About Us
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2001. Spearheaded by the Dublin Pipers’ Club, who were the pioneers of Comhaltas, the organisation was formed on the 4th of February 1951 in the Midland Hotel, Mullingar.
The founding fathers included the two Rowsomes, Leo and Tom. Arthur Connick, Paddy McElvanny, Jim Seery, Ned Gorman, Supt. O’Sullivan, Cait Bean Uí Mhuineacháin and Eamonn Ó Muineacháin and they arranged for the holding of the first Fleadh in conjunction with Feis Lár na hÉireann in Mullingar the following May on Whit Sunday weekend. The aims of the Fleadh were to restore to its rightful place the traditional music of Ireland and to bring the cream of traditional musicians from the four corners of Ireland to the midland town.
The first Annual Fleadh was held in St. Mary’s Hall, Mullingar with a concert and céilí on Sunday. On Whit Monday, musicians from all parts of Ireland took part in traditional competitions organised by the local “Feis Committee”. Donegal’s Paddy Kelly from Bundoran won the All-Ireland Fiddle Competition and the weekend was a great success.
Comhaltas did not emerge for some months. On 14th October, 1951 the first standing committee of Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann was elected and on 6th January, 1952. It was decided on the suggestion of Pádraig a’ Cnoic (an uncle of concertina maestro Noel Hill), E. Ó Muineacháin and E. Murray, to change the title of the organisation to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. There followed Annual Fleadhanna Ceoil na hÉireann in Monaghan, Athlone, Cavan and Loughrea. By then this annual gathering had grown to a great National Festival attended by thousands of traditional musicians, singers and dancers from all parts of Ireland and overseas.
Ennis in 1956 was a truly national festival as sessions overflowed from halls and pubs to block the narrow streets. This mighty gathering was immortalised by Robbie McMahon’s famous song “The Fleadh Down in Ennis”
They came from the North and they came from the East,
From the West and the South ‘twas a thriller to see;
With fiddles and bagpipes and piccolo too
And drumsticks to keep them in order.
They came down from Dublin so hearty and gay,
They brought Leo Rowsome to show them the way;
With their flute player Vincent Broderick -
The Fleadh had come to stay.
