Comhaltas Archive

Colour Abounds in ParadeAt 1 p.m. on Sunday the rain came down so heavily and it was inconceivablethat a parade of the magnitude normally associated with the Fleadh Nua, couldbe held. There were consultations held and strong consideration given to callingit off. Was a great tradition about to be broken? Opinions were divided butweighing heavily on the side of the 'go ahead' brigade was the fact that going onpast records, a host of floats would have been prepared. People were alreadycoming in to the town, the atmosphere was rising, irrespective of the weather.The rain ceased, the skies became brighter and fmgers were crossed that it wouldremain so, at least until the parade was over.It worked out precisely in that way.The cultural parade, always the peakpoint. of Fleadh Nua got under way, anda colourful exposition of tasteful floatswended their way through the narrowstreets of the town returning to theplace from which they set off, theCourthouse, to be reviewed by politicaland Cornhaltas Dignatories, led byLimerick, T.D., Tom O'Donnell, M.E .P.The Ennis Brass band led the paradewhich comprised forty eight items in all.There were bands from Fermoy,Nenagh, Limerick, Templemore, Loughreaand several school bands from allparts of Clare. Irish dancing schools,scouts, majorettes were there too andthe interest shown by a host of industrialand commercial firms was reflectedin the magnificent floats prepared. Allavailable vantage points were taken upby eager onlookers as the parade madeRecreating the Old Forge in the Fleadh NuaCultural Parade were Cloughleigh CCEmembers (left to right) THOMAS BROOKS,TOM COFFEY, JlM JONES, JIMMY FRAW­LEY and DICK O'CONNELL.its way along the route. It was an occasionto be savoured - especially soas the weather had made a miraculousrecovery.When all floats had returned to base,the attendance was addressed byDeputy O'Donnell and the CornhaltasDirector General, Labhnis b Murchuand then it was the turn of the LiverpoolCeili band to mount the stand andpresent a concert in their own inimitablestyle to a most appreciativeaudience. Robbie McMahon joinedthem too and his "Spancilhill" broughtthe inevitable cheers from the enthusiasticassembly.DANCE CHAMPIONSThose renowned set dancers from 0'Callaghan's Mills proved their peerlessnesswhen coming out on top in theNational championships held in Cois nahAbhna on Saturday at the Fleadh Nua.Their senior set took first prize fromvery stiff opposition, with another Claregroup, Dysart, as runners-up, andGrange (Limerick) in third place.The Ryan duet, Tipperary, performing at theAos Og Concert in theDanlann at the FleadhNua, Ennis.The senior half set title also stayed inClare with the Sixrnilebridge G .A.A.group. Emerald (Ballinasloe) wererunners up and Wexford CCE camethird.The first competition of a long dayagain brought the top award to Clarewith St. Mary's, Lissycasey, winningthe U/ 14 category. Killorglin and Tullafilled the minor places.The only set title to leave Clare wasthe half set (0/ 18) the winners herebeing Emerald, Inish Oir and Gort weresecond and thrid respectively. Bodykewon the U/ 18 set competition from St.J oseph's (Doora/ Barefield) and Ard naRi.Both figure dancing titles went toCork, Cumann Locha winning the eighthand dance from Oriel (Clones) andAthlone repeating that win in the fourhand dance, from Oriel and SixmilebridgeG.A.A.Under Padraig MacMathuna's directionand guidance, these competitionswhich attracted a very large gatheringthroughout the day , proved to be mostenjoyable. Very keen competition ofa high standard made adjudication extremelydifficult.mGH STANDARDSThe standard of the stageshow, pro-10