Bernie Mc Nulty chairperson of Erne Music Club, Belleek is very excited about the forthcoming traditional music weekend that the branch have planned. Bernie a tireless volunteer in community work set up this successful Music Club in October 2001.
It began with six children and now there are 50 who attend weekly traditional music classes and are taught by the musical expertise of Ronan Regan, Gary Fitzpatrick and Laura Mc Gorty. To celebrate the club being five years in existence there was a concert in December 2006 at which Dessie O Halloran was special guest – this night was thoroughly enjoyed by the Music Club members, many who played on stage for the first time, their families and the wider community. Monthly traditional music sessions take place in the Fiddlestone Pub to allow the children to play in public and gain confidence – Masterclasses to gain experience from other tutors are arranged on an annual basis and for the past two year's Bernie has also organised regular Sean – Nós dance workshops.
In January 2007 the Club joined CCE ( Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann ).With the help of some funding from CCE, the experience of a successful concert in 2006 and Bernie at the helm a plan was put in place for Erne Music Club to have an annual event. With the support and contribution of the Gordon family last year's event celebrated the musical life of local fiddler player John Joe Gordon. This weekend held from 7th – 9th December '07 was very timely as John died on the 8th December 5 years previous. The weekend was officially opened by John Joe's school mate and fiddle player Ben Lennon. It surpassed all expectations and from it has now become an annual John Joe Gordon traditional music weekend.
This year's event is from 11th – 14th December and will see many musical legends in Belleek – some for the first time. It promises to be an action packed weekend of music, song and dance for all traditional music lovers. It starts on Thursday 11th with a Fiddle Recital in the Hotel Carlton – there will be many wonderful fiddle players including Ben Lennon, Danny Meehan, Aidan O Donnell, Damien Mc Geehan, Ronan Regan, Livinus and Andrea Gordon and headliner Josephine Keegan. Josephine who lives in Newry is now 73 years old and has five solo fiddle albums and three books of tunes she composed.
Friday sees a fiddle workshop for intermediate players upwards – this workshop with Ben Lennon and Ronan Regan will teach tunes that John Joe Gordon composed. Later in the evening local historian Johnny Cunningham will give a unique lecture on Castle Caldwell and it's traditional musical heritage – followed by a performance of the "Drowning of Denis Mc Cabe" In 1980 John Cunningham, then headmaster of St. Davog's Belleek enlisted the help of Margaret Mc Ginley of Ballyshannon, the noted Irish musician, singer and composer to compose a suite commemorating the death of Denis Mc Cabe. (Margaret Mc Ginley, was the mother of Sean Mc Ginley, the actor) "The Drowning of Denis Mc Cabe" was recorded for radio and television and won the Junior prize at the prestigious Ballyshannon Opportunity Knocks Festival. The script was written by John Cunningham and Margaret Mc Ginley composed the music except for one tune which was the work of Kevin O'Loughlin, the famous Belleek accordionist. On Friday 13th at 9pm in the Hotel Carlton people will have the privilege and rare opportunity of seeing this performance reinacted and original video of 1980.
The Christmas lights are also being switched on in Belleek on Friday evening.
Saturday is another busy day starting at 2:30pm with Ronan Regan teaching Sean – Nós dance ( Ronan competed in the Sean – Nós dancing competition at the recent televised Oireachtas in Cork and is a well saught after dance teacher both in Ireland and abroad).Rosie Stewart one of the key organisors with Bernie of this weekend-is in the Thatch Coffee Shop at 5:30pm.With ideal surroundings and mulled wine Rosie's lecture on her local musical influences is a must for both singers and listeners.
This lecture will be followed by a traditional singing session where Sean Mone and Joe Mulheron are special guests.
The highlight of the weekend is the John Joe Gordon Commerative Concert which will be excellent value for money at only £8 admission. Some of those appearing at the concert are Erne Music Club,The Gordon family – children and grandchildren of John Joe's ,The Mc Keaney sisters ( Rosie Stewart and her equally talented sisters Kathleen, Peggy, Anna and Mary ) Belcoo Mummers , Dessie O Halloran and Tommy Peoples.
Each night material of all artists will be for sale including John Joe Gordon's CD "The Humours of Glendart".
On Sunday visiting musicians will play at a private function for the residents of Shannagh Nursing home. For those that still have energy left the Assaroe Ceili Band will play for a mixed ceili in the Wark Hall at 3pm. The grand finale which may not finish until Monday takes place in the Fiddlestone Pub where all musicians are welcome. Traditional Pub sessions will take place throughout the weekend.
All in all – a weekend second to none has been planned by Bernie with the help of Rosie Stewart and other Belleek CCE committee members.
Bernie is an Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing in the HSE West and enjoys the many hours she contributes to community life.
Annually she fundraises and works voluntary for many different groups - in Lourdes with the Raphoe Diocesan Pilgrimage, for Ulster Cancer, Mencap, Macmillan Cancer Care and North West Hospice – last year she trained and completed a trek for Mencap in Vietnam and more recently and closer to home – she and Rosie ran a very successful County Music Night in Kiltyclogher, Co Leitrim – the money raised from that night was equally divided between a local cancer patient and Macmillan Cancer Care. Bernie is also a voluntary driver for Rural Lift Transport.
Most recently she was nominated by Belleek and District Partenership for her contribution and input to Erne Music Club – she felt very honoured to receive a certificate at the Fermanagh Rural Community Network Awards for "An Individual who has made a Difference"
