Traditional Music In Drumlane
Traditional music song and dance has always been very strong in the parish of Drumlane. Boasting of many Ceili Bands and Pipe Bands over the years. This culturally rich parish has also produced many fine solo musicians, singers and dancers. In more recent years this was very evident in the number of young people taking part in Slogadh,Scor and Fleadhanna Ceoil at all levels right up to and including All Ireland level.
The long serving Breffni Ceili Band founded by Philip Clarke had its roots in this parish and continues to attract musicians from this area. RTE’s Ceili House has broadcast from the Drumlane Bar recently and its presenter Kieran Hanrahan stated that he could easily have produced many more programmes such was the array of talent locally.
Since its formation the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann has got involved in the promotion and preservation of the music, song and dance. Comhaltas is a non-profit making cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world. Their efforts continue with increasing zeal as the movement launches itself into 2008. This hard working branch was chosen to host Fleadh Cheoil an Chabhain 2008. This prestigious event has as its main aim to establish standards in Irish traditional music through competition. The Fleadh has developed as a mainly competitive event, but it also includes showcases of concerts, céilithe, parades, pageants, and street sessions. Continued growth in the number and standard of Fleadhanna held each year have facilitated competitors to qualify from county, provincial and regional levels, producing a manageable number of participants at the high standard expected from the All-Ireland finals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Fleadhanna at each level provide a platform and a meeting place for over 10,000 musicians, who carry on the great tradition of playing and cherishing our music, songs, and dances. . And when the competitions are over, all can join in impromptu sessions, which sometimes last until the early hours.
Testament to the great esteem this branch is currently held in is the fact that it was selected to host the Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland 2007. The Annual Comhaltas Tour of Ireland Macalla na hÉireann took to the road on Sunday, October 14th. This year’s tour featured fourteen concerts throughout the four corners of Ireland, from Stormont Castle to Skibbereen. A selection of twenty top class performers in all fields were assembled to display the highest standards and regional styles that have become synonymous with these events through the years. This offered an opportunity for audiences to hear and see traditional music, song and dance at its purest, best and most exciting. This prestigious event was held in Drumlane Community Centre on Wednesday 17th October ,2007