Ann is new comhaltas president

A Kilmainhamwood woman is the first female to have been elected national president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE).
Ann Finnegan of Altmush, Kilmainhamwood, who was elected for a three year term at National Congress in Monkstown recently, is the first woman president in the organisation’s 64 year history.
In 2003, her late husband, Tony was elected President but unfortunately, he took ill and died before the completion of his first year in office.
This is also the first time for a husband and wife to hold such a prestigious position in a major national organisation.
Ann (nee McDermott), who is a native of Kilmainhamwood, has been at the coalface of traditional music, song and dance in Meath for nearly 40 years.
She and Tony were founder members of the O’Carolan branch of Comhaltas in Nobber. O’Carolan was born in Spiddal ,Nobber and it was always a huge ambition for the couple to erect a monument to him in his native village. The monument which is located in a very prominent position at the entrance to Nobber village was the culmination of many years of fundraising and hard work.
In 1988, they held the first O’Carolan Harp Festival which is now in its 28th year. During the years of the festival, all the top traditional groups have played in Nobber – The Chieftains, Altan, Frankie Gavin, Kilfenora Ceili Band,Ragusand others.
The couple also established the Meath Harp Academy in 1993, which is now internationally recognised.
The local CCE branch conducts classes in various instruments on a weekly basis in the Library in Nobber.
Ann and her good friend Anne McDowell have been regulars at Meath, Leinster and All-Ireland Fleadhanna for many years now.
Ann and Tony had five children, Ronan, Aidan, Dearbhail and Emma and the late John, who over 20 years ago tragically died during a car rally, when he was only 25.
Dearbhail is a professional harpist and runs the Meath Harp Academy from her home. She has played for both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and at the UK’s House of Commons.
CCE was founded in 1951 with the Bishop of Meath Dr Kyne as its first patron. Its objectives were and still are the promotion and preservation of traditional music,song and dance.