Comhaltas Archive

In the Shadow of KnocklydeBaile Caislean situated in an areasteeped in history and tradition is locatedbetween the valleys of Glentaisieand Glenshesk and is overshadowed bythe dome shaped hill of Knocklayde.So dominant a feature of the landscapeis Knocklayde that it has been frequentlymentioned in the songs and poetryof the north Antrim area."I will sing of a mountain, the prideof the north,Whose tenderest beauties I mean to setforth.To paint its fair colours, I am reallyafraid,And the name of it goes under thefamous Knocklayde.At the foot of this mountain I mean toresideWhere the cattle are grazing and streamletsdo glide,But capricious fortune has so hurriedmeNigh to Ballycastle in view of the sea."The entire area is a haven for poets andhistorians and many are the referencesto the personalities from Irish mythology.As Finn MacCoul went hUf)ting,One Summer's afternoon,In dark Glenshesk's deep valleyBeneath the silvery moon.These are lines taken from the versesof J ames Studdard Moore known as"Dusty Rhodes" who wrote at length ofthe battle era of the MacQuillan andMacDonnell clans.MacDonnell the haughty to Aura hathcomeWith hawberk, battle axe, standard anddrum,With message insulting the treacherousKnave,Hath dared to combat MacQuillan, thebrave.MacQuillan hath summoned his clans tothe fray,His best and his bravest from mountainand brae ;From Inishowen's headlands to levelArmoyDunseverick's proud castle and steepBallintoy.In recent years the town of Ballycastlehas become a household namefrom the famous song of John McAuleywoodcarver, when he penned the lineson the Lammas Fair.At the our Lammas Fair, boys were youever there?Were you ever at the fair in BallycastleoDid you treat your Mary Ann to somedulse and yellow-manAt the our Lammas Fair in BallycastleO.There's a neat little cabin on the slopesof our KnocklaydeTwas lit by love and sunshine where theheather honey's madeAbd the bees ever humming, and thechildren's joyous callResounds across the valley where theshadows fall.So I'll take my fiddle down and myMary smiling thereBrings back the happy memories of theLammas Fair."The Home of ComhaltasCulturlann na hEireann is at Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin(phone: 01-800295): here in· this beautiful setting is the "home ofIrish traditional entertainment"-the headquarters of Comhaltas.There is a cead mne failte for all who come to visit us and,as you willsee below, there is a full Summer programme of native entert~inmentin our new theatre Geantrai.Mondays/Tuesdays(June 3-Sept. 3)8.30 p.m. Taille: £3Wednesdays/Thursdays(June 5-Sept. 5)8.30 p.m. TaiUe £3Fridays (June 7-Sept. 6)9 p.m. TaiUe: £3SEISIUN- An entertaining cabaretstyleshow of traditional music, songand dance.FONNTRAi-This colourful FolkTheatre show recalls for you in thedrone of the pipe, the roll of the bodhninand the weave of the dance all themagic and spontaneity of Irish traditions.CEId-Re-creation of the traditionalhouse-dance. It is fun for all the famiiyto learn the steps and participate in the"Haymaker's Jig"; "The Siege ofEnnis" ; "The Walls of Limerick"; "TheSixteen-Hand Reel':; the old countrysets; and many more.Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays SESSIONS-Informal displays of tradi-(All year round)tional musiC, song and dance with9 p.m. Taille: £1 Comhaltas branches.Sundays(June 2-Sept. 8)8.30 p.m. Taille: £2COlS TEALLAIGH-Musicians, singersand dancers talk about and demonstratetheir art.25