An open invitation to the 50th anniversary of Ballyshannon Comhaltas branch

A three-day programme of events organised to mark the founding of the Ballyshannon branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will take place from Friday, February 10 to Sunday, February 12.

Founded in 1971 the Phil Rooney Branch was unable to celebrate the golden anniversary of its foundation two years ago due to the Covid pandemic. Plans to do so were put on hold due to restrictions at that time, but a great programme of traditional music planned for the 10th to 12th promised to more than compensate for the enforced delay in marking the milestone anniversary.

There is an open invitation to all trad players to come along to the sessions which will take place over that weekend.

On Friday 10th at 9pm there is a seisiún ceoil in Mc Intyre's Bar, the Mall; On Saturday 11th at 11am there is a 'Tunes of the Erne' themed traditional Irish music workshop in Coláiste Cholmcille. Workshops are free of charge and advance registration on EventBrite is required. All levels of ability are welcome and tutors include multi All Ireland champion Lydia Warnock , James Mc Namee, Farragh Bogle and other guests.

Doors open at 7pm on Saturday in Dorrian’s Imperial Hotel for a concert night of traditional Irish music. The first act will be on stage at 7.30pm. A great line-up of traditional talent will include
Seannach, The Maguire Family, Lydia Warnock, Damien and Shauna McGeehan, James McNamee, Senan Brennan and the Gilligan sisters, Seamus Sweeney and friends, Lily Keaney,

The O'Brien Family, Farragh Bogle and Marc Geegan, the Phil Rooney youth session group and lots more. Admission is €10 for an adult and €5 for children with a family concession available. Tickets can be purchased in advance from local Comhaltas members or on the night at the hotel. The night will end with a trad session open to all who wish to play.

Details also on Phil Rooney /Comhaltas Branch Facebook page or by mailing comhaltas.ballyshannon@gmail.com

On Sunday morning at 10am there is a Comhaltas Mass to be celebrated in St Joseph's Church, The Rock. The weekend will conclude with a final Seisiún Ceoil in the Bridgend Bar, starting at 4pm. Again all musicians are very welcome to take part in this seisiún and to contribute to the finale of what the organisers hope will be a fitting tribute to the work of the many volunteers who formed the Comhaltas branch in 1971.

The weekend is in recognition of those who have kept it going since and to all who, through their teaching, have passed on these great traditions to our talented young people and to all who have helped in any way to keep the flame of traditional music alive. If you know someone at home or abroad who is interested in traditional music or who has been involved in the past, please let them know about these events.