All About Cork: Comhaltas na Dúglaise at the Munster Fleadh

Comhaltas na Dúglaise was involved in the organising of this year’s Munster Fleadh Cheoil which was held in Cork city.

Concerts, gig rig, street entertainment competitions and the 33 strong pub trail took place in the city centre, while the competitions took place at MTU, Bishopstown.

Branch vice-chairperson Ger O’Driscoll was chairperson of the Fleadh and Tim O’Sullivan was the Chief Steward, with many branch members volunteering for stewarding.

A spokesperson said: “Our branch volunteers, who were everywhere, were so pleasant and some who worked very long hours including some of our younger members did us proud. We received many compliments about our branch, especially the welcome smiles and how pleasant and helpful they all were.”

The branch earned second and third place in the 12 to 18 years Street Entertainment competition at Oliver Plunkett Street.

The two groups played music, sang and danced in a 30 minute slot in the U18 years category.

The Rebel Tunes group were second and Ceol na Sráide were placed third.

Both groups adjourned to the Walled Garden at Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, for the youth session and prize giving ceremony.

Bright and early on Sunday morning, young branch musicians and an Cór Gaeilge were at St Peter and Paul’s Church to play and sing at the Munster Fleadh Aifreann Gaeilge at 10am which was attended by a large congregation.

The celebrant, an t-Ath Seosamh de Nógla OFM Cap, acknowledged the young musicians and said they would be welcome back to play at the Sunday Aifreann any time in the future.

The Drombeg Céilí Band representing the branch won the Senior Céilí Band Competition. Aoibhinn O’Driscoll won the U12 Tin Whistle Slow Airs competition and came second in the Tin Whistle dance tunes. Siún Morrissey won Tin Whistle Slow Airs in the 15 to 18 age category.

Aishling Breathnach was first in the senior miscellaneous and Liam Kennedy was second in the senior Sean Nós singing as Gaeilge.

All now go forward to the All-Ireland finals in Wexford this week.

Aisling Allan was third in whistling and several other members who qualified for the Munsters acquitted themselves very well in their various competitions, including: Ethan Armitage in the tin whistle; Pádraig Fitzgibbon, banjo under 12; Cillian Morrissey, English Singing Under 12; Millie Pitchford, U9-11 and Cathal Ó Loinsigh, U15-18, in Comhrá Gaeilge; Cathal Ó Loinsigh Newly Composed Tunes; Barry Cogan, storytelling; Liam Kennedy, English singing men; four hand Céilí Dancers (Humours of Bandon), and the multi-talented Tim O’Sullivan in the whistling, lilting & bodhrán.

The branch under age grúpa cheoil put on a very polished performance at the gig rig at Elizabeth Fort, on Friday evening in brilliant sunshine.

Several of the branch musicians took part in the music trail in the various pubs and cafes in Cork city on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night of the Fleadh.

Craobh na Dúglaise also paid a musical tribute to their good friend, musician and committee member, the recently deceased Tim Mc Carthy, at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy.

Mr Mc Carthy was a very active and popular member of the branch and played mandolin with the adult grúpa cheoil.

Twenty-two of his musician colleagues played music on the day. A vote of sympathy was passed to his wife, Linda, and family at a branch meeting.

Last Sunday 13 young members of Comhaltas na Dúglaise played a variety of traditional Irish music, sang and danced for an hour on the promenade at Cobh Trad Festival.

They put on a very entertaining show which was greatly appreciated by locals and tourists alike, including a contingent from the visiting liner.

On Saturday several members of the branch took part in traditional music workshops in Gaelscoil Uí Éigeartaigh (Cobh) and played at the library at a session in the afternoon.

Also some attended the concert on Saturday night, all part of Cobh Trad Fest.

A trio from the adult grúpa cheoil will perform with other Comhaltas branches in the Sean Ó Riada Tribute concert which will be presented by Peadar Ó Riada this Friday night on Radió na Gaeltachta and online as part of Féile na Laoch.

Enrolments for the new season of classes will commence shortly. Enquiries to douglas@comhaltas.net

GAA club congratulates All-Ireland winning members

In their weekly message to members and friends of Douglas GAA Club they congratulated the Cork minor ladies football team on their All-Ireland win, especially their own members involved.

In a message to members they said: “Last weekend the Cork minors won the All-Ireland Minor A championship. A fantastic result for all involved. Fully in control in the first half with a score of 3-5 to 0-2 at half-time, the second half saw a fight back from the Dublin ladies but Cork regained the upper hand quickly and full time saw Cork take the trophy on a score of 3-11 to 3-2.

“Well done to the entire panel with a special mention to their manager and Douglas man, Kieran O’Shea and his backroom team, including Katie Nagle and Ciara Murphy.

“Very proud of our two minor players on the squad, Aoibhe Sheehan and Sophie O’Shea. Huge achievement at this stage of their football careers.”

Meanwhile club members Billy Dorney and Derry Holland presented a cheque for €1,000 to Ann O’Hanlon of Douglas Meals on wheels. The funds were raised from Der Keane’s pitch and putt memorial tournament.

“Der was a past driver with Douglas meals on wheels and a very valued lifelong member of Douglas GAA. Many thanks to all members and friends who participated and supported the tournament, and to sponsors who donated spot prizes.

“Also a huge thanks to everyone who attended our summer camps over the past three weeks. More than 150 children got involved over the three weeks. Also a huge thanks to all coaches and assistant coaches who were involved.” The club also reminded members that in line with the GAA Code of Behaviour (underage), any volunteer in the GAA intending to work with children, must have completed the following requirements:

• Garda vetted through the Foireann website. (valid for three years).
• Attend a child safeguarding workshop (Child Safeguarding Level 1, valid for three years).
• Complete the Introduction to Gaelic Games coaching course, (coaches only).

Volunteers include coaches, mentors, supervisors, coaching assistants, appropriate club committee members, facility staff and those organising underage activities, (including camps, trips and social events, or refereeing underage games.

It is a statutory requirement that garda vetting must be obtained and training courses completed before working with children under the age of 18. This includes those working with U18s who may play on senior teams. If you have been garda vetted for any other position outside of the GAA it is not valid for the purpose of the above roles and you must apply for specific garda vetting for the GAA through Foireann.

Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie