Events
20th Anniversary Concert
To mark almost to the day of when our branch was reformed back in 1995, we are hosting the below concert to celebrate in style and we are hoping as many of our past members can join us in the celebrations, we are also extending the invitation to you as this will be a night to remember!
Here is some background for anybody who may not already be familiar with the lesser known of our guests who are stars on the international stage 🙂
Dermot Byrne:
one of Ireland’s finest traditional accordion players, for many years a member of Altan, Dermot performed, recorded and toured extensively with the group along with artists like Donal Lunny, Steve Cooney and Stephane Grapelli, bringing the beauty and joy of traditional Irish music to audiences all over the world. In other collaborations he has performed with Frankie Gavin, Sharon Shannon, and The Stunning along with many other outstanding Irish and international musicians.
For his contribution to Irish music Dermot was chosen as TG4’s Traditional Musician of the Year 2013.
Dermot will be joined by Australian Steve Cooney on guitar and Tyrone man Trevor Hutchinson on bass. Both Steve and Trevor have impeccable traditional music credentials with extensive touring, recording and performance experience alongside the greats of Irish traditional music.
Steve Cooney:
Australian-born guitarist, bassist, producer and didgeridoo player Steve Cooney is one of the most dynamic modern performers in traditional music. He has played with Stockton`s Wing, Sharon Shannon, Seamus Begley and Sinead O’Connor along with many other groups over the years. He’s also a fine composer, known mainly for the reel Skidoo which was originally recorded by Stockton’s Wing and since recorded by Sharon Shannon amongst others. He’s a noted songwriter too and his songs have been recorded by artists including Altan and Mary Black.
Trevor Hutchinson:
From Cookstown, County Tyrone, Trevor played bass with the Waterboys from 1986 to 1991, recording Fisherman’s Blues (1988) and Room to Roam (1990), the latter featuring Sharon Shannon.
Later he made three albums with the Sharon Shannon Band: 1991’s ‘Sharon Shannon’, 1994’s ‘Out the Gap’, and 1997’s ‘Each Little Thing’.
A much-in-demand musician, Trevor has also recorded with Moving Cloud, Altan’s Dermot Byrne, Eric Bibb, Máire Breatnach, and Eileen Ivers of Riverdance fame. Trevor and the original Waterboys re-formed in 2013 to celebrate the 25th anniversary and tour their legendary album ‘Fisherman’s Blues’.
Back in 1997 he co-founded his current traditional group Lunasa.
Also some links to a couple of recordings
Dermot Byrne & Altan | Gradam Ceoil 2001 | TG4.tv
Flo Blancke,Dermot Byrne,Bourrasque,Harp, accordion,Horo Gheallaidh,accordion,BBC Alba
Steve Cooney and Friends in Concert
And of course we will be treated to some fun and frolics by the much loved Rahan Drama group who have brought us some hilarious productions in the past, namely , “The Maiden Aunt”, “Love Thy Neighbour” and “Awake in the West”
Cast and directors from the “A Wake in the West” production
Admissions: €10 per Adult, €5 per OAP / Child and €30 per Family
Tickets can be purchased from the following locations:
(1) at reception of Tullamore Court Hotel
(2) or for the moment contact Mike on 086 3883156 or Sinéad on 086 8246046
Map to venue can be found below
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Seisiún 2015
Seisiún – A Music Trail through Ireland which is one of the longest running Summer shows of its kind – now upwards on 35 years in existence– Seisiún attracts increasing visitors from overseas and nearer home with a show that captivates its audience and welcomes their participation. After the staged show of Irish music, song, dance and storytelling, light refreshments are served during the short break ‘sos’. Then the second part of the evening’s entertainment unfolds and guests are invited to join in the Seisiún experience, taking to the floor as they wish … with a step, tune, song, or story.
The facilities at this venue are very favourable to people of all abilities, as the only steps one will encounter are those associated with dancing. The craic starts each night at 9 PM, so Bígí Linn ag Seisiún 2015
Here are some pictures from our first night.
Aoife and Shauna great little dancers
Brian with the audience in the palm of his hand
Grace absolutely flawless on the flute
I wonder if the humour is on her now Johnny ?
Samantha giving it socks as usual
Fianait and Orla in action to tunes courtisy of family and friends
Joe and Shauna stepping it out seanós style
Nothing like a seige of ennis to wrap up the night.
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Fleadh Cheoil Laighean 2015
Congratulations to all our members and friends who took part in Fleadh Cheoil Laighean. While not belittling competitions, the most important fact about them is that once the competitor is satisfied with their own performance then they have already won and they don’t need an adjudicator’s opinion to tell them how well they performed because that is all it is ‘an opinion’, so whether you come away with a medal or not one thing guaranteed is that your performing confidence has improved and medals don’t carry much weight in seisiúns.
That said Rahan Comhaltas did quite well in the results stakes, see our results listing below so congratulations to you all and we will all hit the Tar Road to Sligo in August be it competing or supporting and we will have a mighty time in the process.
[gview file=”http://www.rahancomhaltas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Rahan-CCE-Results_Leinster_released.pdf” save=”1″ cache=”0″]
Some pictures captured over the weekend
U12 Grupa cheoil together with their coach Deirdre Byrne
U12 Ceile band champs
Under 15 1st and 2nd place bands from Rahan
Conor Rice with U15 Ceili band trophy
Rosín ní Bhriain 12-15 Flute champ & she is through in the Comhrá too
Offaly U18 half set mixed in action
Shauna, Joe together with friends Darragh and Abigail and teacher Sharleen
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Our Offaly Rose
Wishing our own Denise Bracken the very best of luck in the Rose of Tralee regional finals
which take place in Portlaoise this June bank holiday weekend from all your friends here in Rahan Comhaltas
Congratulations to Denise Bracken our newly crowned Offaly Rose.
Denise with the 2014 Roas of Tralee Maria Walsh
Denise may you be wearing the Rose of Tralee sash by the end of August
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Music and Dance Lessons
Music and Dance classes last term before Summer break.
The lessons will reconvene on Friday April 17th after the Easter break and so we are down to the last 2 weeks.
Remember that instruments which are on hire are due back on Friday the 24th after class.
Term 3
Class 1 Fri – 13th Feb Class 5 Fri – 20th Mar
Class 2 Fri – 27th Feb Class 6 Fri – 27th Mar
Class 3 Fri – 6th Mar Class 7 Fri – 17th Apr
Class 4 Fri – 13th Mar Class 8 Fri – 24th Apr
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Set Dancing lessons
Set Dancing Lessons final class before the summer is taking place Thursday 26th in the GAA rooms, Tullabeg.
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Workshop wrap-up Open Seisiún
To wrap-up the great day which the Traditional Irish Music and dance Workshop promises to be,
We are inviting everybody to Clonmore house hotel for an informal seisiún which will be kicking off from 7:45PM where we will be joined by many of our tutors from earlier for a mighty nights craic.
Bigí Linn
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Seisiún competition
Hey everybody lets kick off Seachtain na Gaeilge on a lively note
This competition takes place on Sunday, March 8th from 7pm. Group size should be 4 to 6 persons. Each group will be asked to perform for 45 min – one hour and each session group will be assigned a performance location in Tullamore. These assignments will be made by the Rahan Comhaltas organising commitee.
You can download entry forms below:
Registration forms to be emailed to James at jameshogan2
Entries to be submitted by Wednesday
Adjudication
The judges will not be made known to the musicians and will comprise both qualified adjudicators and members of general public.
Judging criteria: Only Irish Traditional music is acceptable for performance in this competition, variety within the performance is also welcomed, through the medium of song, recitation, dance etc. Other factors which will be noted by the adjudicators are variety, blend of instruments, interaction between performers, humour, spontaneity and general entertainment value.
Tar ar agus bheith linn ar feadh píosa craic
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