U - Comhaltas Archive

$ COMHALTASBeating the drum for Comhaltas:An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern trying hishand at the bodhrdn with members ofCraobh Chluain Tarbh when he turnedthe sod of CLASA C the new regionalcentre of Comhaltasoutlines the exceptionalthe Comhaltas Development P(Qlorll'mnleand the plans forIn 1999 Senator Tony Kettarranged for Des Garvan and JimMcAllister to meet with theTaoiseach and we outlined ourplans for C LASAC and requestedhis support. This support wasforthcoming, not just with wordsof encouragement but moreimportantly by way of a specialallocation of €900,000 in theBudget of 2000. This ensured wehad credibility in Governmentcircles. We are indebted to BertieAllern for his continuing supportover the many years.As with all projects of this sizethe list of people to thankbecomes almost endless; TheClontarf members for theirsupport and encouragementwhether selling tickets for the'Beetle' (our first fundraiser) orthe 10 years of Concerts in theNational Concert Hall - all themusicians, singers and dancerswho have travelled with CLASACsince 1995 to numerous Festivalsaround the world - to friendsfrom all in the Comhaltas Familyfor their encouragement atdifficult times - J ohn Deaton ourArchitect, for his patience andgood advice and his talent inproducing a landmark building -Marie Connaughton and DerbhilGalldubh whose support andencouragement was unwaveringthrough the most difficult anddark times.11