Recent Events
FullSet concert
On Saturday 26th March the exciting new Trad band FullSet
delighted their audience with a great night of music and songs. It was held in
Marley Parish Centre, promoted by the branch, and one of a series of Concerts
to introduce the best musicians to our members and their friends.
They played a wide selection of tunes interspersed with songs
from Teresa Horgan. Much of the material appears on their recently released CD
which was on sale on the night.
FullSet has a strong connection to Craobh Naithí since two
of their members are branch teachers and Janine learned her music with us.
The committee provided a tasty light supper which ended
a very enjoyable night.
FullSet members are Seán McCarthy - Uilleann pipes, Whistles;
Teresa Horgan - Flute, Vocals; Andy Meaney – Guitar; Michael Harrison – Fiddle;
Janine Redmond - Button Accordion and Eamonn Moloney – Bodhrán.
FullSet can be visited on ‘My Space’ and copies of their CD from ?????????????????
See photo gallery
for more photos
Music for the Feast
Craobh Naithí musicians had a busy time around
St. Patrick’s Day
Ar an 16ú Márta, le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge, d’eagraidh Ceantar Naithí,
Glór na nGael oíche Ghaelach sa Glenside, Baile an Teampaill. Bhí na-oíche
go deo ann idir ceol, amhránaíochta
le líon mór ceoltóirí, roinnt mhaith acu as Craobh Naithí.
On the eve (March 16) as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge we were invited
by Ceantar Naithí to take part in an Oiche Gaeilge. We joined Pio and the House band
for some lively tune sets and songs. Seamus Mac Mathúna sang in both Irish
and English as did Ray McDonald and a delightful evening was spent in happy companionship.
On the morning of the day itself we provided music for the
Irish Mass in St. John's in Ballinteer and after a cup of tea,
for St. Attracta’s Irish Mass.
All the above was arranged by branch Treoraí na Gaeilge
Seán Byrne.
To round the day off the branch held a session in Faugh's GAA
Club when some of its youngest musicians joined their elders playing tunes that
pleased the audience of family and friends.
We also had the pleasure welcoming some new families to the social side
of our activities
See photo gallery
for more photos
Reels on Wheels
Reels on Wheels, held in Faughs GAA Club on Sunday 20th February
was an excellent session with about 60 children from many
branches in the 15-18 age group attending.
Faughs gave a warm welcome with free food included.
The Reels on Wheels will play in Croke Park, for members,
after the Dublin match.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Craobh Naithí musicians
Niamh NicUileagóid
and
Fionn Morrison who were selected for the Comhaltas
Echoes of Erin 2011
Tour of Britain.
Scoil Fhómhair 2010
Every year the branch organizes a weekend to give members
the opportunity to steep themselves in the music. Through classes, a session, a
recital and a concert, they experience learning from – and listening to some
of the finest of traditional musicians. Scoil Fhómhair 2010 took place on 15 - 16th October and was the 15th in the series.
The Opening session in Faughs GAA on Friday night had a large attendance. The guest musicians were Conal Ó Gráda, Paudie O’Connor and Jack Talty.
60 musicians participated in workshops in St. Colmcille’s Community School on Saturday 16th October. Classes in Flute were by
John Wynne (Roscommon) and Conal Ó Gráda (Cork).
In Fiddle by Aoife O’Keefe (Kerry); Conor McEvoy
(Meath) MacDarragh O Raghaille (Meath)
and Jacqui Martin (North County Dublin). The Tin Whistle class had
Maureen McGrattan.
The Concertina was taught by Jack Talty (Clare) and
Mairéad Hurley (Sligo).
Paudie O’Connor (Ballyhar, Kerry) was Accordion tutor.
All the tutors performed in an excellent lunch-time recital enjoyed by the
students and friends.
The Divine Word Parish Centre proved to be an excellent venue
for the evening concert. A fantastic evening of music was enjoyed by an appreciative
audience of approximately 60.
The Chairman and Committee wish to thank Fuaghs GAA Club, the principal of St. Colmcille’s
Community School, The Divine Word Parish Centre for providing help and accommodation
and to the many volunteers during the week-end.
They also thank An Chomhairle Ealaíon,
the Arts Council for their generous Grant.
See photo gallery
for more photos
Green Book Tutorial CD
Craobh Naithi's "Green" and "Yellow" tune books have formed the basis of
our young pupils' repertoires for over 15 years and the development of the tutorial
CD set of the yellow book in 2007 was a valuable learning aid for both our own young musicians
and traditional musicians and teachers in general.
In 2010, Croabh Naithi set about completing this educational suite and
commenced the production of a tutorial CD set to accompany the green book. Recordings are
now complete and we plan to launch the product later this year.
Fleadhanna Cheoil
Craobh Naithi musicians competed with enthusiasm in the Dublin, Leinster
and All-Ireland Fleadhanna Cheoil and are to be congratulated for the manner in which they performed and represented the branch.
Special congratulations to the musicians below for their significant achievements at Fleadh
Cheoil na Éireann:-
| Fionn Morrison |
1st place | U-18 Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs |
| Shane Butler |
1st place | U-18 Bodhrán |
|
| |
| Cathal Ó Crócaigh |
2nd place | U-18 Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs |
| |
| Fionn Morrison } |
3rd place | U-18 Trio |
| Conor Leavy } |
| |
| Philip Denmead } |
| |
| |
| U-18 Grúpa Cheoil |
3rd place | Directed by Michael Harrison |
See photo gallery
for photos
End of Year Concert
It has become tradition in the branch for many years now, the final
night of classes in May is replaced by a concert featuring all the junior grúpai cheoil
and ceili bands that performed in Fleadh Atha Cliath.
Four grúpai cheoil and four céilí bands performed their fleadh pieces
for an appreciative audience of parents, family and friends in St. Colmcille's
Community School. The concert also included performances from singers and dancers.
Once again, a group comprising about 60 of our youngest pupils, many
of whom were performing in public for the first time, took to the stage and performed with
style.
See photo gallery
for more photos
The trip to Kilnaleck
On a beautiful evening on the 4th June, 2010 members of the branch set off from Dublin on a trip to
the Co. Cavan Fleadh. The mission was to deliver the ‘Eddie McCaffrey Perpetual Trophy’. It had been decided to honour
our Branch president’s name by presenting a cup to the Cavan Board for their Under 18 button accordion competition.
It was the instrument Eddie had a great love of.
The coach journeyed through the beautiful Cavan countryside after making use of the new stretch of motorway
that had only been officially opened that very afternoon. After pausing beside Lough Ramor
for a comfort stop and a view over the water we reached Kilnaleck.
The dignitaries had just opened the event and Phillip Clarke (piano –accordionist and MC
for the night) arranged the presentation of the trophy to the Fleadh chairman Betty Ledd by
Eithne, Eddie’s widow and Aoife his grand daughter. The McCaffrey family were well
represented by daughter and husband Gráinne and Paddy Smith), grandsons Oisín and Fiachre;
Eddies sister and brother in law Carmel and Gerard O'Keeffe and Eithne's sister and brother in law Dierdre and Paddy Greene.
Philip had spotted Seamus Mac Mathuna among the recent Craobh Naithí
arrivals and invited him to entertain the audience with a song. Philip then invited our musicians to join with locals
on the stage. Since we equalled in numbers the residents it was a bit of a squeeze but everyone was eventually accommodated
and struck up with some vigorous jigs and reels and the odd hornpipe. To close the official
part of the evening Seamus was invited to sing again but he nominated Aoife (Eddie’s granddaughter) to sing in his place.
Which she delightfully did.
The musicians were then invited to cross the street where Boylan’s would provide
complementary drinks and a lively session ensued.
The schedule had us down to leave at midnight but things were going so well that it was
some time after that the chipper search party were underway. An hour and twenty minuets saw us back at the Spawell
just as dawn was breaking.
We’d like to express our thanks for the warm welcome we received from the Cavan people and hope to meet them again — in August?
And of course to Derek and Padraig for the organisation.
See photo gallery for more photos
Tribute to the late
Brendan McCabe
Craobh Naithí paid tribute to the late Brendan McCabe in the Divine Word Parish
Centre, Marley Grange on Sunday 24th January 2010.
Brendan’s family were joined by friends from Craobh Naithí, The Pipers Club,
Fódhla Céilí Band and other branches who spoke fondly of Brendan and remembered him in music and song.
A framed manuscript of Brendan’s composition,
Hannah’s March, was presented
to Mary McCabe.
You can view Brendan on YouTube with the branch Senior Céilí Band at the
All-Ireland in 2008
See photo gallery
for more photos
Craobh Naithí trip to
New York October 2009
Craobh Naithí’s first branch visit to the United states took place in
October 2009 with 60 members enjoying a fantastic week of music and friendship.
The New York City branch, Craobh Úll Mór, was very supportive
of our trip and worked very closely with Craobh Naithí to bring the whole idea to fruition.
In return for their support, Craobh Naithí presented a two hour fundraising concert in the New York Irish Centre in Long Island City, Queens, on their behalf.
Craobh Naithí also performed at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City,
Manhattan and the performance was filmed by the local Battery Park TV network.
Both events received positive reviews from the New York based Irish Voice newspaper.
Later in the week, we travelled to Pearl River where we delivered a
number of instrumental and dancing workshops to children from the Martin Mulvihill /
Michael Coleman branches, which was followed by an evening of music, song and dance
at the Rockland County Irish American Centre.
Martin Gaffney, PRO for Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann in Cavan and a
Craobh Naithí availed of numerous opportunities while in the New York area to
promote next year’s event.
The trip brought together musicians of all age groups from both sides
of the Atlantic who shared music and stories and created friendships which I hope
will develop and grow.
At the closing session in the New York Irish Centre on the last night of
the tour, Maureen Donachie, Chairperson of Craobh Úll Mor, presented a ‘Friends of Úll Mór’
shield to Derek Johnston, Chairperson of Craobh Naithí and expressed the wish that
both branches maintain contact.
See photo gallery
for more photos