America·bound 8HARON SHANNON (Clare),SEAM US McMAHON (Clare), CAROLCUMMINS (Cork) and KATHLEENGRIFFIN (Kerry) pictured at rehearsals forthe 1985 North American Tour at Culturlannna hEireann.organisation made possible by the organisingcommittees, host families andsu pporters. The fact that there are stillso many venues interested in hosting aconcert is an indication of the dedicationand efficiency of this network.The work of the last 15 years is not asuperficial exercise as evidenced by thefact that there are now 22 Branches of<strong>Comhaltas</strong> in North America and it ispossible that this will increase to 25 inthe coming year.Sept. 242526272829TOUR VENUESLong IslandManhattan/BronxPougbkeepsieNewHavenBostonOttawaOct. 1 Winnepeg2345691112131516171819For further information contact:ReginaVancouver B.C.San FranciscoAnneheimSan PedroPhoenixSt. LouisChicago North SideChicago South SideLondon, OntarioTorontoClevelandDetroitNew York CityBill McEvoy, 928 Hawkins Av., Lake Crove 11755 L.I. N. Y.Helen Cannon, 4780 WhitehavenDr. St. Louis. Mo. 63123Paul Curry, 27 Creenway Place, Meriden CT 06450JimMcCinty, 255 Bronx River Rd., Yonkers 10704Tom McSwiggan, 3107 Southmoke Drive East, OttawaEamonn O'Loughlin, 121 Decarie Circle, Islington Onto516-328-8015212-569-6898914-897-5457203-755-8047617-899-0911613-7334719204453-8045306-522-1917604-254-1205415-566-2194213-831-6182213-831-6182602-946-4710314-831-4014312-457-1654312457-1654519-685-1148416-621-5747216-779-1730313464-4119914-237-5613516-588-3709314-849-1662203-235-3454914-237-5613613-733-8045416-621-5747SolidarityThe following resolution was unanimouslypassed by the ¥nual Congressof Cornhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann meetingat Culturlann na · hEireann, BelgraveSquare, Monkstown:That this Congress of CornhaltasCeoltoiri Eireann deplores the decreasein the annual Arts Council grant to<strong>Comhaltas</strong> for 1985 and the proposedaxing of the National EntertainmentScheme grant in 1986. Neither logicnor fair play, art nor audience considerationcould justify this act on the partof a statutory body which has controlover £5 Y. million of taxpayers' money.The decision of the Arts Council notto fund native entertainment, whilefunding other forms of entertainment, isselective victimisation of the native artform . This is a major change in policyand would obviously require the sanctionof the Minister for Art and Culture,Mr. Ted Nealon, T.D. We request theMinister to state if, in fact, such sanctionwas given by him.This Congress further deplores anyinterference by Arts Council representativeswith the units of Cornhaltasthroughout the country. Offers ofgrants, as reported by some of our units,to leave the Cornhalta!f movement has tobe unprecedented in the history of theState.The fact that the fmdings of a Surveyconducted by Landsdowne Market ResearchLtd. on behalf of the ArtsCouncil have been ignored is a matter ofconcern. This survey showed Irish traditionalmusic in a premier positionamong the living arts in Ireland whileless than 2% of the Arts Council budgetis allocated to the native art form.The proposed axing of the NationalEntertainment Scheme in 1986 becausethe Arts Council deem it to be"community" orientated is an insult tolocal communities throughout thecountry and is a matter to which legislatorsmust address themselves immediately.Democracy demands suchaction.It is ironic that one of the priority interestsof tourists - native entertainment- should be hit in the manner suggested.The National EntertainmeritScheme is the only such extensive networkof its kind in the country. It hasbeen in existence for the last 14 yearsand has been one of our great successstories.We call on the Minister, Mr. TedNealon, T.D., to act immediately to redressthe treatment being meted out toCornhaltas and native entertainment.We request him to examine the prioritiesof the Arts Council and ensureequitable distribution of State funds forart and culture. We further request himto ensure that local communities willnot be victimised as envisaged in thenew Arts Council policy.3