The Liverpool Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann was one of the earliest branches of Comhaltas formed outside the Island of Ireland (in 1957) and is the oldest surviving Branch in the Province of Britain outside of Scotland.
Comhaltas CeoltoirI Eireann had been formed in Ireland in 1951, with the intention of promoting and preserving the traditional music, song, dance and language of Ireland, which at the time was felt to be in danger from the encroachment of other forms of leisure activity, arts
and entertainment from outside of Ireland.
The Branch originated from the thriving Irish music, dancing and cultural environment in Liverpool in the years after the Second World War. The Irish community in Liverpool in the 1950s was already well-established and well-organised, with several cultural organisations already thriving, such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Gaelic League and the many Catholic churches and schools that played such a major part in cementing the Irish, mainly Nationalist communities together in the post-war period in Liverpool and so many other British cities.
By 1957 the core of what was to become the Liverpool Ceili Band were already playing together regularly at ceilis and other events around Liverpool and a decision was taken to form a
branch of Comhaltas in Liverpool. There were many musicians who played with the band over the late 50s and early 60s, including Seán McNamara, Charlie Lennon, Eamonn Coyne (Snr), Peggy Peakin, Kit Hodge, Peadar Finn, Frank Horan, and Tomas Ó Canainn (who was the first Cathaoirleach, or Chairman of Comhaltas in Liverpool).
The Liverpool Ceili Band became one of the most renowned bands of their type in the world of
Traditional music, and were the first band from outside Ireland to win the All-Ireland Championship Title in 1963, repeating the achievement in 1964. Their fame spread beyond Liverpool and they toured in the USA and Canada and made several broadcasts. They recorded two LPs, now regarded as classics, in the early 60s: ‘Off To Dublin’ and ‘Champions Twice’, for the Rex label. The band continued to perform until the early 2000s with many musicians passing through their ranks.
In 2017 a new Liverpool Ceili Band was formed and this new band has recently qualified again for the All-Ireland Fleadh – the first time a Senior Ceili Band from an English branch has done so for several years.
In 1965, the Wellington Rooms at 127 Mount Pleasant was established as the Liverpool Irish
Centre and became home to Comhaltas and many other Irish cultural organisations and activities serving the City of Liverpool.
The Centre quickly became a focus for the teaching and transmission of Irish traditional music,
song, dance and language, much of it delivered by the same musicians who had established the Liverpool Branch in the late 1950s. In addition, Liverpool Comhaltas became renowned as a stronghold of Irish traditional singing. For many years, Mary McAndrew, Bruce Scott, Dr Ursula
Burke and many other singers and teachers devoted their efforts unselfishly to the preservation of the Irish Sean-Nós singing tradition. These teachers often brought their skills and knowledge to branches outside Liverpool and to communities outside of the Irish diaspora, generously
welcoming generations of young people into the riches of the Irish singing tradition. This is
something we are very keen to bring back to Comhaltas in Liverpool.
Comhaltas also played a central role in the now-legendary Monday night traditional music
sessions at the Centre in Mount Pleasant, where musicians from the Irish community gathered
together with players from the folk music scene (many of whom had few, if any, connections with
Ireland) in a shared celebration fuelled by a common love for the music of Ireland among traditional and folk musicians alike. This is one of the points about Comhaltas that cannot be emphasized too strongly.
Our first duty is to ensure that successive generations of the Irish community still have a musical and cultural heritage to hold onto and pass on to the future. But also we have a duty – as well as an opportunity – to share that culture with the wider society we live in, in a way
that promotes self-respect as well as respect for other cultures and communities. Liverpool Comhaltas is one of the means by which the Irish community in Liverpool looks outwards towards the wider community and society and says: ‘This is who we are. Welcome’.
Since the old Centre in Mount Pleasant closed, the centre at Boundary Lane has been our base and home in Liverpool. We have shared it with all the groups and communities that have come out of the Liverpool Irish Community throughout the Community’s history. We owe the Centre and all of the staff an immeasurable debt of gratitude and are always proud to take part in the life of the Centre.
The Centre has been host to may Comhaltas events. For many years it was the venue of the ‘Echoes of Erin’ concert tour when it visited Liverpool. Comhaltas was also proud to take part in many events organised by the Centre, most notably, perhaps, the ‘Skibbereen to Scotland Road’ show that was staged at St George’s Hall (and later at the Centre) to mark Liverpool’s selection as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
It’s been my privilege to be Branch Cathaoirleach of Liverpool Comhaltas for the last two years, In that time, we have seen a great transformation within the Branch.
We have recruited new teachers who have a vast knowledge of the music, as well as retaining
long-serving teachers whose experience and wisdom has helped keep the Branch healthy.
We have a new tranche of families and students who have breathed new life and energy into
Monday night lessons. This has included parents who have come through to lead the Branch into
the future.
It’s my view that Comhaltas in Liverpool is entering a new and exciting period in its history.
Go riabh mile maith agaibh!
Chris Boland
Cathaoirleach
Liverpool Comhaltas
August 2024
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