| There was a large and very enthusiastic attendance at the weather delayed annual general meeting of the Monaghan County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the Corcaghan Community Centre last week. The delegates gave an especially warm welcome to the delegations from the newly established Monaghan Town and Aughnamullen branches. Following the adoption of the minutes, County Secretary Mary Kirke delivered a comprehensive bilingual report on the previous year's activities which was well received by the meeting. She highlighted the very well run and successful County Fleadh which had been organised in Scotstown. The County Secretary also congratulated all the Comhaltas members who had taken part in the various fleadh competitions. She especially congratulated Colm McMahon, George Mc Adam and Tomasina McGinnity from Tullycorbet branch; Fintan Hackett from the Éamonn Ó Muirí branch, Scotstown; the Ceoltóirí Drumlin Céilí Band drawn from the Carrickmacross and Tullycorbet branches and the four Emyvale Céilí Dancing groups who all brought All-Ireland titles back to the county. Mary Kirke stressed that successful or otherwise all the competitors were a credit to the county and she hoped that they appreciated that the enjoyment from playing traditional music was more important than winning. She also recalled the sad loss of the late Margaret Rice from Ballybay who had been a great stalwart and supporter of traditional music down through the years. In her address Chairperson Pauline Rooney thanked the delegates, volunteers and fellow county board officers for all the support they had given her over the last year. In particular she singled out the great level of co-operation and sense of togetherness which she had experienced among the branches during her first year as Chairperson. It was a feature of Monaghan Comhaltas which was to be valued as other organisations lacked this camaraderie to their cost. While Pauline Rooney congratulated all the winners at the county, Ulster and All-Ireland fleadhanna, she paid a special tribute to the dancers from the Emyvale branch. It was often forgotten, she said, that Comhaltas was not just about promoting traditional music and song but also about our native Irish dancing. The Chairperson concluded by encouraging the members to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the foundation of CCÉ in 2011. The election of officers followed with the following positions filled: Chairperson: Pauline Rooney, Vice Chair: Martin McGee, Secretary: Mary Kirke, Treasurer: Francis McMahon, PRO: Paul Cadden Auditors: Monica Treanor and Breen Jackson, Irish Language Officer: Mackie Rooney Ulster Delegates: Jimmy Connolly and Mackie Rooney In addition Mary Kirke and Nellie Fisher were nominated for the positions of Ulster Secretary and Ulster Vice Secretary respectively. For 2011, Comhaltas have organised the County Monaghan Fleadh to take place again in Scotstown from 2 to 5 June with the competitions on Saturday 4 June. Other events are: Tydavnet Feis and Comórtais Gaeilge on 20th March in Scotstown; the Féile Patrick Byrne in Carrickmacross from 14 – 17 April and Scoil Cheoil na Botha during October in Scotstown. It is also hoped that there will be a workshop weekend in Corcaghan in the new year. |
Monday, 20 December 2010 18:16