Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Baile Mhistéala AGM
The AGM of the above branch was held via Zoom in early February. Nellie O’Brien, chairperson, presided and also in attendance were Kayren Ní Aodha, Lil de Róiste, Ann Fogarty, Mairéad Finn, Anne-Marie King, Liam Allen, Mairéad Finn and Marie Buckley.
Nellie outlined how the branch had tried to keep some activity going despite the stringent Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place over the past 12 months. Special mention was given to Anne-Marie who has co-ordinated Zoom and sent out weekly invitations to members to participate in a weekly session/ class, on a Friday afternoon. Nellie also thanked the various tutors, Lil and Kayren and thanked Liam for his ongoing support and enthusiasm. The younger members who join in weekly, especially Marie Buckley and Odhran Brennan, were also noted.
Mitchelstown CCE is in its sixtieth year in existence as a branch, and it bears testimony to the tradition built up over that time, that we were able to keep the branch alive at this unprecedented time.
The secretary’s report was given by Kayren Ní Aodha. She paid tribute to Anne-Marie for all her work, saying that she had kept the branch going thanks to her IT skills in setting up Zoom, and her determination and enthusiasm on a weekly basis. She noted the high standard of music playing and singing which had been achieved in the week prior to the lockdown, for performance at the St. Patrick’s weekend concert which unfortunately had to be cancelled. She said it was great that the branch had continued to operate, albeit remotely, and recalled the celebrations held for the 40th anniversary of the branch when ‘Between the Jigs and the Reels’, a history of the branch, was published and a gala concert held. It is hoped that when restrictions are lifted, that we will be able to mark this important milestone as a branch.
The following people were elected for the coming year: Cathaoirleach Nellie O’Brien, leas cathaoirleach Mairéad Finn, rúnaí Kayren Ní Aodha, cisteoir Anne-Marie King, PRO Liam Allen, auditor Lil de Róiste, youth officer Marie Buckley and child protection officer Ann Fogarty.
It was decided to hold a Zoom session on St. Patrick’s Day at 8.30 for all interested parties and people involved during the past year will be invited, and encouraged to have a party-piece ready.
Votes of sympathy were passed to the families and friends of Christy Mulcahy, Tom Allen, Catherine Roche, Canon Tim O’Leary, Jerry Reidy and Marie Mellon. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad.
We hope that before the year is out, we will be able to reach out to our community with our traditional music, dance, song and poetry. Hopefully, we will once again be able to recapture some of the opportunities we took for granted over the past six decades, to share our interest and love for our culture.
RIGHT: The Roche family from James’ Street in Mitchelstown who were one of the most talented groups who have ever been associated with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Baile Mhistéala, during its sixty years in existence. In this photo they are pictured with one of their many All-Ireland trophies. Back l-r: Breda, Eilís and Catherine; front l-r: Kevin, Liam, Mary, Kathleen and Tom. Unfortunately both Breda and Catherine have gone to their eternal reward, but their legacy in the memories of the many people they shared their incredible talents with over the years, will be treasured forever.