COMHALTAS Ceoltóirí Éireann Coalisland/Clonoe branch will be visiting a new venue on Friday, March 2 when the monthly seisiún will be held in the Naomh Colum Cille Clubrooms. Late last summer Naomh Colum Cille ensured a place in Tyrone and local sporting history when they became the first hurling club in the county to open their own premises. The local Comhaltas branch welcome the addition of a new venue to their list and look forward to the night.
Naomh Colum Cille members were to the fore on the Sunday of last year's Ulster Fleadh when they were involved with the stewarding of the marching bands, despite being heavily involved with the final stages of work at the pitch.
Hurling and hurlers are featured strongly in song especially those from the Munster tradition. You can expect to hear of The Boul Thady Quill and Cork's Own Christy Ring, which are firm favourites with the hurling fraternity, and club secretary Damien Mór may be coaxed into providing a few bars. A call goes out to all musicians, singers and those in search of a good night's craic to come along to Páirc Clochóg which is situated on the Washingbay Road, halfway between Annaghmore Crossroads and Aughamullan PS. Proceedings get underway at 9.30pm with a warm welcome awaiting all.
DIFFERENCE
As with every Coalisland/Clonoe branch seisiún, something or someone new comes along and makes a difference to the night. This happened at the February seisiún in the Fianna Club when there were some Norwegian visitors who entertained the crowd with a selection of Scandinavian folksongs.
Cathy Potter travelled up from Belfast and added a new dimension to the music with the introduction of a harp which blended in well with the other 20-strong musicians. There was plenty of help on hand to ensure that this welcome but somewhat uncommon addition to a seisiún, had a safe passage (upstairs and downstairs).
On a final note, the branch is hosting an evening of traditional music, song and dance in CRAIC Theatre on Friday , March 16, St Patrick's Eve, at 8.30pm. The performers on the night will consist of young musicians from the branch music class, dancers from the Cummings School and others drawn from the up and coming young talent in the area. More details next week.
JUNIOR SEISIúN IN DUN ULADH
There will be a junior seisiún in Dun Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre, Ballinamullan, Omagh on Sunday, March 4 from 3-5pm. This is aimed at giving those who are new to the world of traditional music an opportunity to come together and play their tunes with others of similar ability and experience, in a relaxed atmosphere.
Omagh branch will be hosting this event which is not exclusive to Comhaltas members and all those learning or contemplating starting to play traditional music will be made very welcome.
