News
Eric Mitchell: the loss of a great inspirational figure from our branch
Sunday 15th Sept 2013: It was with great sadness that we learned the news of the death this morning of our Honoree President Mr Eric Mitchell and we offer our sympathies to Helga and the rest of Eric’s extended family in this their time of grief.
Eric was a quiet humorous man always on hand with his grey paolo soprani accordion who would give leadership when necessary during our many sessions and concerts, be it if called upon devising and preparing a clever playlist that suited the maximum amount of musicians on hand or the driving force in many the session set. He was always positive and a very constructive participant in the Comhaltas meetings and rehearsals which he attended. For the lesser experienced musicians including myself he was a great source of encouragement and would go out of his way to help where ever he could, be it in a session where you are struggling through a tune you had led, such was his knowledge of the music it would be hard to find a tune that he was not familiar with and so it was a comfort to know that he would be playing along in the wings giving you a dig out. Eric’s recent health problems would have gotten the better of many of us and we would have easily used it as an excuse to lie under but not this man as many the time he would turn up towing his button accordion on a trolly such was his enthusiasm and his determination not to let anybody down, his life should be an inspiration to us all.
It has been an honor to have known you Eric and our lives have been so enriched by that experience, may you rest in peace.
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Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Doire 2013
Congratulations to all our members and friends who competed in fleadh cheoil na hEireann.
We have good reason to celebrate all our local stars,
Róisin Ní Bhriain: Whistle (Faoi 12) champion,
Eabha Fulton: 3rd in the Songs in English (Ladies) (Faoi 12),
Grace Ni Mhuineog: 2nd in the Harp Slow Airs (Faoi 12),
Shauna Mc’Garrigle: Newly Composed Songs in English champion
and our friends in Ballyboy, Killeagh and Edenderry who also enjoyed successes.
See link to view the full listing of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 results (courtesy of the Comhaltas.ie website)
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Fleadh Cheoil Laighean 2013
Congratulations to Kathleen O’Brien and Jackey Hennessy, both of whom were awarded Certificates of appreciation for service and dedication to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the promotion of Ireland’s Native Culture primarily through the dedicated promotion of the Irish language.
Congratulations to Eabha Fulton who came first in the Comórtas Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) / Songs in English (Ladies) U12
Congratulations to Rosin O’Brien who came first in the Comórtas Feadóg / Whistle U12
Congratulations to all our members listed directly or indirectly in the document below
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Also congratulations to all our friends in the various branches through out Offaly who were successful, we often have the honour of you joining us on stage from time to time which is something that we really enjoy. One can be assured that there will be a very strong presence from Offaly in Doire for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
See link to view the full listing of the Fleadh Cheoil Laighean 2013 results (courtesy of the Leinster Fleadh website)
This group (Grupa Cheoil Lar Tire 12-15years) below were unfortunate in that they did not get placed this year as they performed really well on the day but such was the standard it wasn’t to be this year, but if they stick together who knows what next year will bring maybe a performance in Sligo during August ?
Well done to the Fleadh committee for doing an excellent job in putting on a very efficient but relaxed fleadh.
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Official opening of Leinster fleadh 2013
The fleadh was officially opened on Saturday the 6th July in Edenderry with Rahan Comhaltas providing the entertainment on the Gig rig, well done to all who performed brilliantly on the day.
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Trad for Trocaire 2013
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Joe Monahan Tribute concert
A big thank you to all the performers, our sponsors and everybody who helped out on the night of the Joe Monahan Tribute concert which took place in the Tullamore Court hotel on Sunday the 30th of June, due to your help the show was a great success. We also launched a special CD in honor of the man, entitled “Joe Monahan Tribute” on the night which sold like hot cakes, if you haven’t managed to get your hands on a copy and would like one, you can pick one up for 6 euro’s or two for 10 euro’s which are available at our summer Seisiun’s that take place in Charleville castle every Tuesday night starting from the 2nd of July and running until the 13th of August. Also Danny Campbell made a DVD of the Tribute concert and if you would like a copy (15 euro each) you can contact Mary on 086 1790366
On the night we had performances from High Reel, ruaile buaile, Comhaltas Echoes of Eirin group who toured of north America with Joe at the helm as MC back in 2011, Brendan and Eileen O’Reily, Scor Encore finalists; Na Fianna music group, Denise Flaherty, Sheila and Drigin Gaffey and of course present members of Rahan Comhaltas.
Sponsors who made it possible to put on this free event by giving their services free of charge for which we are very grateful:
Tullamore Court hotel kindly gave us the use of their facilities on the night, Brosna Press who printed our promotional material,
Martin Goulding Sound who did a great job on the night, Danny Campbell who recorded the night for us, Sennheiser, Ultimate Image hair saloon and some committee members for the spot prizes.
The composers: John Gaffey, Sean Monaghan, Tommy Stone and Aidan Grennan
Some of the many pictures from the night below.
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Seisiun 2013
Some pictures from the Seisiun’s this year so far.
Visiting Lann Eala Ceili Band which came 3rd in the 2013 Leinster fleadh U12 competition
Brian and Jane Whittaker
Lann Eala Ceili Band which came 1st in the 2013 Leinster fleadh 15-18 competition
Laura Kelly stepping it out to the music of Rahan CCE
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Fleadh Cheoil Uíbh Fhailí 2013
Congratulations to all our students, members and friends who successful in the Offaly fleadh which is was held in Kilcormac last weekend and now progress to the Leinster which is being held on 7th – 14th July in Edenderry, all your hard work is paying off 🙂
Below; Karen presenting the Joe Monahan perpetual cup to Mrs Mahon who received it on behalf of her sons Donal and Cormac from West Offaly CCE who won the Duets 15-18.
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Set Danceing Classes
The hugely successful winter Set dancing classes have come to an end as Summer is just around the corner (well we have to be optimistic) with the last class taking place Thursday the 18 of April.
It was great to see such strong numbers regularly attending as we had in the region of 4 full sets most nights which is maximum capacity of the hall and the a big thank you to Norah Carroll for her flawless teaching and good humoured banter which added to the craic had every night.
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Scór Sinsir, the road to Derry
[01-04-2013]
Unfortunately the road to Derry has come to an end for the Shamrocks Scór set dancers in the Leinster final which took place in Ballymore on Easter Sunday, although they didn’t put a foot wrong on the dance floor, which was a testament to their preparation but such was the strong competition that the eventual Leinster champions now have a very real chance of success in the All Ireland final and best wishes to them.
Also Best wishes to Tony Coolahan who was sucessful in the Recitation and the Clara Ballad group who now go on to represent Leinester in the All Ireland final which takes place in Derry on the 27th of April
[29-03-2013]
Best Wishes to the Shamrocks Scór Set Dancing team who are due to compete in the Leinster final this Sunday which take place at 3pm in Ballymore, Co Westmeath
[12-03-2013]
Congratulations to the Shamrocks Scór set dancers who now progress to the Leinster final which takes place in Ballymore, Co Westmeath on Easter Sunday (March 31st), well done to our other groups who unfortunately were not successful in Clonaslee last Sunday such was the strong competition on the night.
[06-03-2013]
Congratulations to the Shamrocks Scór team (of which we are proud to share many members) who were successful in Set Dancing, Solo Singing, Instrumental Music and Novelty Act disciplines during the county final last Saturday in Clara and now progress to the Leinster semi-finals which take place on Sunday the 10th of March in Clonaslee.
Mian leat go léir rath ar an mbóthar go Doire in Aibreán.
Shamrocks also won the Pauline Bracken Cup for Offaly Club of the year
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