Comhaltas musicians in London cultural exchange

The Tlaghta branch of Comhaltas, incorporating Dunderry, Athboy and Rath Cairn and named after the ancient Hill of Ward which is central to the three areas, recently took part in an exchange with the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London. London resident Máire Ní Mhéalóid suggested the exchange and Catherina Casey, manager of the centre, arranged with a joint workshop with the resident music teacher in Hammersmith, Brendan Mulkere from Co Clare. Thirty-three members including 15 young musicians travelled, led by Ena McKiernan, cathaoirleach of the branch. The visit to London included a reception and workshop with Brendan Mulkere, a set dancing workshop, a céilí with music by Seánie McDonagh and his band, followed by an impromptu session until the early hours. The young people in the group went on a midnight tour of London. Sunday morning Mass in the centre, mainly in Irish, was celebrated by Fr Brown from Dundrum, Co Tipperary, and in the afternoon, a concert displaying the talents of the visitors was a huge success. This was followed by an impromptu session in a local hostelry. The trip was a celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of the branch and the twentieth anniversary of set dancing in Dunderry Hall. There are now 135 young people learning music on Monday and Friday nights in Athboy Community School, adult set dancing classes in Dunderry Hall on Thursday nights and a sean-nós dancing class in Athboy"s St James" Hall on Tuesday nights. The branch runs a monthly céilí in Dunderry Hall on the third Saturday of the month, and the next céili is on 21st March with Brian Ború Céilí Band.