A new branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) has been established in Belleek.

Renewed vigour in such a venture is largely down to the launch and success of the Erne Music Club which celebrated its fifth birthday in December.

There are also Irish dancing classes with Donnelly School of Music at St Davog's PS as well as set dancing in the Hotel Carlton, céilís at Mulleek Community Hall and sean nós and fiddle classes also at the Hotel Carlton.

CCE headquarters in Dublin is providing national funding and Fermanagh is included with counties Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Rosscommon in a meitheal set up last November to boost activities in the north west.

Vince Hearns, administrator of the meitheal, chaired the meeting of the Erne Music Club branch of CCE and invited Seams McCormick, chairman of the meitheal, and Paddy O'Rourke, chairman of the CCE County board to join him.

The meeting which took place in the Hotel Carlton included members of Erne Music Club and the Donnelly School of Music along with the vice-chairman and assistant secretary of Fermanagh County Board.

Throughout the meeting, the history and significance of CCÉ, its structure and role were all discussed. Music education was deemed a target for the new branch, something that would be reinforced by the successful existing channels already in place.

Meanwhile, the first Erne Music Club seisún of 2007 will take place on Sunday, 4th February in the Fiddlestone from 5.00-7.00pm. Fiddle classes for improvers start in the Hotel Carlton on Saturday, the 3rd February at 12 noon. For more details you can contact Ronan on 0035386375. His sean nós dance workshops continue in the hotel the same day at 2.00pm.

For more information on the Belleek branch of CCÉ you can contact the chairman Bernie McNulty on 686 59081.