GOOD RESULTS FOR LOCAL COMPETITORS AT COUNTY FLEADH   You are in · RoscreaOnline · Community · Features

The Roscrea Branch of Comhaltas hosted this year’s County Fleadh and once again the organising committee can give themselves a huge pat on the back.

The Roscrea Branch of Comhaltas hosted this year’s County Fleadh and once again the
organising committee can give themselves a huge pat on the back. By all accounts
attendance numbers were up on last year and this was helped by some good weather.
The County Fleadhanna have changed over the last 10 to 15 years with more emphasis
now being placed on competitions rather than events on the streets which are found in
provincial and All Ireland Fleadhs. The Fleadh week kicked off for the branch on Monday
Night with a Tráth na gCeist with quiz master Liam Doran.

Tuesday Night we had the Singers Club with Fear an Tí Tadgh Ó Meachair. Wednesday Night we had the long awaited CD launch and by all reports it has been well received by all in attendance at the launch. The Branch would like to thank Mr. Paddy Duffy for doing us the honour of launching the CD on the night. There are still copies available and it is hoped to get them into local shops. There are 19 tracks on the CD, so there is great value for money. The CD contains some inspiring tracks written by three generations of the Cummins Family and have never been aired before, there is also new compositions from Kathryn Brown and Theresa Larkin and also on the album is a new piece by up and coming composer Colm Brussells. This piece could yet end up as a sound track for a film or T.V. series, such is the quality and one must not forget the members who contributed to make this album so good. One has to remember that after all each contributer who participated on the album is an amateur musician or singer - well done to all concerned.

The McDonagh Pipe Band from Templemore led the parade to open the Tipperary County Feladh which took place in Roscrea last weekend. Members of the band are pictured here with noel Coonan TD and Donnchadh Ó Cinnéide

On Thursday Night John Brown launched his second book.  It was officially launched by well known singer Nora Butler to a packed house.  It has to be acknowledged that John and his Family left no stone unturned in the preparation of the event.  A wonderful night of entertainment with all tastes catered for.  A special word of thanks to Fear an Tí for the night Pat Flanagan for a great job. 

On Friday Night we saw the official launch of the Fleadh which kicked off with Joe Barry and the Templemore pipe band who marched from the Credit Union Offices to the Damer Court Hotel.  This was followed by the All-Ireland winning Scoraíocht show and everyone was truly entertained.  Then Branch Chairman Tim Maher welcomed the large attendance and invited Ard Runaí of Comhaltas Tomás Ó Maoldhomhnaigh to say a few words.  Tomas spoke about how Comhaltas has changed over the last 60 years and he congratulated the branch on reaching 50 years of unbroken membership.  Tim then called on Tadgh Ó Maolcatha, Chairman of the Munster Council to say a few words.  Tadgh said he always likes coming to Roscrea as everything runs well and he also wished Roscrea well on their 50 years and said it was nice to see a full week of events.  Tim then called on Pat Loughman County Chairman to officially open the Fleadh.  We then had presentations of medals to the winning Scoraíocht group this was followed by two unsung heros awards which went to Ann Feehan and Dick Conroy. 

At the official launch of the County Fleadh which took place in Roscrea last weekend, Dick Conroy pictured left received a special award in recognition of his tremendous contribution to Roscrea Comhaltas over the years.  Tim Maher Chairman Of Comhaltas presented the award.

Pictured at the official launch of the Tipperary County Fleadh which took place in Roscrea last weekend were L/R: 

Pat Loughman, Tomás Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Tim Maher,Donnchadh Ó Cinnéide and Tadhg Ó Maolcatha.

Competitions were held on Saturday and Sunday and listed are the local competitors who advanced to Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in Dungarvan Consairtín u/12 1st place Áine Ghliasáin, Isabelle Ni Chuanáin 2nd Feadóg Mhór Fionn Malla, Daniel Coonan 1st in Whistle Airs & Newly composed tunes and 2nd in u/15 Trios with Laura Egan & Katie Ryan, Katie Ryan 2nd English ladies singing u/15,Danielle Ní Bhuadhaigh 2nd u/15 Feadóg Mhór Foinn Malla, Diarmuid O Riain 1st Drumaí & Bosca Cheoil, Máire Ní Shíodaigh 3rd Fiddle & Fiddle Slow Air 1st in Duet with Jim Egan & 2nd Trio with Jim Egan & Darragh Carey Kennedy; senior, John Brown 2nd Newly composed song, Kathryn Brown 1st Whistle 2nd Flute 2nd Rogha Gléas,U18 Breffni Nic Giolla Phádraig 2nd Flute Airs, Darragh Carey Kennedy 1st in U15 Banjo, Mandolin, Rogha Gléas & 1st in Duet u/15 with Colm Slattery, U12 Grupaí Cheoil Damer B 2nd, U15 Grupaí Damer 1st, u18 Grupaí Damer 1st, Sinsear Grupaí Ceoil 1st, U18 Bannaí Ceoil Brian Boru 1st, and u9 Whistle Caoimhe Ní Fhlannabhra, Last week’s results from Offaly Fleadh - Cian Hanamy u18 1st in both English & Irish singing, Lilting, Slow Airs Whistle & qualified in Comhrá Gaeilge, Conal Hanamy 1st U15 in Irish singing, Lilting, Whistle Airs, 2nd English Singing also qualified in Comhrá, Conor Bracken 1st in U18 Flute Slow Air, Mouth Organ.  Well done to all who go forward to provincial fleadhs.  History was repeated on Saturday Night when the Fleadh Céilí was held in the Abbey Hall - the first Fleadh that the branch held in Roscrea was in 1964 so 48 years later the scene was repeated.  A large crowd was in attendance.  There were praises all round for the venue, the dancers declared that the floor conditions were the best they had encountered for many a year and also the acoustics in the hall were superb everyone agreed that it would be a wonderful venue if there were some small improvements made.  Many thanks to all members who made this venture a success also to the staff and patrons of the Damer Court Hotel and the staff in the Abbey Hall and to Ger O’Meara who supplied sound and lightning over the week - without your help it could not have been undertaken.  Finally congratulations to Kathryn Brown on her election to Ard Comhairle as National Youth Officer.  Best wishes on your period in office.

The launch of the 2012 Tipperary County Fleadh took place in the offices of Roscrea Credit Union on Wednesday evening last.

A large crowd gathered in the Credit Union to hear a number of excellent speeches and most importantly details of the week long series of events which will take place from Monday May 14th right through to the Fleadh weekend itself, concluding on Sunday May 20th.

Pictured at the launch of the 2012 County Fleadh which will take place in Roscrea from May 14th – 20th were

L/R:

Liam Doran, Patsy Treacy, Brian King, Donnchadh O’Cineide, Carol Thompson, Dick Conroy, Tim Maher, Patrick Kennedy, Pat Loughman, Deirdre Bergin, Nora Troy, Joe Troy, Lucy McCarthy, Pat Flanagan & Anne Feehan

Chairman of the organising committee Tim Maher opened the proceedings. Tim reminded those present that this was a very special year for Roscrea Comhaltas who are celebrating fifty years since the organisation was formed.  A number of events have already taken place to commemorate the achievement and Tim Maher was delighted to remind members and supporters of Roscrea Comhaltas that plenty more celebratory events are planned in the weeks and months ahead.  Tim Maher said it was perhaps fitting that Roscrea would play host to the 2012 County Fleadh and he said that he had no doubt that the organising committee would do a great job.  Tim Maher thanked all those in attendance for supporting the official launch and he gave s special word of thanks to Roscrea Credit Union for making the arrangements for the evening.

Brian King Interim Manager of Roscrea Credit Union and Secretary of Roscrea Chamber Of Commerce said it was a privilege for the Credit Union to be involved in the launch of this year’s Fleadh.  He said that over the past elven years alone the Credit Union has participated in three county fleadhs and two Munster Fleadhs and will always be on hand to support local groups such as Roscrea Comhaltas despite the harsh economic conditions that we all find ourselves in.  Brian said it was a honour for Roscrea to host the County Fleadh and as the Chairman of the recently elected town enhancement group he said it was events like the County Fleadh that would help bring some life back to our streets and back to local businesses who are doing the best they can despite all the obstacles that they must deal with.  He wished Comhaltas every success and praised the organising committee for putting together a week long Clár of events that will make May 14th to 20th very exciting for the town of Roscrea.

Pat Loughman, Chairman of The Tipperary Comhaltas County Board said that it was a great achievement locally for Roscrea Comhaltas to be celebrating fifty years in existence. Pat said the Fleadh was important especially for the young people who use the Fleadh on a yearly basis to showcase their many talents. Pat said after all the practising it is important that the youth get an opportunity to play in public which will encourage them to keep playing, singing and dancing which is good for all concerned.

Tim Maher then gave a breakdown of the events for the Fleadh week which can be broken down as follows:   

On Monday the 14th of May a Tráth na gCeist bilingual table-quiz for primary school children hosted by Liam Doran will take place.  Also that evening transition year studnts will presnt a project fosusing on the meaning of townland names in Roscrea. Fáilte. On Tuesday the 15th May a Singer’s Club in Damer Court Hotel (Grants) hosted by Tadhg Maher will take place at 8.30pm and all are welcome. On Wednesday the 16th of May at 8.30pm the Launch of “Óg ‘s Aosta”, a CD recorded by Roscrea Comhaltas members, featuring solos and group items will take place. The CD commemorates the music of the past 50 years in Roscrea and also features newly-composed material from local musicians.  A fabulous night of music, song and dance with many tracks from the CD being played by those who recorded them.  Copies of the CD will be on sale on the night at only €10 per copy. On Thursday at 8.30pm in the Damer Court a miscellaney of story, poetry, music, song and dance to launch John Browne’s second book “Wandering Back & Forth” in which the memories of the past are recalled once more by those who experienced them, will take place.  John’s first book sold out in a very short time and is no longer available.  This new book is already heavily booked and will soon be unavailable too.  Don’t be disappointed; order your copy in advance from: John or Cáit at “Orchard View”, Ballycleary, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Phone: 087 9185705 / 0505 47215.  Friday to Sunday are extremly busy days and Tim Maher summarised them as follows.

FRIDAY, 18th May
7.30 pm Templemore Pipe band will march from the Credit Union to Roscrea Castle where they will give a short recital.
8.00 pm Damer Court Hotel. The  recently successful ‘Scoraíocht’ show will be performed
9.00 pm Oscailt Oifigiúil followed by informal ‘seisiún’ (Damer Court Hotel).
9.30 pm  Singer’s Club – a long established tradition associated with the Fleadh, will be held in Phelan’s “The Market House” – Fear an Tí – Jim Kinsella.

SATURDAY, 19th May
10.00am  U-12 and 12-15 Music & Singing Competitions (Coláiste Phobal)
 Also ‘Ionad na Gaeilge’ at Coláiste Phobal.
2.00 pm  Junior Set Dancing Competitions (Damer Court Hotel (Grants))
2.00 pm – 6.00 pm Street entertainment in Castle Street.
7.00 pm Senior Set Dancing Competitions (Damer Court Hotel (Grants)
7.30 pm   Aifreann na Fleidhe (Fleadh Mass) with music from local Comhaltas members.
9.00 pm Céilí in Abbey Hall with Ger Murphy and Ken Cotter
9.30 pm  Singer’s Club – Phelan’s “The Market House” – Fear an Tí: Tadhg Ó Meachair
SUNDAY 20th May
8.00 – 12.00.  Mass and church services with traditional flavour (check times)
2.00 pm  15-18 & Senior competitions in Coláiste Phobal, Ros Cré.
2.00 pm   Ionad na Gaeilge, Coláiste Phobal, Ros Cré
2.00 pm Display of Coláiste Phobal Transition Year project on Roscrea Townland Names
2.00 pm  Comórtas Speisialta do dhaoine mí-chumasaigh (a local project).