Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann

The Irish Musicians' Association of Rochester, New York

 

The Tom Finucane Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, pronounced cole-tus kyol-tory air-in was established in 1985 in Rochester. It is part of a world-wide organization which has over 400 branches worldwide, and 50 branches in North America.

Comhaltas or CCE was formed in 1951 and the main office is based in Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland. Our chapter's aims are non-political and non-religious and people of all ages participate in our events. Regular activities locally include music lessons, music jam sessions, Irish dance workshops, ceilis (kay-lees) and celebrity concerts and we have hosted the CCE tour of North America many times most recently in Canandaigua, New York. Our local chapter has close links with and maintains joint activities with the Buffalo chapter (The Buffalo Arts Society) named after the talented Martin Wynne from County Sligo, Ireland. The Martin Wynne Branch. As a way of keeping members and non-members informed, a magazine called Treoir (trawer) is published quarterly, containing articles and informative items such as festivals, traditional tunes, songs, and fleadh cheoil (flah quol) music festivals.

 

Our website was developed as a resource both publicizing our activities locally and abroad, whilst directing readers to other Irish local groups around Rochester, thus helping to develop further awareness of the Irish tradition in our community. Comhaltas has made documentary films, videos and recordings to preserve the Irish traditional culture.

 

Comhaltas Radio Show & Archives

Ted Mcgraw offers an Archive Reference for music lovers and also provides an Audio Restoration service. Ted is the Host/Producer of the 'Irish Party House' radio show, on the air for 30 years in Rochester, and has been presented many awards by local organizations for his work and dedication to Irish music and culture in the Rochester community. Ted is also the Chairman of the North American Archive Committee of Comhaltas and is the interface to the Irish Music Center at Boston College which is the repository for the Comhaltas collection.

 

 

 

Involvement and support are welcome at all times. Taghair cuairt ar Comhaltas! - Come along and visit one of our events. Information about learning Irish language please contact Regional Irish officer An Gaeilgeoir - pronounced ' on gailgoar' in literal terms means ' The Irish Speaker'.

 

Our organization is a member of the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester

Check our links page for information on other local groups and connections to Irish music information worldwide.

 

Please direct any site questions or comments to the Webmaster