About
About
The “Martin Donoghue Trad Festival” is named after the great musician from Ballindine, Co Mayo. A major force in traditional music, Martin(1923-89), was taught to play the melodeon from an early age by his mother. A founder member of the Disable Drivers Association of Ireland, Martin was an accomplished musician, composer and member of the ceili band An Tostal. He was also a talented teacher and the current healthy state of traditional music in Mayo can, in part, be attributed to him with past pupils including Seamus Egan from Solas. Hosted by The Ballindine Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann.
Weekly Lessons
Ballindine branch are still very active with a large weekly class in Ballindine Centre under the watchful eye of Bernie Geraghty who is proud of the fact the some of her pupils have now progressed to teaching music in various parts of the country and lecturing in various Universities.
Ballindine CCÉ
The Ballindine Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann.
Music was an integral part of Ballindine in the 1980s due in no small part to the late Martin Donoghue who was teaching music in the surrounding areas.
Ballindine branch was formed in 1988 by a group of like-minded people whose children were attending music classes with the renowned Bernie Geraghty. They decided to contact County Board with a view to forming a Comhaltas branch which would allow musicians and dancers from the area to showcase their ability and talents to a wider audience. Mattie Coyne (RIP) and Seamus Duffy were the county board officers who attended the initial meeting. Some of the original members are still involved today. The first officers of the branch were: Chairperson: Ann Connolly; Secretary: Bridie Conway; Treasurer: Margaret Healy; Auditor: Bernie Geraghty. Others involved included Peggy Tierney, Frances Slattery.
Over the years Ballindine branch have being very successful at All-Ireland Fleadhanna in a wide range of competitions e.g. Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Concertina, Harp, Banjo, Duets, Trios, Piano, Accompaniment, Slow Airs and Ceilí Bands. Numerous titles have been won since 1988 to the present day.
They excelled in one particular competition namely Grupaí Cheoil. They were the first branch in Connacht to bring home an All-Ireland title in the 12-15 age group.
1996 (Listowel) 1st 12-15 1997 (Listowel) 2nd 12-15
1998 (Ballina) 1st U-12 1999 (Ballina) 2nd U-12
2000 (Enniscorthy) 2nd 15-18 2001 (Listowel) 2nd 12-15
2002 (Listowel) 2nd 12-15 2003 (Clonmel) 1st 12-15
2004 (Clonmel) 1st 12-15 2005 (Letterkenny) 1st 15-18
2006 (Letterkenny) 2nd 12-15 2007 (Tullamore) 3rd 15-18
In 1997 some of the original junior members namely Ernestine and Orla Healy joined forces with Grainne Hambly, Darren Mc Callig, Áine Heneghan, Emer Molloy, John and Mary McEvilly to form a Senior Grupaí Cheoil. They won 2nd in the All Ireland that year and came back and won it in 1998 in Ballina.
As well as music Ballindine Set and Figure dancers won many All Ireland titles in Ballycastle under the guidance of dancing teacher Grainne Kelly-Freyne. Bonfires and cavalcades were the order of the day when we returned home on these nights. Music and dancing prevailed in the square and local pubs until the early hours of the morning.
Ballindine branch has had numerous members on Comhaltas Tours in Ireland, Britian and America namely the Geraghty’s, Greens, Paul Clesham and the Healy’s. Ernestine Healy was a member of the 1st Comhaltas tour to play in Stormont Castle.
In recent years Holly Geraghty released her CD Ceolmhar. Currently “The Rambling Rogues” are in the process of launching their debut CD. The members of this group are Paul Clesham, Sharon McCabe, Michelle Rattigan and Marie Hughes. In 2009 Paul Clesham represented Ireland in Instrumental music at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles and won Gold in Traditional Piano and Silver in Classical. Ernestine Healy is also in the process of recording her first solo album due for release in late 2017.
Ernestine & Orla Healy also direct one of Irelands most prolific summer schools, The Meitheal Residential Summer School which resides in Limerick.
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