Sinséar Buaiteoir: Christina Ní Mhainnín, Ros Dubh, Ros Muc
Sóisearach Rannóg Meanscoil:
Comórtais Amhránaíochta: Rannóg Meánscoil
_______________________________________ Stáir na Féile 2009
Sheol Seosamh Ó Curraoin, Oifigeach Fiontair is Fostaíochta M.F.G. ag Ionad Fiontair i gCill Briocáin,
féile na bliana seo. Tá dlúthbhaint ag Seosamh le Ros Muc, agus ba í Bidín Sheáin Dharach féin a d'iarr air
cúram na hoíche sin a thabhairt air féin. Bhí PJ agus Marcus Ó hIarnáin i láthair arís ar an ardán oíche
Dé hAoine chun ceol a sholáthar do na damhsóirí.
By contrast John's dancing at first appears to be utterly simplistic because of the ease and deceptively subtle manner in which he executes his patterns, but the fact that the audience cannot take their eyes off his footwork is a credit to the hypnotic impact of the intricacies he is weaving as he lets his feet tell their story. For Coiste Chóilín Sheáin Dharach it is not only John's brilliant dancing abilities which make him an "A-listed" workshop leader but the fact that he is an experienced knowledgeable teacher with great charismatic energy. John is everywhere during the festival and in the same mode as na seandaoine a cheapadh go mbeadh an ceol á dhiomailt mura mbeadh daoine ag damhsa, ní bhíonn John i bhfad ón urlár nuair atá gá le damhsóir.
After a full day of workshop disciplined jig training, the half-door and barrel dancing exhibition as usual is a bit of fun for everyone. In the hopes of balancing out the festival activities between the two supporting pub venues the half-door and barrel dancing session was held this year in Tigh Mhaidhcó which has a more open layout an the opportunity for all present to see the dancers. This session generally last for an hour and a half and is both a wonderful opportunity to allow individuals to show their stuff in a non-competitive environment. Besides the weekend session musicians providing the accompaniment Argyle's Roibeard Nairn provided some dazzling box playing. Insíonn na pictiúr seo a leanas a scéal féin.
Bhuaigh damhsóir áitiúil as Ros Muc Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach don chéad uair ó d'éirigh Róisín Ní Mhainnín, buaiteoir trí huaire as a chéile, as na comórtais sa bhliain 2004. Thogh an moltóir, Pádraig Coil' Nana Pháidín as Ráth Cairn, Christina Ní Mhainnín mar bhuaiteoir na bliana seo. Roinneadh an dara háit sa chomórtas idir Marian Ní Chonghaile as Leitir Móir na Coille agus buaiteoir na bliana anuraidh, Pól Ó Móráin as Bóthar na Trá. The standard of dancing was very high this year and among those contestants who gave excellent performance and got the crowd's approval were Emma Ó Sullivan fro Renvyle and Róy Ó Gealbhan fro Tiobraid Árann. Retired Garda, Máirtín Seoige, nephew of Cóilín Sheáin Dharach awarded the trophies. PJ Hernon provided the accompaniment for the dancers. Chuile sheans go raibh Cóilín Seoighe ag breathnú anuas ar seo uile agus meangadh gáire ar a aghaidh.
Coiste Chóilín Sheáin Dharach had gone to some effort this year in recognising that ever since moving the contest from the pub into Coláiste Cuimhneachán An Phiarsaigh in 2006, the school age contest on Sunday afternoon has exploded into one of our biggest responsibilities. In the early years of the festival, the primary function to stage Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Djarach greatly overshadowed the junior contest. Presently the Sunday afternoon gathering to watch the school age competitions blackens the road with number of cars parked between the coláiste and the post office. Fortunately, our organisation has tried to address this responsibility and we hope we are now providing the same standard of organisation and attention to detail as we do with our première event on Saturday night. This years dancing was adjudicated by Tom Moran and the accompaniment was provided by Seán Ó Flatharta from Leitir Móir. The prizes were awarded by Róisín Ní Mhainín herself. The singing contest was adjudicated by Seosamh Ó Conghaile from Anach Mheáin and Briocan Barrett presentedthe winners with their prizes. Great credit is due to Máire Áine Ní Mháille for organising these contest and supervision all related staff.
Mar eisimpleir, bha ceann-naidheachd sa Chonnacht Tribune ag ràdh: "A' Mharag Dhubh agus Bogsadh nan Tarraing Neo-àbhaisteach aig Fèis Ros Muc" agus bha criomagan den bhlasad fhèin air an taisbeanadh air naidheachdan TG-4 am feasgar sin aig 7:00f. Bha a' choinneamh agus am blasad air an riaghladh le Fionnlagh Moireasdan à Carlabhagh, Eilean Leòdhas agus an t-Oll. Séamas Ó Direain a tha na iar-ollamh ann an NUI-Corcaigh. Bha na sampaill fa leth bho na bùidsearan Edward Twomey à Cloch na gCoillte, Corcaigh agus James McGeough, Uachtar Ard, Co. na Gaillimhe còmhla ris a' mharag a bhuannaich bho Theàrlach MacLeòid, air an deasachadh le Màirin Trèasa Nic Nèill à Barraigh.
The presentation included sound files from the Madison Square fight and analytical film clips of several of John's fight leading up to the title bout. Briocan Barrett sang the Ciarán Ó Flatharta song "Seán Mannion"; Máirtín Naoi gave an analytical synopsis of John's ability and skills and the presentation was capped with Seáin Cóil' Nana Pháidín acting as a "ringside fight announcer" ad-libbing a pretend bout between John and Roberto Duran. Roberto was disqualified for low blows and John Pheaitín Tom won the day! The standing room only crowd included several Irish boxing champions. Translation schedule: 1. On Thursday morning, the day before the festival, Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcast a special 2 hour program honouring Cóilín Sheáin Dharach and our festival in his honour now in it's 8th year. The program was broadcast from Coláiste Chuimhneachcháin An Phiarsaigh and presented by able broadcaster, Ciarán Ó Flatharta. Among those interviewed that morning were Briocan Barrett, Peadar Beag Ó Tuatháil, John Pheaitín Tom and Sarah Uí Mháille, both Sarah and Briocan sang on the program, but the producer Máire Áine Ní Cuaig had done considerable homework prior to the show. Broadcast that morning were archival interviews with Cóilín himself in addition to a version of him singing Amhrán na Muiríní. Equally enlightening was the comprehensive interview with Róisín Ní Mhainín describing the influence that Cóilín had on her own dancing and her own experiences and development as a sean-nós dancer. Róisín's interview had been pre-recorded as she was teaching in Scoil Cuimseacht in An Cheathrú Rua while the program was being broadcast and the dancer selected to fill har shoes on the program proved to prophetic. Christina Ní Mhainín of Ros Dubh danced a jig and also a reel on the half door to the accompaniment of Johnny Phadraig Phete and two nights later won the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2009. dóibh. 2. This year's festival was launched by Seosamh Ó Curraoin oifigeach the Fiontar is Fostaíochta M.F.G. at Ionad Fiontar in Cill Briocáin. Seosamh has strong Ros Muc connections and was summoned to the task by Bidín Sheáin Dharach, herself, who insisted that he had to take on the responsibilities for the night. The 2009 festival saw the return of PJ and Marcus Ó hIarnáin to the Friday night stage providing the music for "séis and steps". 3. As usual the special thing about the Oíche Fáiltiú at Féile Chóilín Sheáin Dharach is the healthy mix between local Connemara singers and dancers and those strangers visiting the Gaeltacht who themselves bring something of their themselves and their own home place when they get up to perform. 4. The old-timers who considered the music being wasted if someone wasn't up dancing, John is never far from the floor when needed. 5. For the first time since three time champion Róisín Ní Mhainín was retired from competition in 2004. A local Ros Muc dancer has won Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach. Christina Ní Mhainnín was selected this years winner by adjudicator, Pádraig Coil' Nana Pháidín from Rath Cairn and a joint 2nd place was awarded to Marian Ní Chonghaile from Leitir Móir na Coille and last years winner, Pól Ó Móran from Bóthar na Trá. 6. Coiste Chóilín Sheáin Dharach had gone to some effort this year in recognising that ever since moving the contest from the pub into Coláiste Cuimhneachán An Phiarsaigh in 2006, the school age contest on Sunday afternoon has exploded into one of our biggest responsibilities. In the early years of the festival, the primary function to stage Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Djarach greatly overshadowed the junior contest. Presently the Sunday afternoon gathering to watch the school age competitions blackens the road with number of cars parked between the coláiste and the post office. Fortunately, our organisation has tried to address this responsibility and we hope we are now providing the same standard of organisation and attention to detail as we do with our première event on Saturday night. This years dancing was adjudicated by Tom Moran and the accompaniment was provided by Seán Ó Flatharta from Leitir Móir. The prizes were awarded by Róisín Ní Mhainín herself. The singing contest was adjudicated by Seosamh Ó Conghaile from Anach Mheáin and Briocan Barrett presented the winners with their prizes. Great credit is due to Máire Áine Ní Mháille for organising these contest and supervision all related staff. 7. As we have attempted to do each year at the festival, we try to honour someone associated with the parish who have distinguished themselves at the national level or beyond. This year we honoured the boxing great John Pheaitín Tom who fought for the World Title in Madison Square Garden in 1982? against Mike McCallum in the Junior Middle Weight division. This was without a doubt our best attempt to stage such an honorary event. The presentation included sound files from the Madison Square fight and analytical film clips of several of John's fight leading up to the title bout. Briocan Barrett sang the Ciarán Ó Flatharta song "Seán Mannion"; Máirtín Naoi gave an analytical synopsis of John's ability and skills and the presentation was capped with Seáin Cóil' Nana Pháidín acting as a "ringside fight announcer" ad-libbing a pretend bout between John and Roberto Duran. Roberto was disqualified for low blows and John Pheaitín Tom won the day! The standing room only crowd included several Irish boxing champions. 9. As we have done for 8 successive years, we conclude our weekend festival on Sunday evening with a hosted sean-nós singing session at Tigh Mhaidhcó. We are fortunate in that this session has always been organised with Cumann Amhránaíochta Iorras Aithneach and hosted by three times Corn Ó Riada winner Josie Sheáin Jeaic Mac Donnachdha. It's a pity that this type of singing session has been fading from the cultural landscape in recent years thus we feel a responsibility to maintain this tradition not only as a showcase for visitors, but also as an inspiration to native youth. Culture is passed from generation to generation through use and we feel this is one of the finer examples of this type of social interaction for the community. As we have done for 8 successive years, we conclude our weekend festival on Sunday evening with a hosted sean-nós singing session at Tigh Mhaidhcó. We are fortunate in that this session has always been organised with Cumann Amhránaíochta Iorras Aithneach and hosted by three times Corn Ó Riada winner Josie Sheáin Jeaic Mac Donnachdha. It's a pity that this type of singing session has been fading from the cultural landscape in recent years thus we feel a responsibility to maintain this tradition not only as a showcase for visitors, but also as an inspiration to native youth. Culture is passed from generation to generation through use and we feel this is one of the finer examples of this type of social interaction for the community.
We feel that we addressed our organisation to the challengeAlthough last year'sAlong with singing and dancing by Joy Dunlop and playing the box on Roibeard Nairn's part, these two Gaidhlig speakers also participated in a Scottish Gàidhlig Whisky Tasting through the medium of Gàidhlig. Quite often Scottish artist like Joy and Roibeard whose visits are grant aided by Colmcille Éirinn is Alba end up mostly speaking in English while visiting because the dialectical differences between Gaeilge and Gàidhlig can be challenging. By holding a whisky tasting for those people who have been exposed to Gáidhlig either through travel of through course study at Sabhail Mór Ostaig, the coinneamh gave learners a chance to hear and use the Gàidhlig they had. Coinneamh Luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig attracted a dozen people among whom were fairly advanced learners and Marian Ni Neill a native speaker from Barra. The whisky is believed to have been an aphrodisiac for conversation as it greatly loosened the tongues.
Cé nach raibh an dá aoi-chainteoir a bhí curtha in áirithe don seisiún in ómóis do Chaitlín Maude i láthair. Bhí a deartháir agus a neacht i láthair áfach agus shábháil taispeántas Caitríona Ní Chonaola do Dhónall-Óg an lán dúinn. Bhí go leor daoine sa lucht féachana a raibh aithne phearsanta acu ar Chaitlín agus fuair chuile dhuine acu CD saor in aisce ó Ghael-Linn.
Tá Comórtas na n-Óg a bhíonn ar súil i gColáiste Chuimhneacháin an Phiarsaigh, méadaigh go dtí an pointe go gcaithfidh muid athrú a dhéanamh air agus foireann oibre a eagrú atá dírithe ar an gcomórtas seo amháin a fháil. Lá don t-saol ní raibh anseo ach comórtas beag le cúpla iomaitheoir ach anois is comórtas ollmhór é a mhaireann trí uair a chloig. Tá súil againn tar éis féile 2009 go mbeidh an comórtas níos mó fós.
In 2002 when the "festival" was inaugurated, it was a "two event festival" with only the Saturday night comórtas and the Sunday afternoon Seisiúin Amhránaíochta hosted by Cumann Amhránaíocht Iorras-Aithneach with three time Corn Úi Riada winner, Josie Sheáin Jeaic as fear an tí. In spite of the festival growing to a three day, full program of cultural events festival, the Sunday evening "Slán Abhaile" singing session remains one of the highlights of the weekend. The 2008 session was enhanced by Séamaisín DeVanny and clann keeping the music and dance going well into the evening.
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Sinséar Buaiteoir: Pól Ó Móráin, Bóthar na Trá
Sóisearach Rannóg Meanscoil:
Comórtais Amhránaíochta: Rannóg Meánscoil
_______________________________________ History of the festival 2008
James Devine, who in spite of his professional trad-fusion dance show, has a serious interest in old time traditional dancing as both his mother and his grandmother were noted traditional dancers during the hey days of Feis Luimnigh, an event James himself won three times. James came to scoil scairte to teach sean-nós jig steps and turned out to be a super workshop instructor. Based on the numerous text messages, e-mails, post cards and phone calls received the week following the festival, James might possibly have been the best workshop teacher the festival has had so far.
While the Scoil Scairte workshop runs all-day from 10:00am until 4:00pm, it is not the only dance workshop at the festival. To facilitate dancers who arrive after the morning class, Róisín Ní Mháinín has been teaching her own Jig Master Class from 1:30 to 4:00 since 2005 and continues to attract a dedicated audience. Róisín is a native of Ros Muc and won Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach the first three years of the festival. Is dóigh freisin gurbh í duine de na damhsóirí is éifeachtaí le fiche cúig bliain anuas, sé an fáth atá leis seo na go ndamhsóinn sí leis an stíl céanna a d’fheicfeadh ag an sean-dream. Is í cinnte a thug inspioráid don ghlúin nua damhsóirí óga seo. Agus cúpla mí tar éis na féile rugadh cailín beag di féin agus Diarmaid, agus le cúnamh dé beidh sí féin ag damhsa i gceann cheithre bliana.
After a full day of workshop disciplined jig training, the half-door and barrel dancing exhibition as usual is a bit of fun for everyone. In the hopes of balancing out the festival activities between the two supporting pub venues the half-door and barrel dancing session was held this year in Tigh Mhaidhcó which has a more open layout an the opportunity for all present to see the dancers. This session generally last for an hour and a half and is both a wonderful opportunity to allow individuals to show their stuff in a non-competitive environment. Besides the weekend session musicians providing the accompaniment Argyle’s Roibeard Nairn provided some dazzling box playing.
For the first time in seven years the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach was won by a non-Connemara native. Paul Moran who has been involved with set dancing and the Galway summer variety show Siamsa for several decades finally broke through to the winner’s circle. Interestingly another Moran of no relation to Paul was this year’s runner up. Tom Moran from New Inn has never failed to get the audience behind him in his three previous attempts at Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach. Both Paul and Tom have previously been among the dancers recalled but this was the first taste of “sweet success” for the pair of them.
For the third time in our eight year history, the festival has attracted competitors from North America. In the past we have had extremely developed dancers of reputation within the American dance scene, but quite often these dancers were on academic studies or on work permits in this country. Among them have been Kieran Jordan, Maldon Meehan, and Alicia Gunne, but now we are beginning to see dancers like Kelly Smit, Shannon Dunne and Brendan Bell who appear to be planning their annual holiday “budget” around the last weekend in January. Chuile sheans go bhfuil Cóilín Seoighe ag breathnú anuas ar seo uile agus meangadh gáire ar a aghaidh.
Ó thaobh ceoil di, bhí an Aifreann maidin Dé Domhnaigh, a bhí le cloisteáil beo ar Raidió na Gaeltachta an-mhaith agus bhí caighdeán an cheol agus an chultúr an-ard.
By holding a whisky tasting for those people who have been exposed to Gáidhlig either through travel of through course study at Sabhail Mór Ostaig, the coinneamh gave learners a chance to hear and use the Gàidhlig they had. Coinneamh Luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig attracted a dozen people among whom were fairly advanced learners and Mariam Ni Neill a native speaker from Barra. The whisky is believed to have been an aphrodisiac for conversation as it greatly loosened the tongues
Cé nach raibh an dá aoi-chainteoir a bhí curtha in áirithe don seisiún in ómóis do Chaitlín Maude i láthair. Bhí a deartháir agus a neacht i láthair áfach agus shábháil taispeántas Caitríona Ní Chonaola do Dhónall-Óg an lán dúinn. Bhí go leor daoine sa lucht féachana a raibh aithne phearsanta acu ar Chaitlín agus fuair chuile dhuine acu CD saor in aisce ó Ghael-Linn.
Tá Comórtas na n-Óg a bhíonn ar súil i gColáiste Chuimhneacháin an Phiarsaigh, méadaigh go dtí an pointe go gcaithfidh muid athrú a dhéanamh air agus foireann oibre a eagrú atá dírithe ar an gcomórtas seo amháin a fháil. Lá don t-saol ní raibh anseo ach comórtas beag le cúpla iomaitheoir ach anois is comórtas ollmhór é a mhaireann trí uair a chloig. Tá súil againn tar éis féile 2009 go mbeidh an comórtas níos mó fós.
In 2002 when the “festival” was inaugurated, it was a “two event festival” with only the Saturday night comórtas and the Sunday afternoon Seisiúin Amhránaíochta hosted by Cumann Amhránaíocht Iorras-Aithneach with three time Corn Úi Riada winner, Josie Sheáin Jeaic as fear an tí. In spite of the festival growing to a three day, full program of cultural events festival, the Sunday evening “Slán Abhaile” singing session remains one of the highlights of the weekend. The 2008 session was enhanced by Séamaisín DeVanny and clann keeping the music and dance going well into the evening.
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Sinséar Buaiteóir: Patrick Ó Dúbhain, Ard Mhóir, Carna
Shóisearach Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2007 Meánscóil Buaiteoir: Micheál Seoighe, Leitir Móir Bunscoil Buaiteoir: Ruadhán Ó Flatharta Trá Báin History of the festival 2007 Gach bliain iarrann muid ar dhuine mór le rá ár bhféile trí lá a sheoladh. Sa bhliain 2007 ba í Cáit Ní Mhainnín a sheol an fhéile, agus bhí muid ag tnúth go mór le hí a bheith i gceannas ar an ócáid sin, mar bhí cáil bainte amach di féin ar Raidió na Gaeltachta as a tuairimí ar a lán ábhar. Ina theannta sin, is iomaí comhrá a bhí aici le Máirtín Tom Sheáinín ar Raidió na Gaeltachta thar na blianta, agus ba é Máirtín a bhí ina “fhear an tí” an oíche chéanna in éineacht le Cáit.
Bhí an-tóir arís ar sheoladh na féile Dé hAoine, agus strainséirí ag teacht ann ó cheantair i bhfad i gcéin agus a gcuid amhránaíochta agus damhsaíochta acu. Chuidigh Peadar Beag Ó Tuathail go héifeachtach le Máirtín Tom Sheáinín agus iad ag seoladh gan staonadh damhsóirí, amhránaithe, agus aoi-cheoltóirí chun an ardáin an oíche úd.
Chomh maith leis na damhsóirí aonair agus na damhsaí seit cuadraille, bheoigh agus beirt ceoltóirí as Albain imeachtaí na hoíche -- Griogar Labhraigh agus Alec Domhnallach. Chas siad ceol oíche Dé Sathairn freisin, gur mheall siad a lán ceoltóirí agus damhsóirí eile.
The exhibition dancing on a barrel or half-door is year in and year out a great success. People who have been learning new steps in the workshops all day from John or Róisín are given a chance to show off a bit or demonstrate the progress they’ve made.
Is é an Domhnach, lá deiridh na féile, an lá is spleodraí den fhéile --- faoi mar a bhí sé riamh. Tagann na sluaite agus bíonn raon fairsing imeachtaí ar siúl mar chuid den fhéile ar an lá sin – aifrinn mhaidin Domhnaigh le hiomainn sean-nós, léachtaí dátheangacha (m.sh., an ceann sin faoi sheanPhádraic Ó Conaire), leagan sóisearach den Chomórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, agus comórtas sóisearach amhránaíochta i measc na n-imeachtaí iomadúla. Ba í an diospóireacht i nGaeilge na hAlban a tháinig ar an bhfód i mbliana an imeacht ba nuaí. Mhaoinigh Colmcille Éirinn is Alba an díospóireacht, agus tháinig an t-oifigeach nua-cheaptha den eagraíocht Aonghus Dwayne chun freastal uirthi.
___________________________________________________________________________ Sinséar Buaiteior: Brian Cunningham, Caisil
History of the festival 2006 Anuraidh Ár Cúigiú Bliaidhan Although we began ten months ahead of time hoping to attract Mary Mac Alsee the president of Ireland to launch our fifth year festival, it became apparent in the late autumn rejection of our invitation that the remote Gaeltacht of Ros Muc was not ranked high enough on her or her planning secretaries agenda. In her place we were more than satisfied to accept An T-Áire Éamon Ó Cuív’s willingness to launch our festival. Éamon is a man who has certainly put his strength of conviction and political wiliness behind his commitment to the language, the Gaeltacht and indeed Ros Muc. He also showed considerable mettle at the Friday night opening ceremonies in criticising those in the communities who had planned a retirement dinner for a long serving teacher at the scoil cuimsieach on the very same night. As Eamon Ó Cuív correctly pointed out this error of judgment in such a small community cut by at least by half the number of people in attendance at Tigh Clarke.
Perhaps the greatest highlight of the 2006 festival was the fact that the new Colásite Cuimhneachán An Phiarsach became available to us. We were able to use it for the Scoil Scairte and the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach on Saturday night.. We repeated the same successful teaching staff as we had the previous year with Patrick O’Dea and Paul Moran doing the all-day jig classes and Róisín Ní Mhainín holding her Master Class in the Crannóg. There was certain lessons to be learnt as there are with any such changes. Most of the students quite obviously preferred the big room with Patrick O’Dea whereas the previous year with two similar sized rooms both Paul Moran and Patrick O’Dea had similar number of students. There were also some logistics pressures in converting the small classroom into the lunch hall and then back to a dance class in the afternoon. For this reason, the committee has decided to concentrate on one big class as a workshop in the large hall. The school also attracted a busload of students from John Fennel’s School of Traditional Dance in Cill Rush Co. Clare.
Immediately following the Scoil Scairt was the barrel and half door exhibition in Tigh Clarkes. While there is initially a tough job getting some of the participants to bravely come forward, this was the third year in succession that the brave individuals provided a solid hour and a half of continuous dancing with one exhibitionist after the other taking to the barrel or half door. Later that night, the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach filled the Coláiste An Tin to standing room only.(Translate the following into Gaelic) To some extent the actual contest only seemed like a prelude to the explosive exhibition that followed when all the dancers took to the floor including many local dancers who didn’t compete in the contest, some of whom have been extremely critical of the contest because it is restricted to the jig, but are very quick to rush on stage and do a reel.
The usually Sunday program of sean-nós singing at the Mass with Joe Phat Viv and Joe John Mac Con Iomaire providing grate spiritual hymns was followed by the coffee and ceol at Clarke’s to start the day. (Translate to Gaelic) This was followed by our annual bi-lingual celebration of a Ros Muc personality which was held in Ionad Fiontar and focused on the larger than life character, the sean nós singer Seán Ó Conaire. Following a discussion of his accomplishments and the play back of some of his famous recordings, many humorous stories about “007” were put forth by people in attendance and then the small crowd travelled up to Relig Naomh Bhriochán where a hand-painted marker was placed on his grave. (back to English) Perhaps the most significant development in our cultural offering of our Sunday program was the fact that for over ten hours on Sunday there was non-stop traditional music played in session in Clarke’s. This never ending session seemed to come in waves, as some musicians tierd or had to leave for other commitments another fresh set of musicians seemed to take over and rejuvenate the lively music. Hopefully, please God, this will be sustained in future festivals.
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Sinséar |
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Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2005 |
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Buaiteoir: Patricia Ní Fhátharta, Barr Roisín, Ros A’ Mhil |
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 Buaiteoir Chomórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach |
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Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2004 |
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Buaiteoir: Róisín Ní Mhainín, Cill Briocáin, Ros Muc |
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 Róisín agus moltóir |
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Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2003 |
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Buaiteoir: Róisín Ní Mhainín, Cill Bhriocáin, Ros Muc |
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 Róisín Ní Mhainín 1st place winner 2 years in a row |
 Noel Clarke runner-up 2003 |
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Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin
Dharach 2002
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 Frank Fahey and Róisín Ní Mhainín |
 Frank and Séamaisín DeVanny |
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Sóisearach Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2005 |
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Buaiteoir, Meánscoil (faoi 18): Michael Ó Dubháin, Croimíne, Leitir Móir |
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 Michael Ó Dubháin |
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Bunscoil (faoi 12): Heather Ní Chaisín, Ros Muc
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Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach 2004 Moltóir: Joe O'Donovan, Ceoltoir: P.J. Ó hIarnáin |
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Meánscoil, Buaiteoir: Aisling Ní Chuinnigeáin, Caiséil |
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Comórtas Sóisearach Chóilín Sheáin Dharach
2003 Buaiteoirí: |
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 Brian Cunningham |
 Marion Ní Neachtain |
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History |
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Anuraidh:
Buíochas mór le Dia go raibh ár bhféile trí lá beannaithe arís le haimsir bhreá agus bóithre tirime. Mheall muid díograiseoirí damhsa chugainn ó áiteanna chomh fada i gcéin le Baile Átha Cliath, Corcaigh, agus tuaisceart na hÉireann. Ba é Muiris Ó Rocháin ó Scoil Samhraidh Willy Clancy a chuir fáilte roimh na cuairteoirí ar an Aoine, agus ba iad Marcus agus P.J. Hernon a chas an ceol arís do na “sets” agus “steps”.We were delighted with the diversity of styles that were danced on the evening particularly notable were the wonderful dancers organised by Mary Fox of Co. Armagh and a strong Cork contingent organised by Anna and John O’Keefe from Cork. Another treat were the visitors from Canada. Troy MacGillivray from Antigonish, Nova Scotia and Brent Chiasson from Prince Edward Island played a set of Scottish tunes and Burton MacIntyre from Cape Breton created quite a stir with his energetic “stepping”.
The Scoil Scairte Fánaí Chonnacht has come into its own for teaching the sean-nós jig which was the signature performance piece of the late Cóilín Sheáin Dharach himself. We feel we have hit a high standard of diligent teaching and enthusiastic organisation. Both Patrick Ó Dea and Paul Moran taught the full day sessions from 10:00am until 4:00pm to a full compliment of students. Róisín Ní Mhainnín, our local three time champion, taught an afternoon Master Class at An Chrannóg. Students were rewarded with home-made soup and sandwiches during the lunch break at Scoil Chuimsitheach an Phiarsaigh. This was organised by the local bean an tí and proved to be a great display of community spirit. Chuaigh an damhsa ar an leathdhoras agus ar bharr bairille ag 4.00 i.n. i gcion go mór ar an lucht féachana in ainneoin mhéid an tslua. Thaithnigh na damhsóirí go mór leis an slua, go háirithe Tom Moran as New Inn agus Burton MacIntyre as Ceap Breatainn, but there was also Eileen Anne O’ Connor, a fine woman dancer from Uachtar Ard, who was at first reluctant to come forward, but once she began to dance one had to wonder why she had been hiding her brilliant dancing from public view.
D’oscail an comórtas suas do dhamhsóirí úra nuair a d’éirigh Róisín Ní Mhainnín as a bheith ag iomaíocht i gComórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach tar éis di an comórtas a bhuachan trí bliana as a chéile. Thapaigh Patricia Ní Fhatharta as Ros a’ Mhíl an deis, agus ba léir gurbh ise an damhsóir ba chumasaí an oíche sin.Quite a surprise was the fact that two World Irish Music Students from the University of Limerick were recalled by the adjudicator Mary Kelly and one of them, Kieran Jordan from Boston took the second place. Ba é ceol beoga rithimeach Bracken a chuir deireadh leis an oíche, agus é ag mealladh cuid mhór den lucht éisteachta as na suíocháin chun “jive-áil” go deireadh na hoíche. Cé gurb é an comórtas cuimhneacháin “jig” oíche Shathairn príomh-imeacht an deiridh seachtaine, ba dheacair imeachtaí cultúrtha an Domhnaigh a shárú. It started out with Deirdre Ní Chonghaile, Aisling Ní Neachtain, Pádraig Ó Flatharta and John Joe Mac Con Iomaire providing awe-inspiring liturgical music at the morning Mass. This was followed by several concurrently running events:
At Ionad Fiontar there was a discussion about the life and works of the writer, broadcaster and teacher Pádraic-óg Ó Conaire while in the Crannóg a group of Canadians hosted a well attended strathspey – reel workshop.
At 2:30 everyone gathered at Tigh Mhichó for the junior version of the Cóilín Sheáin Dharach jig contest. Bhí deireadh leis an tráthnóna nuair a chan Cumann Amhránaíochta Iorras Aithneach amhráin faoi stiúir Josie Sheáin Jeaic MacDonncha, rud a tharlaíonn gach bliain anois ó chéad bhliain an chomórtais. Le cúnamh Dé, beidh Féile Chomórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach na bliana 2006 ar an gcaighdeán ard céanna. |
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2004: We were lucky to have the Galway Hurling Captain, Joe Connolly launch our Friday night Fáiltiú with music for steps and sets. |
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Ar ndóigh chuir Joe ríméad ar Ghaeilgeoirí na tíre leis an óráid iontach a thug sé i 1980 le linn dó a bheith ag crochadh Corn Mhic Carthaigh in airde i bPáirc an Chrócaigh. Chuir daoine fiú a bhí ar beagán Gaeilge, spéis san óráid sin. Níor lig sé síos muid an oíche sin ach oiread, mar gur mheasc sé leis na slua go paiteanta i dTigh Clarke. He contributed to the dance oriented night with his own sean-nós performance and also sang Amhrán Mhuinse. The festival was able to show off for the first time the new team who were to help welcome newcomers and to co-ordinate the activities of the weekend, they are: Fíona Ní Flaithearta, Linda Ní Dhraighneán, Peadar Ó Tuathail, Sean Ó Mainnín and Kevin Ó Draighneán. |
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 Peadar, Seán agus Kevin |
 Joe Connolly agus Bidín |
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The scoil scairte began at 10.30 Saturday morning in the crannóg by assigning the students to one of the following teachers: Margaret Wray from Derry who taught traditional steps, Scotsman, John Sirkoski, originally from the Ile of Skye taught steps from Cape Breton and Paul Moran, a well known dancer living in Galway, attracted the largest number of students who obviously wanted to emulate his style and learn some of his many steps. Ar ndóigh chuir Catherine Sherer, a thug céim Mhairtíreachta léi ón Irish World Music Centre le gairid, go mór le cúrsaí agus í ag treorú rincí port i bpríomh halla na Crannóge. She provided an important class for late-comers and students who only wanted to attend afternoon classes. |
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 Catherine Sherer's Class |
 Scotland's John Sikowski |
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The Saturday night contest, of course, is the primary event of the weekend and once again we had “more than a full house”. Bhí an bua ag Róisín Ní Mhainín don tríú uair, ach de bharr rialacha an choiste ní féidir léí cur isteach ar an gcomórtas arís. Thaispeáin P.J. Connolly a bhí ag tionlacan na n-damhsóirí go bhfuil todchaí an bhosca slán sábháilte i gConamara ar feadh glúin eile. Bhí sé thar barr! He was brilliant! He was also the driving force for much of the dancing and jiving that followed the contest as he is the box player with the group Beairtle Ó Domhnaill & Ceann Golaim who kept everyone hopping until closing time. Following the Sunday morning Mass, the Pléaráca mini-bus took visitors from the coffee and cake reception at Tigh Clarke to Pearse’ Cottage where Ultan Macken and Dr. Séamas Ó Direáin conducted bi-lingual lectures on the writings of Pádraig Mac Pairais. This turned out to be one of the more fun filled events of the weekend as a jocular debate ensued among all present. A tongue-in-cheek fun filled debate broke out comparing the imperialism of Patrick Pearse’ day with a similar oppression by major powers today. Mar a tharlaíonn go h-iondúil le linn díospóireachtaí mar sin níor gortaíodh einne agus d'fhág ‘chuile dhuine Teach an Phiarsaigh agus aoibh bhreá orthu. |
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 Liam Ó Maolaodha, Dr Foley agus Risteárd |
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The meánscoil section of the comórtas sóisearach was won by Aisling Cunningham and the bunscoil section was won for the second time by Marion Ní Neachtain of Cill Bhriocáin. ‘Sé Liam Ó Maolaodha ó Oireachtas na Gaeilge a bhronn na trófaithe. Mar aon leis an gcomórtas sóiseareach, bhí Josie Sheáin Jeaic i bhfeighil an t-seisiún amhránaíochta don tríú bliain as a chéile. Beidh coiste Chóilín Sheáin Dharach ag casadh le chéile go minic le linn tús an fhómhair agus i rith an gheimhridh chun plé a dhéanamh ar aon feabhsúcháin a d'fhéadfaí a dhéanamh ar an bhféile, ach bheadh fáilte roimh thuairimí ó chuairteoirí freisin. |
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2003: There was a concerntrated effort made for the second Cóilín Sheáin Dharach weekend to develop a full weekend of events and to attempt to attract visitors who would stay with the local lodging providers. |
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On Friday night we initiated an open floor dance night at Clarke's in which we encouraged people to exhibit their skills in their choice of either solo or quardrille set dancing. Níorbh aon ionadh go raibh an oiread sin ratha ar na himeachtaí. Ar an gcéad dul amach, b'iad Marcus agus P.J. Hernon na ceoltóirí, agus chuirfeadh a gceol fonn rince go fiú ar an té a bheadh ar na maidí croise. Ar an dara dul amach, b'é Joe MacDonncha, iaruachtarán an GAA agus uachtarán reatha Fhoras na Gaeilge, a d'oscail an deireadh seachtaine go hoifigiúil. Bhíodh baint ag Joe le Mná Tí Rosmuc nuair a d'oibrigh Joe don Roinn Oideachais. Lastly we were fortunate to have dancing visitors from Derry, Cork, Belfast, Co. Louth and Co. Meath who provided a lot of diversity in their steps and choice of rhythms. It had been some time since people had seen a hornpipe danced in a traditional close to the floor manner, for example.
On Saturday morning, the 85 year old Cork dancing master, Joe O'Donovan began his all-day jig workshop. His national reputation, his dignity and his vast encyclopedia-like knowledge of traditional dance help to establish this dance workshop as a major calendar event. B'é Joe a rinne moltóireacht ar an dara comórtas bliantúil Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, agus thug sé tús áite don damhsóir áitiúil Róisín Ní Mhainín. B'e an dara bliain as a chéile a bhuaigh Róisín an comórtas sin. Is fiú a lua go raibh craobh Oireachtas Chonradh na Gaeilge 2002 as an damhsaíocht sean-nóis bainte amach aici cheana faoin am sin. Tugadh an dara háit do Noel Clarke as Lios na gCearrbhach, Co. Aontroma, damhsóir a raibh seanstíl álainn gar-go-talamh aige. B'é P.J. Hernon a chas an ceol do na damhsóirí an t-am úd. |
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Some of this country's finest gaelic liturgical singers and traditional musicians made this broadcast a jewel in the imaging of Ros Muc to the rest of the nation and indeed to the world beyond by means of the internet. In our attempts to broaden the spectrum of cultural events, we organised a bi-lingual lecture by Seosamh Ó Cuaig about Patrick Pearse on the premises of his summer home over-looking Lough Oirealach. The Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster who is an ardent researcher and local historian has no short comings when it comes to entertaining his listeners, but on this occasion he was upstaged to some extent by Joe O'Donovan's wife Siobhan who informed the small crowd of 30-40 listeners that her husband was related to the fenian O'Donovan Rossa who, at that point, was being mentioned by Ó Cuaig in his talk. Joe O'Donovan, himself, is also an ardent researcher and avid reader of history and was able to contribute on the same level of expertise as the accomplished broadcaster. It was one of those occasions when one considers themselves lucky to be present. Go gearr i ndiaidh na cuairte ar Theach an Phiarsaigh, thosaigh na hamhránaithe ag teacht chuig Tigh Mhaidhcó le haghaidh sheisiún Chumann Amhranaíochta Iorras Aithneach. Mar a dúradh cheana, mhair sin ceithre huaire an chloig ar an laghad agus thaitin sé go mór leis an lucht éisteachta. |
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Concurrently with the singing session at Tigh Mhaidhcó, the first "junior" version of the Cóilín Sheáin Dharach dance contest was held in the adjacent An Chrannóg public hall. It had two separate divisions, one for dancers under 18 and a second division for dancers under 12. The contests were adjudicated by Joe O'Donovan and the music was provided by P.J Ó hIarnáin. There is no question that the winners of each section are potential dance "champions" of the future. Brian Cunningham, who is also the Oireachtas na Gaeilge under 18 sean-nós dance champion won his division and Marion Ní Neachtain, who is a sean-nós dance student under the guidance of Róisín Ní Mhainín seems to already be developing smoothness and precision with her intricate footwork. |
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| Tá faoin gcoiste eagraithe an comórtas sóisearach seo a fhorbairt ina imeacht níos cáiliúla i gcaoi go bhféadfaí raon níos fairsinge d'iomaitheoirí a mhealladh, b'fhéidir trí iomaitheorí as áiteanna taobh amuigh de Chonamara a mhealladh. Bhí damhsóirí de ghlúin Chóilín Seoige in ann jigeanna, ríleanna agus cornphíopaí a dhamhsa go hiondúil, ach, ar an drochuair, sa tréimhse roimh athspéis na ndaoine óga sa damhsaíocht thraidisiúnta sna nóchaidí, b'iad na seandaoine a raibh leathchéad bliain nó níos mó sáraithe acu a raibh an damhsaíocht shean-nóis acu. Anois tá an "tap reel" san fhaisean agus tá na damhsóirí óga - faraoir! -- chomh caolaigeanta le formhór na gceoltóirí óga eile agus iad ag tabhairt a gcúil leis na jigeanna "seanfhaiseanta" i bhfabhar splanc na ríleanna luatha. Le cúnamh Dé, de bharr an chomórtais shóisearaigh seo, féadfaidh muid spéis a mhúscailt i gcuid den dream óg áitiúil sa chuid shaibhir seo dá ndúchas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Our first year was very "successful" in that the inaugural
comórtas was held to a packed house at Tigh Mhaidhcó and many were turned
away at the door. The contest was launched by, the then minister, of
state Frank Fahey who also obliged the audience with a few steps of
his own. The contest was won by Róisín Ní Mhainín with Séamaisín DeVanny
in second place; the adjudicator was Donncha Ó Muineacháin. The music
for the contest was provided by Neansaí Ní Coisdeabhla and Páidí Tom
Bán Breathnach. Bhí seisiún amhránaíochta oscailte ar siúl ag Tigh Mhaidhcó tráthnóna Dé Domhnaigh faoi choimirce Chumann Amhránaíochta Iorras Aithneach. D'éirigh go binn leis na himeachtaí, a bhí faoi stiúir ag Josie Sheáin Jack, fear an tí. Mhair an seisiún ceithre huaire an chloig; bhí babhtaí damhsaíochta agus ceoil ann chomh maith le amhránaíocht i mBéarla ó chuairteoirí.
At the post event committee meeting, the conclusion was that we had made a "good start", but there was a need to develop a full table of events if the weekend was to attract outside visitors willing to stay in over night lodging. |
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All Day Jig School
Tús
maith leath na hoibre Going from strength to strength |