U - Comhaltas Archive

artistes: Sean 6 Siochain (Cork),Margaret O'Reilly (Cavan),Martin Mulhare (Galway), SeanSeery (Dublin), Robert McMahon(Clare), John J Sheridan and ourown Jimmy McHugh (Fiddle)who went on to win All Irelandhonours, Paddy Carr(Accordion), Rose Friel (BalladSinger) and Pat McNulty(Uilleann Pipes). The CharlieKelly School of Irish Dancinggave dancing displays.Ceili dancing was very popular atthis time in Glasgow and waspromoted by the Fianna FailBranch in Glasgow (again theonly branch outside Ireland)under the enthusiasticorganisation of Fred Sweeney.Knowing that Ceili dancing wassafe in the hands of 'Big Fred',the Irish Minstrels focused theirattention on the promotion ofmusic and singing, movingvenues as the branch grew inpopularity. When JimmyMcHugh won the All Irelandfiddle in Dungarvan (1957) thebranch celebrated! A very welldeserved honour for Jimmy!Then, in Longford the followingyear Owen Kelly came second inthe men's ballad competitionwith his now well-known 'BonnyWhite Hare'.Despite difficulties in those early,lean years, the branch held theirfirst All Britain Fleadh in thePatrick Burgh Halls in 1964.Three branches entered London,Birmingham and Glasgow. TheFleadh programme makesinteresting reading!In 1968, the branch was asked tohost the All Britain Fleadh again50but by this time the competitionwas bigger. Expenses for fiveadjudicators had to be paid andthe coffers were empty. OwenKelly was involved with the GAA,which had makeshift huts at theirfootball ground.Events were held to build up funds- not without some interventionfrom the local 'polis' who, whenthey paid a visit to the late nightproceedings at the GAA parkaccused our 'pioneers' of running a'shebeen'. (As if they would!).However, the target was achievedand events were well organisedby founder members and anothermuch loved and respectedmember of the branch, LenaTierney, who acted as Secretaryfor many years. Sadly, both LenaTierney and Jimmy McHughdied in recent years.The 1968 All Britain Fleadh washeld in St. Mary's, AbercrombyStreet in the Calton area ofGlasgow and was a memorableone with many musicians of note