Welcome

Our branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann was formed in 1981. From humble beginnings as a branch with only a few members but a very committed committee the branch is now thriving and is one of the the most active branches in County Kildare.

The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip, Co. Kildare

We have 9 teachers working with over 150 pupils every Monday evening. We have classes for all ages and standards in Music and Singing.

Every second Friday we have our "slow sessions" for our pupils and all music learners in the area. These sessions give musicians the opportunity to play with others at the same level as them, and to experience playing with other instruments. We have a beginner session and an intermediate session. 

If you are an advanced player, why not come along to one of our sessions. There is a session every second Thursday in Confey GAA Club, Leixlip. Look at Branch Events on the right to find out when the next Session is happening.

Our pupils have competed at County, Provincial and All Ireland levels in all age groups and all competitions. Our goal is to bring traditional Irish music, song and dance into as many homes as possible in north Kildare.

All of the information about the branch is available through the links on the left hand side of the website, while all of the information about upcoming events is dispayed on the right hand side of the website.


Branch News and Upcoming Events

(Hover mouse over text below to stop the slideshow or click a title for more information)

Date and Time of Event:

Saturday, September 11, 2010 - 09:00

Information:

The branch trip to the Dundalk Regional Centre at the Old Gaol, will take place on the 11th of September 2010. The branch will organise the whole day which will include: the bus journey to and from Dundalk, food and drinks during the day, the activities and the entertainment(concert and/or session).

 To enable the committee to give a correct estimate of the cost of the trip per person and to book a suitable size bus we need to know how many people are interested in going before the 1st of July. The more people that go on the trip the less the cost per person. The trip will be subsidised from Branch funds. Please fill out the following form and send it either by email to leixlip@comhaltas.net or by post to: 32 Primrose Hill, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

 

Click here to download the Form

Date and Time of Event:

Sunday, June 27, 2010 - 20:00

Information:

Irish fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes and American guitarist Dennis Cahill possess a rare musical kinship, ranking them among the most memorable partnerships of our era. Together they have garnered international renown for taking traditional music to the very edge of the genre, holding listeners spellbound with their slow-building, fiery performances.

Martin Hayes and Denis CahillUndoubtedly the greatest Irish fiddler of his generation, Martin Hayes has been an All-Ireland fiddle champion six times over; he was awarded the prestigious 2008 Musician of the Year award from Ireland’s Irish language television TG4, and recently led a group of fellow musicians to sold out performances at the Sydney Opera House in his role as artistic director of The Masters of Tradition.  Dennis Cahill is a master guitarist, whose innovative accompaniment is acknowledged as being a major breakthrough for guitar in the Irish tradition.

This is a unique opportunity to see two of Ireland’s most talented musicians perform in the close and personal setting of Riverbank Arts Centre. Calling all musicians and music-lovers alike, get your tickets sooner rather than later, as there’s unlikely to be a spare seat in the house. Tickets only €22/€20, call 045 448327 or...

Date and Time of Event:

Friday, May 21, 2010 - 20:00

Information:

CCE Leixlip Recital PosterCraobh Bheartla Ui Fhlatharta are delighted to announce their 5th Recital featuring:

Paudie O'Connor & John O'Brien

The recital will take place in the lovely intimate setting of the Leixlip Parish Centre. Admission is €10 including a wine reception at the interval.

About Paudie & John:

Paudie O'Connor hails from Ballyhar, Co. Kerry. His music is heavily influenced by the fiddle music of Sliabh Luachra with his style of accordion playing inspired by three great accordion players of the region - Johnny O Leary, Jimmy Doyle and John Brosnan. In 2005 he released a critically acclaimed album “Different State”, featuring dance music and airs from his native Sliabh Luachra. 

John O'Brien comes from a musical family in Artane, Dublin. As a teenager he began playing uilleann pipes learning from his older brother Mick O’ Brien. His influences include Seamus Ennis and Tommy Reck. John has...

Date and Time of Event:

Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 13:00

Information:

The Kilteel-Eadestown Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is delighted to be hosting the Kildare for the second year in a row. They have organised a fantastic line up of events for the week leading up to the Fleadh. The events include:

  • Set Dancing Céili
  • History Trail
  • Recital
  • Singers Night
  • Session
  • Aifreann Tradisúinta
  • Fleadh Competitions

                and.....

  • Altan in Concert

Click here for all information about Fleadh Cheoil Chill Dara.

Date and Time of Event:

Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 10:00

Information:

Workshops in music, song and dance come no better than in ‘Ceardlann Earraigh’, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, in this its thirteenth consecutive year. Established by the Kildare County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, this year’s event takes place on Saturday March 27th 2010. It promises to be the best to date with the following all-star line up of tutors:

  • Fiddle – Tony Linnane and Michelle O'Brien.
  • Concertina – Noel Hill
  • Banjo – Brian McGrath.
  • Flute – Sarah Jane Woods.
  • Accordian – Danny O’Mahony.
  • Tin Whistle – Seán Ryan & Méabh Ní Lochlainn.
  • Bodhrán - Junior Davey.
  • Traditional Singing – Edel Vaughan
  • Steps and Sets – Gerard Butler

The day starts in Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge at 10.45 with registration and grading. The classes follow from 11.30am to 2.00pm. There is a short break from 2.00pm to 2.30pm, during...

Date and Time of Event:

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 20:00

Information:

Lúnasa treat music lovers to Irish Show in advance of St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Traditional music lovers are in for a treat this March as the highly regarded trad group Lúnasa come home for one Irish show in Co. Kildare. On Tuesday March 16th, to kick off the St Patrick’s Day Celebrations, Lúnasa will play at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge for one night only.

Lúnasa are internationally acknowledged as being the finest traditional Irish instrumental band of recent times.  In October 1997, Ireland’s all-star quintet Lúnasa released their début CD Lúnasa, it became an immediate best-seller in Ireland, topping Hot Press’ folk charts and nominated one of the year’s top ten by the Irish Echo in the USA.

 Since that auspicious beginning, Lúnasa has become one of the most sought-after bands on the international Celtic music scene, winning many awards including a nomination for Folk Album Of The Year in the BBC Radio 2 Awards and Best Traditional Album of 2005 in Irish Music Magazine.

 Lúnasa’s sixth album Sé was released in 2006.  One...

Date and Time of Event:

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 19:00

Information:

Felim O Raghallaigh

A memorial concert for Felim O Raghallaigh will take place on Saturday the 20th of February at 7pm.

Venue: Diocesan Hall, Loman Street, Trim, Co. Meath.

Admission: €10

Performing at the concert will be the following:

  • Mulcahy Sisters
  • Naomh Padriag Ceili Band
  • Danny O'Mahoney
  • Geraldine Callaghan
  • McGorman Family
  • and more ...

As you can see from the above line-up, this will be an unmissable night!

Date and Time of Event:

Friday, January 22, 2010 - 20:30

Information:

An Anúna concert is a true "show", a combination of movement, elegant costume, candles and ethereal, and haunting music sung in a unique way.

Anúna perform material spanning a thousand years of history, exploring and redefining three ancient types of Celtic music: Suantraí (lullaby), Geantraí (happy song), Goltraí (lament).

 Originally associated with the Riverdance phenomenon, Anúna's own unique performance style and ethereal, haunting music have garnered critical acclaim and an enormous international following over the last decade.

 The group easily slips between Celtic/World music and Classical genres, and has collaborated with a diverse range of international artists including Elvis Costello, Sting, Michael Crawford, Barry Manilow, and Sinead O'Connor to name just a few.

Their music, usually performed unaccompanied, draws from the rich Celtic tradition and includes works written or arranged by the groups' founder, composer Michael McGlynn.

 Riverbank Arts Centre presents Anúna for one very special night of music and song at the impressive location of St. Conleth's Church, Newbridge on Friday 22nd January, 8.30pm. See...

Information:

 Our Monday Evening Classes will resume on the 18th of January in Scoil Eoin Phoil.
 
Unless you have been told otherwise by your teacher, all class times will remain the same for this term.
 
Re-registration is required by all pupils so please fill out the registration form at the bottom of the branch letter you recieved on the last day of the Autumn/Winter Term and bring it with you to the Classes. All information about the classes is available by clicking the following link:
 
Click here for more information on our Monday Evening Classes
 

Information:

Due to current weather conditions and for health and safety reasons, classes on Monday the 11th of January 2010 are cancelled.
Classes will recommence on Monday 18th January 2010.
Please check back here for futher updates.
Click here for more information on Monday Evening Music Classes

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