDs from our online shop. And students of all ages will appreciate the growing audio and sheet music online library.
About Comhaltas
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the premier organisation devoted to the preservation and promotion of the Irish cultural traditions. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Comhaltas is perhaps best known for its annual “Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann”, in which thousands of talented artists compete for the coveted “All-Ireland” titles in music and song. Our network of branches extends around the world, with hundreds of branches in 15 countries on 4 continents.
Enquiries to: Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, 32 Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin +353 1 2800295 or [email protected]
