Heritage Week traditional music and poetry event held in Ballymahon

A packed house greeted the Traditional Seisiúin and local Irish poetry recital at Skelly’s Bar, Ballymahon, recently.

The event took place on Sunday, August 16, as the Ballymahon (Leo Casey) Historical Society — Cumann Staire Bhaile Uí Mhatháin — hosted a seisiún ceoil to mark National Heritage Week. It drew an unprecedented crowd, much larger than anticipated.

It was an outstanding evening with traditional music fans crowded into the bar, filling every seat and spilling out into the doorways as the music got underway — a fine turnout that the organiser Rónán Ó’Ceallaigh said “reflects the town’s overwhelming continued appetite for its own Irish traditions”.

At the heart of the night, leading the session like an orchestral conductor, was renowned musician Geraldine McLynn, with her nimble fiddle playing fingers surrounded by a vast musician team of all ages, steeped in fleadh winners and excellence.

Geraldine’s group of musicians truly anchored the night’s programme, with “Off to California”, “Boys of Blue Hill”, “Sally Gardens”, “McFaddens handsome daughter”, “The Sligo maid”, “The Rossmore jetty”, playing reel after reel, jig after jig.

Well-known local man Willie Kavanagh played the late Sean Ryan’s hornpipes on his banjo, while three ladies from the audience sang a capella. It’s a tradition as old as the music itself, and one that reminded everyone present why these nights matter: anyone may have a song in them, given the chance.

The night wasn’t all about the music, either. Local historian, organiser, and Society Chairperson Rónán Ó Ceallaigh recited na filíochtaí, the poems, of four poets,

Seamus Heaney’s “Midterm Break”; Padraic Colum’s, “An Old Woman of The Road”; Oliver Goldsmith’s “Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog” and John Keegan ‘Leo’ Casey’s “Boating on Lough Ree”.

Heritage Week events like this one are designed to celebrate and preserve local culture, and by that measure Sunday evenings session was a resounding success — good music, good company, fantastic talent, and a room full of friends enjoying a night to remember, together.

The Ballymahon ‘Leo Casey’ Historical Society wishes to thank Pat Byrne for providing his venue at Skelly’s Bar, Seamus Dooley for his assistance on the night, Geraldine McLynn musician expertise and teamwork, and to everyone who supported the night. Further events celebrating the town’s Irish music, history, heritage and culture are in the pipeline.

The organiser Rónán Ó’Ceallaigh added “Further events are in development, each aimed at giving a platform to musicians, singers, storytellers and performers, níl anseo ach an tús”, and Rónán further added “Are you a local musician, singer or performer? Would love to hear from you, if you’d like to take part in future events, get in touch, as always looking to give a platform to the Irish talent on our very own doorstep”.

Coinnigh súil amach (keep an eye out) for details of upcoming Ballymahon ‘Leo Casey’ Historical Society events.

For information email: ronanoceallaigh1@gmail.com