~t:.lilt l=- '~li - Comhaltas Archive

• # ...... . ..... -.The Earl's h•In BallinloughThe John Gaffney Branch ofComhaltas in Ballinlough haverecognised the contribution thatmusicians, singers and dancers of thearea made to the cultural life of thelocality, which permeates to this dayon a national level.Irish traditional music is nowextremely popular throughout theworld and though Comhaltas afulr Itsformation in 1951 up to this day hasplayed the major role In thisexpansion, this would not have beenpossible were it not1c>t the peoplewho kept the mUitc allYe during theearly part f!If the 1900's and before.Thes. ~ the people that arereco&nised in Ballinlough by theComhaIas branch in the form of alimestone seat placed outside theWhite House Hotel and named 'TheEarl's Chair' (the name of a good reel)The chair was unveiled by SenatorLabhras 6 Murchu Director Ge08laof Comhaltas Ceolt6irf ~ireann, . .. ~~8pm Mass in Ballintouahoffered for the happy repOSfrgreat people.Many ern ... hIUthave -. WII1J AlClDl'iillllWhen John returned from Americahe lived in BaIIInlough and was wellknown for his music and teaching.Another man who was famous in theUSA was Thomas Caufield fromGr;mae. Ballinlough. Born in 1903 heemigrated to the USA in 1924 andsettled in Philadelphia. In the 193O'tupto the 1950's he was No I inIrish Musician Union of whicI)Secretary and Treasurer. H. ~and played with the Erin'$: '.rideOrchestra, a band whldlorplayed asurvival andChair' will hopefullypeople of the Iepcy. wblchhave left us and how much weshould appreciate It.A Symbol of AppreciationIn bis-a4dress at the unveiling~ony. Senator Labhris 6 Murchuaid: 'The 'Earl's Chair', this limestone.... In the village of Ballin10uah laintended as a symbol of ~for all those men and womtIt-.down through the years kept thetraditional music, song and dance ofIreland alive. Many of .... finepeople emigrated and btouIht theirtraditional arts to far off plues,passed them on to the n_generation and today their.".......... h ..............-.. ,"".......-._ :::r'(l :~::;'I =,::;,:_."..";.........,, (" ..... ... ~·or ......... ~ ..........-~:~~~~.".they sowed theto harvest and thatm ll'VP'