Celebration of National Folk Theatre founder in Gormanston

A celebration in honour of Fr Pat Ahern, Ard Ollamh Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019, held at the City North Hotel, Gormanston, last night was described as a fitting tribute to an individual who has been to the fore in the promotion of Irish traditional music, not only in his native Kerry but around the world.
Best known for his role in founding Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, which has presented a summer season of performances for over half a century, Pat Ahern is a former Chairperson of CCÉ in Kerry who produced the first three Fleadh Nua in Dublin (1970-1972) and the inaugural Comhaltas tour to North America. Speaking at the banquet, Ard Stiúrthóir Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú noted Pat’s influence on the presentation of our culture on the stage.
Following a presentation, Pat was joined on stage by a number of his friends in music. His brother Seán delighted the audience with his renditions of An Clár Bog Déil and Róisín Dubh. Musicians included Nicky and Anne McAulliffe and Mike O’Shea who were part of Siamsóirí na Ríochta in the 1960s. Ahern’s long-term friend and colleague, Antoin MacGabhann, who assisted Pat in the early Fleadh Nua also joined, as did Louth native Adèle Commins on piano who was herself influenced by the late Brendan Gaughran of Dundalk, another great friend of Ahern. The group also included current Musical Director in Siamsa Tíre, Tom Hanafin and former Siamsa musicians John Fitzgerald and Michelle O’Sullivan, who have featured on a number of Comhaltas tours, also performed. 
Patricia Hanafin and Jimmy Smith led the dancers who gave a wonderful demonstration of the Munnix style of dance. Ahern was himself a pupil of the great North Kerry dancing master Jeremiah Molyneaux, known as Munnix. Patricia and Jimmy are part of that tradition, having learned from Irene Gould and Phil Cahill, who was another Munnix pupil. They were joined in the dancing by a younger generation who had in turned learned from them including fear an tí for the evening Daithí Kearney, Patricia’s daughter Bláthnaid Coakley, Sharon Phelan, Bernie MacGabhann, and current Siamsa cast members Noreen Lynch, Anne O’Donnell and Justin Walsh.
In accepting the honour, Ahern made reference to a number of well-known figures in the story of Comhaltas with whom he made his journey in music. Former President of Comhaltas, Diarmuid Ó Catháin, and former Ard Ollamh Mícheál Ó hÉidhin, were key figures in establishing and developing the movement that is Comhaltas today. 
After the formalities of the dinner, many of the performers gathered to continue the informal music-making that reflects their lifelong dedication to Irish traditional music, song and dance and the influence and leadership of Fr Pat Ahern.
Fr Ahern will contribute to the symposium on Culture and Community on Friday at 1.30pm in the Library and the mass on Sunday in St Peter’s Church at 11am will include liturgical music composed by Ahern.