Video
Comhaltas Video Archive
Irish traditional music is a passionate art form. The energy of dance music and the pathos and humour of traditional singing can be difficult to appreciate unless you have the chance to observe it at close quarters. Short of being there, we think that the ComhaltasLive video programmes give you a great chance to do just that.
We began a project a few years ago to document some of the great performances of traditional music. In association with the Irish International Webcasting Company, the ComhaltasLive project set out to capture some of the current ‘greats’ of traditional music, document some of the promising young stars and also to show music within its historical context by referencing audio and video from the past.
The weekly ComhaltasLive programmes have been well-received, and thousands of people have had a chance to see some of this great music up close and personal. Please take a look at this week’s programme, or browse through excerpts from our past programmes.
Suggest a show
If there’s an event or opportunity coming up that you think we ought to cover, just send us a note and we’ll see what we can do. And if we can’t get there, maybe you’d like to write up the event for our journal, Treoir. Don’t forget to include some photos and, where possible, one or two video clips on DVD which we may be able to upload on to the website.
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- ComhaltasLive #675_4:Ciarán McKenna and Megan Teague
- 26 April 2024
- Taking 1st place in 15-18 Duets Competition at the Ulster Fleadh Cheoil 2023 in Dromore, Co. Tyrone, Ciarán McKenna and Megan Teague from CCÉ, Clogher Valley, Co. Tyrone, play a Jig - “The Castleblaney Piper” (Ed. Reavy”).
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- ComhaltasLive #675_3:5 musicians from the local Lackagh Comhaltas Branch
- 25 April 2024
- Recorded in the local historic Claregalway Castle, Galway, 5 musicians from the local Lackagh Comhaltas Branch play a Jig and Reel - “Sir Donats Road” and “The Red Bee” (J. Liddy). Don’t miss the Glissando ‘Explosion’ on the piano in the middle of the tunes ! ! The musicians are Emma Crowley, Lorna Forde, Nicole McLoughlin, Aisling Cribbin and Leah Elwood. Many thanks to Sharon Connell-Geraghty for her invitation to record and for all her help organising the recordings on 10th March 2024, and to her fellow Lackagh Comhaltas Teachers - Sinéad Walsh, Annemarie Hughes,Mary Duggan and Rachael Hughes. Upcoming Comhaltas Live Programmes will include many more items from the huge variety of the material recorded.
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- ComhaltasLive #675_2:Orlaith McAuliffe joined by the McKee brothers
- 24 April 2024
- All-Ireland Champion for 2011 on Concert Flute and Tin Whistle, Orlaith McAuliffe from London is joined by the McKee brothers from Derry - Stephen on Banjo and Eoin on Bodhrán, with Eddie Kane (Kildare) on Guitar, for a selection of 3 Reels - “Tommy People’s”, “The Long Drop” and “The Galtee Rangers”. Stephen and Eoin played with the Slieve Gallion Céilí Band (on Banjo and Drums) in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019. Incidentally, Stephen is playing the rarely-heard 22-fret Banjo, as against the more usual 19 fret.
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- ComhaltasLive #675_1:The Melbourne Céilí Band
- 23 April 2024
- Bringing a new element of Sound and Visuals to the Senior Céilí Bands Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 in Mullingar, the Melbourne Céilí Band from Australia play a
March - “The Pikeman’s March”. The Band, who travelled over 17,000 Km, received a rousing and well-deserved reception from the delighted audience. Band members are - Fiddles : Angus Barbary, Caitlín Brennan and Declan Simpson; Flute : Máirtin Staunton; Concertina : Shauna Moore; Pipes : Conor Hoy; Banjo : Anthony McTigue; Piano : Margaret Carty; Drums : Bec Simpson; Didgeridoo : Rhys Crimmin. Other excellent selections from the Band will, of course, be featured in upcoming Comhaltas Live Programmes
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- ComhaltasLive #674_full:
- 22 April 2024
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- ComhaltasLive #674_15:Lissadell Senior Céilí Band
- 21 April 2024
- Taking 3rd place at the Connacht Fleadh Cheoil 2023 in Ballina, Mayo, the Lissadell Senior Céilí Band from CCÉ, Paddy Killoran, Sligo, play a selection of Jigs - “The Meelick Team” and “The Hearty Boys of Ballymote”.
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- ComhaltasLive #674_14:St. Roch’s Céilí Band
- 20 April 2024
- From Scotland, St. Roch’s Céilí Band, CCÉ, Irish Minstrels, play a Jig - “Apples in Winter” - in the 15-18 Céilí Bands Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 in Mullingar.
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- ComhaltasLive #674_13:Conall Ó Cnaimhin and David Scott
- 19 April 2024
- In the Senior Duets Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 in Mullingar, Conall Ó Cnaimhin and David Scott from CCÉ, Camross, Co. Laois, play a Hornpipe - “The Golden Eagle”.