Comhaltas group putting the ‘hup’ in Ballyhoura
Now that restrictions are almost entirely lifted, the Comhaltas Group based in Kilfinane are raring to go. Established in 2015, Ballyhoura CCÉ are now up to about 70 members who mostly continued their classes online during Covid. Earlier this month, the group took to the streets for the first time since 2019 for the St Patrick’s Day festival, and are now looking to encourage others to join them.
Last year, in early October they once again hosted the Joyce Brothers Music Festival and for the first time the group collaborated with the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival, an ideal opportunity to round off a hard day’s walking with a good night’s craic.
JOYCE BROTHERS FESTIVAL
Ciara Flanagan, one of the founders of the group back in 2015, is originally from Lismore, Co. Waterford and developed her skills and love for the music at the famous Booley House in Ballyduff Upper.
Ballyhoura CCÉ took over the running of the Joyce Brothers festival in 2018. Last year’s Joyce Brothers festival was welltimed and hugely successful: “It just snuck in around the restrictions,” Ciara said.
“When Teresa O’Doherty asked if we would take on the running of the festival, we said yes with open arms. We wanted to make music the focus of the collection, and make it accessible to everyone, and with our newly formed Comhaltas branch, it was great timing.”
The festival, which used to be held in Kilmallock, was rich in historical talks and features on the life of the Joyce Brothers. A concert and workshops also featured over the course of the weekend.
With the festival’s move from Kilmallock to Kilfinane, the festival changed in form and is now more of a musical celebration, though still continues to include talks and historical tours. Renowned traditional musicians feature over the course of the weekend.
The collaboration with the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival is set to continue for 2022, with the dates set already for 6th-9th October. During the festival, musicians enjoy workshops based around the music, and not just the individual instruments. 2022 won’t fail to impress as Ballyhoura CCE were successful in securing funding from the Arts Council.
In 2021, renowned fiddle player Liam O’Connor and singer Donal Clancy delighted visitors with a concert, while locals Liam Flanagan and Derek Hickey didn’t fail to impress with some great music from the Joyce collection, as open sessions took place across the weekend.
Outside of festival season, the group meet weekly on Sunday mornings at O’Shaughnessy’s Bar for a family-friendly session, with the fourth Saturday night of every month earmarked for Kelleher’s Bar for the older members.
They also played a big part in Kilfinane’s recent parade with live trad music on stage and in pubs throughout the day.
The Comhaltas group have a well-stocked bank of musical instruments for use by students. In the past, they have hosted two hugely successful county Fleadhanna Cheoil, and also made its mark with the summer seisúin, ‘Hup na Houra’.
Currently, classes are held every Tuesday, with dancing to resume shortly. Anyone interested is asked to contact Ciara Flanagan on 087-4548501 or follow Ballyhoura CCÉ on usual social media outlets.