Branch Info
Portglenone Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE)
What Is Comhaltas?
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Society of the Musicians of Ireland) is an Irish organisation which is dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland.
The goals of Comhaltas are:
To promote Irish Traditional Music in all its forms;
To restore the playing of the Harp and Uilleann Pipes in the National life of Ireland;
To promote Irish Traditional Dancing;
To foster and promote the Irish language at all times;
To create a closer bond among all lovers of Irish music;
To co-operate with all bodies working for the restoration of Irish Culture;
To establish Branches throughout the country and abroad to achieve the foregoing aims and objects.
DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
We are non-profit making group and depend on voluntary help and support to run our weekly classes, activities etc. If anyone is interested in getting involved or is willing to give of their time, please feel free to enjoy a greater role in our activities and regard this as an open invitation to get involved.
YOUR BRANCH NEEDS YOU!
IF INTERESTED PLEASE SPEAK TO ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER.
1. Our local Branch
Portglenone CCE is our local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann based in Portglenone. It was formed to promote traditional music, song and dance within the local and wider area. Today it has in excess of 100 members and has grown to become an integral part of our local community.
As a Branch we:
- run weekly classes in a wide range of instruments and song, currently held in St Mary’s Primary School;
- organise weekly Wednesday Junior seisiúin - Everyone welcome
- hold various music workshops, where our pupils will receive expert tuition;
- provide musical entertainment at various community events;
- organise Branch trips for our members (Dun Uladh)
- organise the annual County Fleadh (Fleadh Chontae Aontroim), when required;
The efforts and hard work of both tutors and young people can be seen in the unqualified successes at Feiseanna and Fleadhanna over the years resulting in numerous All Ireland medals, a magnificent achievement indeed.
Since its inception, the Branch has produced a number of solo Ulster and All Ireland medallists and with the formation of Cois Locha Grúpaí Cheoil in 1992 and Crosskeys Grúpaí Cheoil and Céilí Bands over the years, more and more young people have had the opportunity to perform and bring additional honours to the Branch.
But there is more to our Branch than participation in competitions – it is all about promoting participation and enjoyment in music and song - an opportunity for all ages!
Our Branch could not survive without the help and support of other organisations.
Portglenone CCE is indebted to Mid and East Antrim Council for its help and support over the years. We have also developed strong links with Roger Casement's GAC and Geraldines Camogie Club and are grateful for their support, in particular for the use of the clubrooms for meetings, practices, parties, Seachtain Na Gaelige etc.
2. Weekly Classes
Classes are held weekly in St. Mary's Primary School, Portglenone every Monday night from 7pm-8:30pm - All musicians, of any standard or age, are welcome.
Tuition is available in Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Bodhrán and Traditional singing in both Irish and English (depending on numbers).
Pupils are encouraged to enter for competitions in Ballymena Feis, The Yew Tree Feis and the County Antrim Fleadh.
Doors open at 6:50pm.
Classes begin at 7:00pm and finish at 8:30pm
There are two terms within the Comhaltas year, winter and spring. At the start of each term a Registration sheet detailing the term dates and term fees will be provided.
The Committee would ask (if possible) that all pupils pay for the full term of classes in advance. This will ease the queues and speed up roll call at Monday night classes. Payment should be made on the first week of classes or as soon as possible afterwards.
