J 1 - Comhaltas Archive

TRALEE HONOURS FOR
AN STIURTHOIR
Labhras 0 Murchu, Ard-Stiurthoir of
Comhaltas, was recently given a Civic
Reception by Tralee U.D.C. in recognition
of his work for Irish culture both
at home and abroad. Our picture shows
U.D.C. Chairman, Mr Michael O'Regan,
presenting An Stiurthoir with a plaque as
a token of his visit to the town. Also
included are Una Bean Ui Mhurchu~
Mr Sean Crispie , Town Clerk; and Seamus
o Conchubhair, Kerry Co. Board Chairman
of Comhaltas.
Officers of the Kerry County Board of CCE
pictured with Labhras 0 Murchu, Ard-S tiurthoir,
at a meeting in Tralee recently. Front row:
Seam as 0 Conchubhair (Cathaoirleach). Treasa
Feiriteur (Runai), Labhras 0 Murchu and
Michael 0 Dubhlaing (Leas-Cathaoirleach).
Back row: Maitiu 0 Maonaigh (Leas-Runai),
Brendan Feirtear (Oifigeach Caidrimh Poibli),
Michael O'Suilleabhan (Iniuchoir) agus Diarmuid
o Cearbhaill (Cisteoir).
JOHN HEN R Y, 1976 piano-accordion champion
from Bellaghy, the newly elected Vice-Chairman
of Derry County Board of Comhaltas. A young
teacher, he finds time to coach musicians as
well as doing work on the administration side.
OIREACHTAS CHAMPION
of 1910
Through the medium of our marvellous
little magazine Treoir perhaps I could
ascertain if my mother is the oldest
living Oireachtas Dancing Champion. She
is a lively 83 years old and won this
championship in 1910. I doubt if there is
a medal nowadays to equal the beauty of
this solid gold medal stamped Oireachtas
1910. She also has other All-Ireland
medals won in 1912, the exact replica of
our present day ones. As I look through
her medals, I see Fr. Matthew Feis and
the Dublin Feis collection and a beautiful
one which is the Viceroy's medal for
National Dances which she won at the
Dublin Civic Exhibition in 1914 and which
was presented to her by Lady Aberdeen.
She tells me in those days not alone had
you to dance your way to becoming a
winner - but before being allowed enter
you had an oral Irish examination and the
committee had to be satisfied that every
visible piece of clothing you were wearing
was Irish made - from the Irish poplin
ribbon on your hair to the Irish leather
soles of your shoes (with no tips allowed).
I can safely say that it is from their
Grandmoter that my own children
inherited this gift! My son now 26 won
the All-Ireland Championship; My
daughter now 18 won the World Dancing
Championship; my youngest, IS-year old
Shirley, is all Ireland gold medalist in solo
dancing. My mother is a native of Dublin
and still lives there. In the dancing world
of 1909, 10, 11 , 12 she was known as
Margaret Murtagh, perhaps some of your
older readers may remember her.
Emma Mullan, Mullingar Branch C.C.E.
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