Comhaltas Ceóltoiri Éireann

Tom Finucane Branch

Rochester, New York

Samhain

agus

Nollaig

2015

In This Issue:

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann

1

Concert & Ceili

2

Halloween ceili photos

3

Irish Diaspora 4

Irish Day photos

5

General Meeting Report

6

Club Schedule

7

Films & Ads 8

Officers 9

Local Sessions

10

Newsletter

November/December 2015

An organization dedicated to the advancement of

traditional Irish music, language, dance and

culture

Branch website: www.irishrochester.com Facebook: rochester irish musicians association

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of

Irish traditional music. We’re a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches

around the world, and we’ve been working for the cause of Irish music since the middle of the last

century (1951 to be precise). Our efforts continue with increasing zeal as the movement launches itself into the 21st century. https://comhaltas.ie

The Tom Finucane branch is your venue for sharing the joy of Irish music, song, dance, culture, language with each other and with

the community. TIME TO RENEW MEMBERSHIPS

The local branch is composed of volunteers that work to bring interesting events to

Rochester. You can help by becoming a paid member of Comhaltas, volunteering to help organize and produce events, or just send

contributions to the local branch.

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 2

What is a ceili dance? Ceili dancing (pronounced “kay-lee”) is Irish social

dancing. It is very much like an Irish square dance

or like Contra dancing, except with more complex

footwork: there are a few basic steps in ceili

dancing, and each dance combines these steps in

different ways with a caller and Irish music. This is

the sort of dancing you may have seen in the movie

The Titanic. Many dances involve a partner, or are

in groups of three or four. Some dances are in a

large circle, some in lines with couples facing, some

in groups of three or four.

Do I need a partner?

No. Although many of the dances involve a partner,

there is no need to bring one.

Do I need to know the steps first?

No. All ceili dances listed have a brief instructional

period at the beginning for newcomers to learn the

basic footwork. Newcomers are welcome, and you

do not need to have any prior experience to have a

great time.

CEILI November 21, 2015

Beginning at 8 pm

McGinnity’s, 534 West Ridge Road

Admission: $5 for Comhaltas members

(Rochester or Buffalo); $7 for nonmembers

LIVE MUSIC BY THE Tom Finucane Branch

Ceili Band; aka the Rochester Irish Musicians

Association

Rochester Irish Arts Presents

Concert and Workshops

Dylan Foley All Ireland Fiddle Champion 2014 Member of The Yanks

November 21 Workshop 3 pm at Smith’s house 511 List Ave. Rochester, NY 14617

Concert 7:30 pm Fairport First Baptist 92 South Main St. Fairport, NY 14450 Workshop: $15.00 Concert: $10.00

Look and listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIf6M4OKdo4 https://dylanfoleyanddangurney.bandcamp.com/

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 3

Halloween Ceili October 31, 2015 photos provided by Cathy McGrath

Support local Comhaltas branch events – join or renew your membership now.

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 4

The Irish Diaspora (Diaspóra na nGael)

Of all people on the earth, the Irish are known for their attachment to their families and their land. Yet, since the 1700s, more people have emigrated from Ireland than lived there at its peak population.

As Eamon Delaney explained in Irish Central, farming and fishing in Ireland has never been easy. As someone once said, “you can’t ate the view” and although the beauty of the landscape of Ireland attracts tourists, much of the Atlantic side of the island is “bleak and windswept.” What is there about this land that selects for adventurers, hard-working survivalists, risk-takers and leaders?

“However, there is a big missing factor in this: the diaspora, and the Irish Government’s much-vaunted commitment to honoring this tradition – but also its ability to turn a buck out of it. Tens of thousands of foreign visitors, with an Irish heritage, visit Ireland every year and go through the often powerful experience of exploring their family background and getting in touch with their roots. They may go to their ancestor’s birthplace, and explore the usual list of museums, galleries and tourist attractions.” (Eamon Delaney)

Although Delaney criticizes the Irish government for its failure to build a diaspora center (they are currently renovating a 19th century warehouse for a center), there is a movement to develop “Epic Ireland” which will open in May 2016. The plan is to have an interactive experience for visitors who want to learn about the diaspora. Delaney is concerned that the government has not been supportive enough of the diaspora center despite its recent (March 2015) release of “Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy.” Here is a portion of the 58 page policy document which does present statements of commitment to any clear action plan: The Irish have an affinity to and with each other that is not bound nor defined by

geography or time. This first ever

comprehensive statement of Ireland’s diaspora policy is firmly rooted in Article 2 of the Constitution of Ireland which states that "the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage". There can be no more clear-cut statement of the importance of the relationship between Ireland and our diaspora. Over many generations large numbers of Irish people have had to leave Ireland and make their homes and lives elsewhere. But the bond between those who stayed and those who left has remained strong and enduring. Moreover, wherever they went, an early act of the emigrant Irish was to find other Irish and construct new communities of support and solidarity with each other. In other words, the Irish at home and the Irish abroad are considered one community. The Irish government in its effort to support the diaspora (people returning to Ireland and emigrants living abroad) has provided financial support to both large and grass-roots organizations (210 organizations in over 20 countries). The mission of the Global Irish program includes supporting Irish language, music and dance. On page 36, Comhaltas is cited as the major organization that is working internationally to keep Irish culture and traditions alive. “We will continue to work in partnership with Comhaltas to ensure that the Irish abroad can avail of their services.” You can find the complete policy document as a pdf at www.dfa.ie/

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 5

14th Annual Irish Cultural Day October 25, 2015

Music, Singing & Irish Language Workshops

Sponsored by your local Comhaltas branch

and Nazareth College This event was a great success with 30-50 people attending because of the dedicated work of volunteers who organized the event, provided refreshments and led the sessions. Please show your support by joining or renewing your membership in Comhaltas. Here’s a link to the article in the Democrat and Chronicle by Missy Rosenberry: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/columnists/rosenberry/2015/10/28/rosenberry-irish-cultural-day/74752524/

Photos: Cathy McGrath & Bill Hallahan

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 6

Report from the General Meeting

The annual General Meeting was held 7-8 pm at Johnny’s Irish Pub.

Officers for 2016 were elected. See page 9 for the list of officers.

Plans for concerts in the spring were discussed.

Comhaltas musicians performed at the Rochester Celtic Fest September 11, 12

Happy Birthday Marty O’Keefe

103 years, Nov 1

W. B. Yeats at 150: A Celebration November 19-20

St. John Fisher College Golisano Midlevel Gateway

Thursday, November 19 and Friday November 20, 2015

During the “Year of Yeats,” marking the 150th

anniversary of his birth in 1865, this program

will explore one of Ireland’s most notable literary and historic figures. Free and open to the

public.

For more information contact Tim Madigan, Director of Irish Studies, at tmadigan@sjfc.edu

http://www.sjfcirishstudies.org/#

photo: Marta Driscoll

The Harp of Erin 1855 engraving Official emblem of Ireland. Brian Boru, last king of Ireland (d. 1014) played the harp. Oldest harp on display at Trinity College, Dublin: 15th Century O’Neill harp

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 7

Music club activities

November 7, 2015 Button Box Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

November 14, 2015 Flute and Whistle Club, 10:00 am – 11:00

Sets for Sessions Practice: 11 am- 12

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

November 21, 2015 Fiddle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

December 5, 2015

Button Box Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

December 12, 2015

Flute and Whistle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

December 19, 2015

Fiddle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

Do you know the words to Delaney’s Chicken? Well Ted McGraw recalled it from the first recording of the Blackthorn Ceilidh Band at the Lima Session. It was entertaining and very funny. Just in case you don’t have the cassette … this’ll get you started: Delaney from the market bought a fowl a month ago If he meets the man who sold it he will kill him with a blow He said it was a chicken of a plump and tender breed But of a more distasteful bird you'll never hear or read. When they settled down to pluck it all their efforts were in vain But hands were torn and blistered and their muscles had a strain So dressed in all its feathers then they put it in the stew If you want to make Delaney wild, shout "Cock-a-doodle-do." Chorus: That bird must have crowed when they built the tower of Babel Was fed by Cain and Abel, and lived in Noah's stable All the shots that were fired, on the field of Waterloo Couldn't penetrate, or dislocate, that elongated, armour-plated, Double-breasted, iron chested, Cock-a-doodle-do … and there’s more …

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 8

Irish American Cultural Institute, Rochester, NY

Space is available for paid advertisements and classifieds. Only $100 per year (six issues of the newsletter)

For information, please contact Dave Halligan dhalligan@rochester.rr.com

PILAROSCIA AGENCY General Insurance

Property, Casualty, Personal, Commercial Phone: 585-381-2605

2509 Browncroft Blvd., Rochester, NY 14625

IACI 2015-2016 Film Feis November 1 Pavee Lackeen, The Traveller Girl January 3 December Bride February 7 Secret of Kells March 6 The Boxer April 3 Veronica Guerin McGinnity’s, Sundays, 4-7 pm Except February 7th, (Superbowl) film show time is 2-5 pm.

Mary Lester plays at the 2014 Irish Day workshops

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 9

Irish music on the radio with Ted & John

McGraw:

Ol' Fiddler Show WRUR 88.5 FM Sundays 12:00-1pm

Irish Party House WRUR 88.5 FM Sundays 1pm-2pm

Branch Officers - 2016 Cathoirleach (Chair) Dave Halligan Leas-Cathoirleach (Vice Chair) John Ryan Runai (Secretary) Bill Hallahan Cisteoir (Treasurer) Lynn Pilaroscia Michoir (Auditor) Shawn Casey Youth Officers

Marta Driscoll

Programs Music Events Cathy McGrath Ted McGraw John Ryan Ceili Dancing Arlene Miller Membership Bill Hallahan Singers’ Session Becky Farrell Ferrigno Music Learner’s Session Mark Ballard Website Marta Driscoll Newsletter Bill Hallahan Music Instrument Library Mark Gowman Concerts & Festivals Dave Halligan John Ryan

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann MEMBERSHIP AND DUES for 2016

Dues: First Adult $25.00 Second Adult $ 8.00 Family $40.00 Junior $ 4.00 Please make your check payable to: CCE Mail to: Comhaltas

6658 North Avon Road Honeoye Falls, NY 14472

Look for us on Facebook:

Rochester Irish Musician’s Association

Join Comhaltas and support Irish music.and culture.

Check your membership card for expiration date. If you have ideas or articles or announcements or photos to include in this

newsletter, please send them to Bill Hallahan at whallah3@naz.edu.

Your donations are tax-deductible.

Comhaltas Rochester November/December 2015 Page 10

Comhaltas-Sponsored Music Sessions, Dancing, Singing 1st Sundays of every month: The American Hotel

4:00 pm 7304 E. Main Street, Lima, NY

2rd Friday of every month: 8:00 pm CCE music session Now at Jo’s Place, 1768 E Main St. Last Sunday of every month: 3:00 pm Music Learning Session Johnny's Irish Pub 4:00 pm Singer Session with Jean & Becky 4:30-5:00 Comhaltas branch meetings 1342 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 5:00 pm Regular session Set Dancing Every Wednesday: McGinnity's Bar & Restaurant 7:30 pm 534 West Ridge Road

No experience, no partner necessary. Instructors: Arlene Miller (585) 663-4438. James Coughlin, caller.

OTHER TRADITIONAL IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC SESSIONS Every Monday: Colie’s Café, Nazareth College campus

Leader: Jane Sturmer

6:00 pm waltz session

7:00-9:00 pm: jigs, reels, etc. same tune set each week (mostly)

Ben’s website for the Monday session:

https://sites.google.com/site/rocnyslowsession/

Every Tuesday:

7:00 pm (study session) Charlotte Tavern, 2 River Road & Lake Ave.

Every Saturday: Barry’s Old School Irish, Webster.

2:00-5:30 pm. Leader: John Ryan

First Wednesdays: 7:00 pm Scottish Sessions at 7:00-9:00 PM at the Pittsford

Recreation Center (Spiegel Community Center), 35 Lincoln Avenue Pittsford, NY 14534

Thursdays

Begins at 7:30 pm. Duffy’s Irish Pub,

100 West Main Street, Avon, NY (RR station at the tracks).

Leaders: Bill Henrie & Adrienne Maher