Tommy Peoples, Breanndán Begley and Laoise Kelly concert

January Newsletter - lots of great things coming up

Happy New Year one and all. Well done to all who turned out on St Stephens’s Day to hunt the wren around Blessington & Ballymore, and for making a great effort to dress for the occasion. Twas great craic and a great way to work off the Christmas dinner. (If anyone has any pictures of the madness, could they send them to Paul on kilteel_eadestown@comhaltas.net? Same goes for all our events. Ta.)

Lots of exciting things coming up (including the great trio below), so listen up... !

Nollaig Na mBan
Traditionally Nollaig na mBan was celebrated  at the end of Christmas 6th Januay as a day of relaxing for all women who had worked hard during the Christmas. We are celebrating it on Friday night 5th January (TOMORROW!) in Kilteel from 8pm to 10pm. We might have a few musical treats, poetry reading finger food etc.. So ladies come along and enjoy yourselves.

Moate Concert
All our music groups will perform in the Moate Theatre on January 20th at 8pm. Tickets are available from The Moate or from Comhaltas. Special guests on the night are Michéal and MacDara O Raghallaigh. Rehearsals for Moate will be next Minday night 8th Jan in Kilteel Hall You will receive text during the week re times for each group

Classes start back on 15th January this will be the final night of term and new term begins on Jan 22nd everyone must register with Mary Ryan by the 12th January to guarantee your place in next years classes.

Sessions continue every Friday night in the Kilteel Inn from 7pm for Children and adults. These are proving to be a great success and we encourage all attending classes to attend to improve their playing skills and to learn new tunes.
Fonn Aniar (Tunes from the West) Kilteel Hall Sat 4th February
Tommy Peoples (fiddle), Brendan Begley (button accordion) and Laoise Kelly (harp) are three outstanding musicians each hugely influenced by the place they come from. Brendan Begley is brimming with the wild and beautiful music of West Kerry. Laoise Kelly from Westport is regarded as the most significant harper of her generation. While legendary fiddler Tommy Peoples is an internationally recognised player and composer. A member of The Kilfenora Ceili Band and The Bothy Band in more recent years, Tommy has performed primarily as a solo musician. Bringing together their three distinct regional styles they join forces for this unique tour. While staying very much within the tradition, each will be pushing their boundaries to the limit – creative sparks are guaranteed to fly. Admission €12 students €6

SCT (Scrudú Ceol Tire)  For the first time 15 of our music students have applied to take their  SCT exam in March this is the graded Irish music exams which was established by Comhaltas and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Preparation for these exams takes place every Friday night in Kilteel.

C.C.E Cill Dara
Congratulations to Dave Carroll who is now County Board Chairman and to George Egan in his new role as County Board PRO and Mairead Ryan as Youth Officer.  County Board meeting will be held in Killteel on Thurs Jan 26th at 8.30pm

Mini Fleadh
It is hoped to have a mini fleadh in Kilteel towards the end of Feruary.This would be a one day event with  competitions for duets and trios under 12 under 15 and under 18. The purpose of this would be to prepare our young students for their County Fleadhs. It would be open to Branch members only.

Trip to Kerry
A trip to Kerry is being planned for early March for the 12 – 15 group  This will be an over night stay and we encourage parents who play music to come along as supervisors.
We would love to take the 15- 18 to Tipp this year but would have to see a little more enthusiasm from them ie attending sessions events etc.  More details in next months newsletter.

Contact 087 2421753 if you need further information on any of the above.

Sult na Samhna photographs

If you have any yourself, please do email them to kilteel_eadestown@comhaltas.net for uploading (same goes for other events).

Newsletter October 2011

Hallowe'en is upon us, and fair play to Sally, our Treoraí na Gaeilge, she has put together some festive material for everyone - see attached.

Speaking of Gaeilge, there's a good glossary of terms here http://comhaltas.ie/glossary that might of interest or even of some use in classes.

The Friday sessions in the Kilteel Inn will continue through the mid-term break - tomorrow and next Friday - without interruption.The early part of the night has been going really well, fair play to Mary - the kids love it so much you have drag them away, and they are also all gaining in confidence and getting better at staying together in the tunes (except when the telly is on!). I can't say anything about the later parts of the evening, as I haven't yet had the pleasure of being able to stay on, but I believe there have been a few very late and memorable nights.

Again, fair play to Sally, here's a few snaps from the early part of the first one back in September. If you have other snaps (especially of the adults) please do pass them on to me.

Speaking of photographs, I am looking for any of who have taken really good ones of any Kilteel related events to send them on to me for possible publication. I have a good few myself but haven't attended everything and haven't always got good shots. Thanks.

Classes resume Monday week, 7 November. Can we ask car owners to tighten up their parking on Mondays so we can make better use of the car park?

The Moate Theatre night will be going ahead in January - date to be confirmed.

Kildare Fleadh will be held in Kilcock on the weekend of 28/29 April. All those involved in groups especially, please take note.

Scrúdú Ceol Tíre (SCT)
The SCT 'classes' will resume in November, with a view to preparing students for the first set of exams in March 2012. They will take place on Friday evenings before the sessions. The cost will be €3 per person, and €5 for 2 in a family, per night.

Sult Na Samhna
Our annual Sult Na Samhna will be held on the weekend 25 and 26 November in Kilteel.

The McCarthy sisters will be our guests for the weekend, performing and leading a session on the Friday night starting at 7.30.

There will be workshops in accordian, fiddle, whistle and concertina and singing from 4 to 6.30 on the Saturday, followed by a gig and a session in the pub. The cost of the workshops is €10, which includes entry into the concert that night. (Filling up fast, so contact Mary ASAP.) The workshops will be followed by a performance at 7 pm by our friends from Tipperary and our 12 - 15 and U 18 group; and then by a concert at 8.30 pm with Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly, joined by the McCarthys.

There will be a singing Session at 5 pm on Sunday in the Kilteel Inn with local singers.

Retirement of Mr John O'Friel
Mr O'Friel is retiring from Rathmore National School and his retirement night will be held in
Kilteel Hall on Saturday 19 November. We need musicians to play for an hour around 8 pm on the 19th, particularly past and present pupils. Can those interested in playing let Mary know ASAP so she can let the school know what numbers we will have. Tunes will be rehearsed at the Friday night sessions from 9 pm.

Playlist for Newbridge concert 2011

These are the tunes the Branch played at the Newbridge College concert during the summer for anyone who is interested in 'keeping up'. You'll find a good few online just by searching or on a site like http://www.thesession.

• Saddle the Pony/ Tenpenny Bit                  
• Stack of Barley 
• Many a wild night/Polka in G                    
• Eleanor Plunket                   
• Off to California     
• Dilín Ó Damhas                             
• Foggy Dew March Hunt the Squirrel/Bonnie Prince Charles     
• Song Trasna na dTonnta                     
• Red Haired Lass       
• Silver Spear /Sally Gardens         
• Little Bag of Peaties /Primrose Lass          
• Road to Garavan/Early in the morning /Peig Ryans Polka    

Newsletter September 2011

September, what! Well, at least now the weather is allowed be autumnal!  

CLASSES Classes will begin again on next Monday week, the 12th of September. Most class times will remain as last year and students will be notified if there is a change in time and venue. (If you are still not registered, get in touch IMMEDIATELY.)

SCT classes will commence in October - date yet to be decided. 

AGM Our AGM will be taking place this Monday coming at 8 pm in the Hall. Anyone interested in joining the committee or helping out with specific activities is welcome. All current office holders will need to present their reports on the year.

UPCOMING Sult Na Samhna will be on November 18th, 19th, 20th and we hope to have the McCarthy sisters again this year, plus Jackie Daly and Matt Crannitch. Details to be confirmed.

We will be linking up with the Lixnaw Comhaltas branch in Kerry this year, and hope to visit them during the year at some stage and also welcome them to Kilteel.

*

EADESTOWN FIELD DAY A great day out was to be had at Eadestown Field Day in Punchestown. A gang of us (see above) went along to provide the musical ambience among the dog shows and spinning wheels. One shower drove us into the bric-a-brac tent, but mostly we were able to play in the open air. Definitely something we'll repeat and develop in years to come.

NEWBRIDGE As Mary has already reported, the concert in Newbridge was a great success. If anyone has pictures would they please send them to me?

Newsletter June 2011

FLEADH CHEOIL

Well done to all who competed in Clane last month.

The list of medal winners is as follows (if I've made any mistakes let me know):

Tin whistle under 9

Gráinne Lavelle – 1st

Tin whistle under 12

Anne-Marie Freeley – 2nd

Cera Kenny – 3rd

Button accordion 12-15

Ciarán McGinn – 1st

Seán Kilgallon – 2nd

Button accordion over 18

Peter Kelly – 3rd

Flute 12-15

Tiernan McGrattan – 3rd

Flute 15-18

Shauna Ní Gallchóir – 1st

Concertina under 12

Cáit Ní Fhlan – 2nd

Gráinne Lavelle – 3rd

Concertina 12-15

Naoise Ní Gallchóir – 3rd

Concertina 15-18

Bronagh Ní Lathaigh – 2nd

Harp 12-15

Sinéad King – 1st

Harp 15-18

Shauna Ní Gallchóir

Piano 15-18

Bronagh Ní Lathaigh

Bodhrán under 12

Samuel Ó Siodhcháin – 1st

Jack Sargent – 2nd

Fiddle slow airs

Niamh Ní Lathaigh – 1st

Duet under 12

Áine Sheehan, Gráinne Healion – 1st

Cáit Ní Fhlann, Máire Ní Fhlann – 2nd

Anne-Marie Freeley, Cera Kenny – 3rd

Duet 12-15

Colm Lavelle, Brendan Pyke – 3rd

Duet 15-18

Naoise Ní Gallchóir, Shauna Ní Gallchoir – 2nd

Bronagh Ní Lathaigh, Niamh Ní Lathaigh – 3rd

Newly composed dance tune

Éadaoin Ní Chearrúil – 1st

Grúpaí ceoil under 12

Kilteel – 1st

Grúpaí ceoil 12-15

Kilteel – 1st

Amhráin Ghaeilge Mná 12-15

Bláithín Ní Laithimh – 1st

Amhráin Bhearla Mná under 12

Anna Delaney – 1st

Emma Martin – 3rd

Amhráin Bhearla Mná 12-15

Bláithín Ní Laithimh – 1st

Chloe Ní Néill – 2nd

Amhráin Bhearla Mná over 18

Mary Ryan – 1st

Amhráin Bhearla Fir over 18

George Egan – 1st

Newly composed English singing

Mary Ryan – 1st

Comhrá Gaeilge Faoi 11

Cormac Ó Néill – 1st

Comhrá Gaeilge Faoi 15

Caoimhe Beirne – 1st

Some Kilteel/Eadestown branch members from Wicklow also competed in the Wicklow Fleadh in Donard this year and well done to them too.

Fiddle under 12

Líle Ní Chonchubhair - 1st

Fiddle 12 - 15

Muirine Nic Róibín - 1st

Flute 15 - 18

Feidhlim Mac Róibín - 2nd

Flute slow airs 15 - 18

Feidhlim Mac Róibín - 1st

Just to mention that those who were placed 1st and 2nd will go forward to the Leinster Fleadh in Portlaoise on July 9th/ 10th, and we wish them the very best of luck.

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OTHER SUCCESSES

The trip to France for some members was a great success by all accounts. Any details/pics/stories folks?

The SCT pilot scheme and associated 'An Ceolann' (finishing up this evening) was a big success too, with classes on theory, history, musicians, new tunes and CD lending; and the programme is sure to continue in September.

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UPCOMING ....

Trip to Tipp for 12-15 Group

This is going ahead on the 25th of June, meeting up with Newport/Birdhill CCE (and possibly another group on the Sunday).

Newbridge College Concert

Rehearsals are underway on Monday nights for the private concert in Newbridge College to be held on July 22nd.

Music on the Hill - 18th June

This is a combined Comhaltas/GAA event, with trad sessions ongoing in the pub from 4pm including Robert O'Connor (bodhrán, flute & whistle teacher at our classes) and, of course, The Biddies!

Kildare Fleadh Cheoil

Note - NO session in Kilteel Inn this Friday.

Instead (& coinciding with Ireland's national live music day, Love Live Music):

Launch

of

FLEADH CHEOIL CHILL DARA

on

Friday 8th April 2011 @ 8.00pm

in

Manzors

The Village Inn

Main Street

Clane

Launch followed by wine reception and Session with visiting and local Musicians

Newsletter March 10

'An Ceolann' introductory session

Our first 'An Ceolann' evening is on tonight at 7.15 in the Hall -

• The children doing the SCT will be meeting Mary & Mairead to make sure they start out at the right level in the programme;
• All adults are meanwhile invited to meet up in the back bar in the Hall at to get the Comhra Gaeilge going
• At 8.15 we'll have set dancing.

Free for 8 weeks to members.

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St Patrick's Night

We're planning our usual night of food, music and fun in the Hall for St Patrick's night. More details will follow shortly but mark it in your diary as a night out in the meantime. Advance booking will be essential to get the numbers right for the food.

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Session in Avon Ri

A Gaelscoil na Lochanna fund-raising night of traditional music, featuring a session led by members of Kilteel Eadestown Comhaltas, is taking place this Friday, March 11th, at 8 pm, in Avon Ri in Blessington. Our youth members from the Blessington Gaelscoil are also playing at the start of the evening. Click here for more details >>>

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Tramway Theatre traditional music night

To mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, Pat Conlon has brought back Peter Browne (uileann pipes), Gerry Harrington (fiddle) and Phil Callery (voice & fiddle) for a night of music at the Tramway Theatre in Blessington. Click here for more details >>>

'An Ceolann' kicks off ..

The Introductory 'An Ceolann' will take place this Thursday, 10th March, starting at 7.15 pm & lasting about an hour (for this first week), at the Hall.

All the children registered for the SCT classes will have a chat with Mary & Mairead so that they can be put into the right level.

Meanwhile, the parents + ANY OTHER ADULTS INTERESTED, are invited to gather in the bar in the Hall to chat over, discuss & sort out the format for the ciorcal comhrá & set dancing. Tea/coffee, biscuits & couches supplied.

*

Just to record that we marked Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh's recent significant birthday with a specially designed & baked cake. (And by the way, Mícheál is special guesting at Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh & Fiona Kelleher's Game of Two Halves gig next Thursday, 10th, at the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan.)

Two items for your attention this week

Our harp teacher, Junshi Murakami, will make an appearance tonight on RTE Two's Other Voices programme (starting at 11.45 pm), as one of the line up for Lisa O'Neill's performance. (If you're not staying up that late, the show can be watched later via the RTE Player.)

Our senior session will take place on Friday in the Kilteel Inn starting at 9.15. Bígí Linn!

Oisín MacDiarmada launches An Ceolann

A very enjoyable evening was had for the launch of 'An Ceolann' and the Kilteel/Eadestown SCT pilot programme.

The evening started with a great monster session for the youth members, featuring plenty of familiar faces but also some new-comers.

Then our guest, Oisín MacDiarmada, spoke for a while about the Scrudu Ceol Tíre before obliging us with a few sets of tunes on the fiddle. We should again thank Oisín for giving up his time to share with us his knowledge of the SCT exams.

The evening continued on with more music and some chat!

NEWSLETTER FEB 18th

Hello everyone,

Just reminding you that you are invited to attend the launch of ‘An Ceolann’ tomorrow night (Saturday 19th) at 7.30 pm in the back lounge of the Kilteel Inn.

Adults & children welcome. Bring your instruments! Tea & sandwiches served.

Oisín MacDiarmada of the group, Téada, will be joining us, to play a few tunes himself, join in our branch session, and talk a little about the Scrúdu Ceol Tíre. See the blog here >>>> if you’d like to see a clip of Oisín in action with Téada in France.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST >>>
If you would like to register your child’s / children’s interest in doing the free of charge SCT pilot programme (10 classes running from March to May, every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 pm in the Hall), please print off the attached form, fill it in & bring it with you tomorrow night.

Music for Senior Citizens:

Anyone available on Wednesday afternoons to join a small group of musicians who will perform for senior citizen groups in the Naas area, in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul please contact Mary on 087-2421753.

Oisín MacDiarmada in action

Just in case you weren't aware of how lucky we are to have Oisín coming to play for us again (he played with Teada for Music on the Hill - Maryann is as persuasive as her mother, clearly):

An Ceolann LAUNCH NIGHT - Saturday 19th Feb

“An Ceolann” the name for our new evening that will include the Scrúdu Ceol Tíre programme for children, as well as set dancing and ciorcal comhrá for parents.

The LAUNCH NIGHT is this Saturday.

Guest musician & SCT teacher Oisín MacDiarmada of the band Téada will be playing tunes and speaking about the SCT in the back lounge of the Kilteel Inn.

Come along at 7.30 pm for music, chat & talks about the SCT & the other activities planned for ‘An Ceolann’.

What is the SCT?

Beginning on 3rd March 2011, formal SCT classes will be run in the Hall between 7 & 9 pm every Thursday for ten weeks. The Scrúdu Ceol Tíre is a 12-level evaluation programme of proficiency in the performance, theory, history and ornamentation of Irish traditional music administered by Comhaltas. For this PILOT PROGRAMME there will be no fees charged, but places will be limited so make sure to register your child’s interest on Saturday night.

Also on the Thursday evenings, the Kilteel/Eadestown Comhaltas is offering parents the chance to join in with some conversational Irish in our ciorcal comhrá or to dust off your dancing shoes with a bit of set dancing. Sign up on Saturday night.

Concert at the Moate Theatre, Naas, 21st January 2011