J 1 - Comhaltas Archive

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LITREACHA
TONY'S PET AVERSION
Baile Atha Cliath,
Tony McMahon has written a pamphlet
on Irish traditional music (commercial
music) : his only motivation can have
been the character-aSsassination of Comhaltas
Ceoltoiri Eireann. It will undoubtedly
rank as one of the "sick" publications
of this generation. It is a gigantic
misrepresentation of history (although
the "about twenty years ago" bad situation
always, uncomfortably for Tony,
coincides with the founding of
Comhaltas!).
Tony fills his diatribe with innuendoes
, un-scholarly generalisations, and
vindictive jibes which, to say the least
of them, are too sick for attention,
His only aim can be to create division
and, God knows, history can provide him
with many such bedfellows. Division
was always the curse of Ireland .
Tony McMahon has once and for all
revealed a deep-seated aversion which
heretofore had been known only to a
few . He doesn't like Comhaltas and in
expressing his aversion he shows no
regard for history, facts , or, indeed,
truth. He blindly lashes a great cultural
movement and blandly absolves all
other organisations. His poison pen seems
to have been unleashed without
discipline or sensitivity. Of course, the
fact that Comhaltas is honoured in this
negative way is an indication of its
real standing.
Tony writes of an identifiable musician
who is not well endowed with the
goods of this world and intimates that
Comhaltas, therefore, should not have a
home of its own (other organisations are
exempt mind you!). (Incidentally, I think
it was most unfair to mention this musician
in his book - there are many
artistes who do not wish to be listed
under the heading of charity. In fact,
there are many thousands of Irish people
who though lacking wealth have an
immense pride in themselves). He seems
to have a hate complex about Comhaltas
which he finds hard to hide even in his
radio programmes. There are times when
his biased attitudes could be questioned
under the heading of "broadcasting
standards". In his latest pamphlet he has
recorded now for all time an
unbelievable bias, which proves conclusively
that this man cannot give radio
licenceholders fair play. Of course,
radio is a powerful medium which is paid
for by the Irish people and at some stage
the whole question of bias and prejudice
may tome up for consideration.
To rtCturn to Tony's aversion : you
will recall his anti-national stand when
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann was
cancelled at a time when the nationalist
population of the Six Coun ties was under
severe coercion - Tony was the only
person to be found to go on radio and
denigrate the Comhaltas stand: opportunism
at its best, but it won't be forgotten.
Tony would like to regard himself as
a liberal. Is he really There is a persistent
rumour going round that he helped
as hatchet man when the Comhaltas radio
programme included a reply to certain
biased comments which he made on his
own programme. The outcome was that
the Comhaltas programme was censored.
True or false
Tony is one of a very small band of
commercial artistes who possibly regard
Comhaltas, because it is an organisation
of the people and depending on
volunteers, as a threat to the business.
Tony makes his music pay (and more
power to him): he is reputed to ask as
high as £50 to £100 per engagement -
does he distribute it all to deserving
cases Of course his attack on Cornhaltas
is really an effort to distract from his own
"a pound for a note" attitude.
Tony's recent attack on Comhaltas
is illogical to the extreme. Of course,
there are a number of desks at the Culturlann
- does he expect the staff to work
on the floor Does he himself work in
primitive conditions in RTE: I understood
that the radio studios are the
most modern in Europe. I do know that
they are not using butter-boxes. Maybe
he feels that "professionals" deserve the
best but that anything is good enough
for our native culture ("bog-oak"). The
Culturlann has a recording studio, a
library, a recreation hall, etc. Why
begrudge such things Back to good old
mother England - keep the natives
ignorant is it
Culturlann na hEireann was made
possible by the people. It was not State
money. It came from raffles, Church-gate
collections, personal contributions,
concerts, ceilis, card-games and concert
tours (which included many commercial
musicians who gave their time voluntarily
and willingly). The money came from the
villages and towns of Ireland; from
friends in Britain, the United States, and
Canada: and it was raised solely and
specifically for the Culturlann. No one
had the right to spend it otherwise. Of
course, Tony didn't provide this background
information because that would
be too revealing and take the sting out
of his vendetta. It is also revealing that
Tony makes no attack on other organisations
who aren't confined to butterboxes.
I wonder why There is an answer,
you know!
And one final piece of infonnation
which, of course, is no secret: Comhaltas
has on many occasions engaged the
musician mentioned by Tony McMahon
and paid for the literary and musical
contributions (not charity). The organisation
doesn't go around broadcasting
their "good deeds": what a pity others
aren't as sensitive.
Tony, your musicianship is
appreciated and respected but please
don't use it as a vehicle for stabbing
an organisation like Cornhaltas in the
back. There is one border too many
in Ireland. Tony, all your childish
viciousness wont change the course of
history or rob such a fine movement like
Comhaltas of its much deserved laurels.
You have maligned many thousands of
people at home and abroad. With a view
to attracting the :spotlight to yourself.
Remember you are now in the open;
you have taken the shilling and written
tripe for the "antis" but you have also
recorded your vindictiveness for posterity.
CIARAN MAC CRAITH
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