‘The Dawn’ finally breaks for the all conquering Shandrum Céilí Band
THE magnificent setting of St. Mary’s Parish Church in Buttevant was the venue on last Saturday night for the launch of ‘ The Dawn,’ the debut CD of the all-conquering Shandrum Ceili Band.
The band are the current holders of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Ceilí Band title, and their new 15 track disc is packed with jigs, reels and other tunes.
A capacity attendance, who gave the band a rousing reception, heard the band play to its fullest potential in the acoustically perfect surroundings of the ancient church, which was built in 1829. The band was welcomed to St. Mary’s Church by parish priest Rev. Father Eugene Baker, who said he was delighted to introduce the band for the evening’s performance.
For band leader, local man Alan Finn, it was the perfect homecoming as the band demonstrated that they are worthy champions of the coveted title, which they retained in Ennis last August having first won it in 2016.
The band, who are members of the Freemount Comhaltas, was representing Cork in the All-Ireland final and they will be bidding for three-in-a row this August when they compete again in the All-Ireland Fleadh in Ennis. It was the third time a band from Freemount Comhaltas branch won the All-Ireland, the first being the Allow Ceili Band in 2007.
Among the audience in Buttevant was Alan’s grandmother, Mary (Maisie) Finn of Dromdowney, Mallow, as well as Japanese exchange students Satoshi Aoki, who is based in Ennis, Yari Kigawa, who is learning English in Galway, and Saki Sano from Tokyo, who was visiting her friends. All are fans of Irish traditional music and are huge fans of the Shandrum band, particularly Yari, who plays drums in her ceili band back home in Tokyo.
The performance of the Shandrum band was supported by dancers from Boherbue, who are the current Scór na bPaistí Cork County champions, and there was also a sean nós dancer performing on the night.
Since retaining their All-Ireland title last Augst the Shandrum band has played for President Michael D. Higgins at Arás an Uachtarán for the State commemoration of the 1916 Rising. They are also very much in demand all over Ireland and have also toured to France.