A night of gratitude and celebration for Ballymore Comhaltas Branch
This year Ballymore Comhaltas Branch paid homage to some of its members – three past and three present – to bestow upon them its highest honour. Each had a perpetual trophy in their name presented to the Westmeath County Board. These will be awarded as the top prizes in six different competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí.
Recipients of the honours include Mary McCormack, Billy Martin and Jack McKnight, who were founding members in 1987 and are now deceased. A founding member missing from that group is Rose Longworth, who was honoured with a perpetual cup following her sad and untimely death in Nov 2018. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad go léir.
Current members whose contributions to the branch over the years were acknowledged include Johnny Cleary and Bridie McLoughlin, who are also founding members. Geraldine McLynn is the remaining recipient and she continues to pass on the tradition of Irish music to members of all ages in the spirit in which Comhaltas intended.
On Saturday April 27, recipients of awards and family representatives of deceased members gathered together in Cassells, Low Street, Ballymore. The Comhaltas players assembled there for a session and members of Westmeath County Board, Joe Connaire, (chairperson), Willie Penrose, vice-chair) and Collette Glynn (secretary), attended to receive the special perpetual cups on behalf of the board.
Daniel Boland, Ballymore Branch chairperson, introduced proceedings and welcomed everyone to a special and historical night.
Prior to the presentations of the perpetual trophies, Rose Higgins acknowledged the achievements of two branch members who competed in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 with bespoke trophies.
They were Thomas Breathnach (Walsh), who won the Westmeath competition in Fiddle, slow airs U12, in Castletown Geoghegan last year. He then went on to win at the Leinster Fleadh in Dublin securing a place in the all-Ireland in Mullingar. He is a talented young player and will go far.
The second recipient was John Skelly, who plays the O18 Uilleann pipes. This was the second year in a row that John reached this high level of competition. He is a joy to listen to, such is his command of this instrument. It takes a lot of skill to play the pipes, and it is hoped he will continue to be involved at this level.
Joe McCormack and Nancy Martin received their respective cups for tin whistle (slow airs: 15-18; and seán-nós dancing (15-18) competitions. Jack McKnight’s perpetual cup will go to the bodhrán (O18) competition winner. Johnny Cleary accepted a cup in his honour, to be won by Westmeath Ceili Band (U12) winners. Johnny has always been a great advocate for youth performance, encouragement and development.
The Bridie McLoughlin Perpetual Cup for Trios (12-15) was accepted on her behalf by her cousin and committee member, Bernie Boland. Bridie was unavoidably absent on the night.
These founding members were far-sighted in their approach to keeping Irish culture alive and well in the Ballymore area and have been active members throughout their tenure. We are truly indebted to them.
Geraldine McLynn, the final recipient, was regaled for her huge input to the branch, where she is still an active member. She gives generously of her time to the young and upcoming musicians as well as the more mature members. Niamh Nally, an active committee member, introduced and presented the trophy to Geraldine.
Finally it was the opportunity for the Ballymore branch to say thank you to two members. They were on the Fleadh Executive Committee and played a massive part in the planning and success of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann: Colette Glynn and Padraic Keena. They were introduced and lauded by Imelda Finerty on behalf of the branch.
Padraic managed all the competition venues in both years and was instrumental in ensuring the competitions took place like clockwork. He did this in an efficient and skilful manner that brought his teams along with him.
Colette, as fleadh secretary, was the epicentre of the fleadh. She worked tirelessly in the background, planning, managing and executing all the aspects of a fleadh that aren’t known publicly. She was the ‘what, where, when and how’ of the fleadh.
She was the go to person who had her finger on the pulse. “Indefatigable” is how she was described by Labhrás Ó Murchú, ardstiúrthóir, at the opening ceremony of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023.
Neither are people who seek accolades; however the execution of such a mammoth task by the whole Fleadh Executive Committee cannot go unnoticed and Ballymore has to acknowledge and applaud their own. They were presented with bespoke mementos by the Branch Executive committee (FEC). Joe Connaire, chairperson of Westmeath County Board, and of the FEC, spoke at the end of the night.
He thanked everyone for their input to its success and acknowledged receipt of these perpetual cups on behalf of the County Board. He noted that they are an added incentive to competitors when entering fleadh competitions.
He recounted that starting to play Irish music and becoming involved in the scene at an early age was key to his success in playing, competing and in teaching music. This was an eventful and historical night for Ballymore branch.
Thanks for its success is due to the award recipients themselves and their families who turned out; the musicians who provided wonderful entertainment; Jimmy Cassells, proprietor, for use of his premises and refreshments, Westmeath County Board members, who were there to accept the trophies; Sean Finerty for setting up the sound equipment and Midland Trophies, who prepared all the award trophies.