Coill Mhór / Cuilmore
Chairperson Julie Langan-Wright Ni Longain
Secretary Liz Hughes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuilmoreCCE
Contact
Liz Hughes,
Kiltarnet,
Newport.
O872113571
cuilmorecce@gmail.com
Branch History
In 1979, Mary Langan brought a group of young children to Castlebar every Saturday to learn to play an instrument under the guidance of Martin Donoghue. A talented musician himself, though handicapped from birth, he taught music on many instruments to children all over South Mayo and North Galway. Soon they were joined by many other children from the Newport area. Then it was realised that a branch of Comhaltas was needed and so the ‘Cuilmore Branch’ was born.
In 1981 Jimmy Langan was the first Chairperson of the Branch ably assisted by Maureen Geraghty, Secretary and Tilly Callaghan, Treasurer. In the first year there were 21 adult members and 23 children.
Seisiúns and Céilídhe were run in the school to finance the branch. The pupils of Cuilmore branch have been winners of many medals at Feiseanna and Fleadhanna. Mairead Geraghty is the holder of an All-Ireland medal on the concertina, Peadar Langan on the pipes and Maeve Geraghty for whistling and lilting. On occasions the pupils travelled to Manchester, Scotland and Wales to perform at festivals.
Mary Langan is still the driving force behind Comhaltas in Cuilmore. Caroline O’ Malley has trained a large troop of set dancers who have won several prestigious titles over the years. Some of those children who went to the lessons in Castlebar every Saturday are now accomplished musicians and music teachers in their own right. They are giving lessons to the children of Newport and Cuilmore. It was a long road but with determination and perseverance comes a great result.
The Branch has hosted three successful Mayo Fleadhanna in recent years. The plan for next year is to have the Fleadh back in the town again and this time even bigger and better.
Secretary Liz Hughes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuilmoreCCE
Contact
Liz Hughes,
Kiltarnet,
Newport.
O872113571
cuilmorecce@gmail.com
Branch History
In 1979, Mary Langan brought a group of young children to Castlebar every Saturday to learn to play an instrument under the guidance of Martin Donoghue. A talented musician himself, though handicapped from birth, he taught music on many instruments to children all over South Mayo and North Galway. Soon they were joined by many other children from the Newport area. Then it was realised that a branch of Comhaltas was needed and so the ‘Cuilmore Branch’ was born.
In 1981 Jimmy Langan was the first Chairperson of the Branch ably assisted by Maureen Geraghty, Secretary and Tilly Callaghan, Treasurer. In the first year there were 21 adult members and 23 children.
Seisiúns and Céilídhe were run in the school to finance the branch. The pupils of Cuilmore branch have been winners of many medals at Feiseanna and Fleadhanna. Mairead Geraghty is the holder of an All-Ireland medal on the concertina, Peadar Langan on the pipes and Maeve Geraghty for whistling and lilting. On occasions the pupils travelled to Manchester, Scotland and Wales to perform at festivals.
Mary Langan is still the driving force behind Comhaltas in Cuilmore. Caroline O’ Malley has trained a large troop of set dancers who have won several prestigious titles over the years. Some of those children who went to the lessons in Castlebar every Saturday are now accomplished musicians and music teachers in their own right. They are giving lessons to the children of Newport and Cuilmore. It was a long road but with determination and perseverance comes a great result.
The Branch has hosted three successful Mayo Fleadhanna in recent years. The plan for next year is to have the Fleadh back in the town again and this time even bigger and better.
