Cullen pulls out all the stops for culture night in community hall

MUSIC and song hit high notes at a special get together in Cullen Community Centre on Culture Night. The captivating sound of traditional tunes rang out as did song and story to a hosting that confirmed the future of our native culture is in the safe hands of a new generation.

Indeed Culture Night is growing in popularity, the Cullen staging part of 40 towns and villages across County Cork promoting the event. And those present in Cullen weren’t disappointed, the sound of music loud and cheery to a memorable hosting.

The occasion acknowledged a series of memorable successes from the past year, including national and world prizes won by the Cullen Pipe Band at the All Ireland and World Piping championships.

Also feted was Katie O’Sullivan, All Ireland Fleadh winner at U12 English Singing with Diarmuid Cronin from Rathcoole, All Ireland winner English Story Telling Age 12-15 and Ballydaly native Rena Lynch, All Ireland English Story Telling champion adding to the enjoyment.

A diverse programme was supplemented by great Seanós dancer Cian Broderick, singer Elle Marie O’ Dwyer and the award winning u15/18 Crossfields Céilí Bands who emerged triumphant in their respective age groups at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Feis Laitiarain representative Geoff O’Sullivan hailed all involved in the concert, maintaining a strong cultural link to the area. “From the first Cullen Feis hosted in 1898 in the Old School at Lislehane; the music, dance and song has continued in an annual hosting that’s made a remarkable contribution to the depth of rich heritage in the area and continues to be a vital promoter of our native culture”, he said. The staging is prospering and forms part of a broader cultural programme including Glór na nGael national awards in the promotion of the Irish language.

BOTTOM LEFT: Freemount’s Ell Marie O’Dwyer delivers “The Creamery Song”

Photo byJohn Tarrant The Crossfields U15 Ceilí Band thrilled to perform at the Cullen Culture Night.

BOTTOM CENTRE: Fear An Ti Jerry Doody delivers a rendition of The Bold Thady Quill

Photo by John Tarrant Cullen Pipe Band members Sean O’Riordan, Liam Casey, Conor O’Riordan, Eamonn Casey and Jane Carmody enjoyed the Cullen Culture Night.

Photo byJohn Tarrant Mahilet O’Leary, Muireann O’Connor, VyHa O’Leary and Oisín O’Connor participated at Cullen Culture Night.

All photos by John Tarrant All Ireland Fleadh winner Katie O’Sullivan receives a presentation from Geoff O’Sullivan, Chairman, Feis Laitiarnan at the Cullen Culture Night.

Picture John Tarrant BOTTOM RIGHT: All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil U12 Singing champion Katie O’Sullivan received a teriffic reception at the Cullen Culture Night.

Rathcoole’s Diarmuid Cronin, All Ireland Fleadh winner in U15 Story Telling ctegory, received a favourable reaction at the Cullen Culture Night.

Photo byJohn Tarrant Eoin Turner from Glantane representing Freemount CCE performed at Culture Night in Cullen.