U - Comhaltas Archive

Trad is so trendy(eol is now the reelthing for well-ta-dokids who arethey can't keep upDaniel McConnell, 'Sunday Independent'learning to strumtheir stuff with thebest of them.It was once deemed sounfashionable that there werefears it could die out completely.But wealthy parents are rushingto sign up their children to thelatest must-enrol fadtraditionalIrish music lessons.Children from across the countryare flocking to learn trad, anddemand is so great in some areasthat long waiting lists now exist.Classes round the country arepacked to the brim and waitinglists, especially in Dublin, arenow reaching, 'ridiculous levels',according to organisers.As more and more parents aresending their children toGaelscoileanna, there has been asignificant surge in interest inIrish trad music.According to Comhaltas Ceolt6iriEireann, which runs lessons,parents from areas such asFoxrock, Blackrock, Clontarf andMonsktown in Dublin, and inwell-to-do areas in Cork andGalway, are struggling to landtheir child a place in the classes.'We now have over 400 branchesaround the world, but in Irelandwe have over 1,000 classes,'said Senator Labhras 6 Murchu.'It's wonderful to see such ahealthy, vibrant interest in ourtraditional music.'One Comhaltas official spokeyesterday of classes being held inhalls and on staircases, tofacilitate demand. Children fromfive to 18 are taught a wide rangeof instruments such as flute,harp, whistle, accordion, fiddle,bodhran, piano and guitar.Senator 6 Murchu also says thatthe increasing numbers ofplayers helps to sustain a healthyindustry in making instruments.Many of the children learn to playmany instruments, somethingactively encouraged byComhaltas. If a child takes classesin more than one instrument, inmany cases the secondinstrument is taught for free.Audrey Wilson from Clontarf hasbeen attending classes for fiveyears, and thinks playing39