The official opening of the 50th Anniversary of Tulla Comhaltas was performed by Senator Labhrás O'Murchú Ardstiúrthóir C.C.E    Also present was Tomas Moloney Ard runaí of Comhaltas.  Pat Brosnan Chairman of Clare County Board of Comhaltas, Vincent Griffin, Chairman of Tulla Comhaltas, Timmy Dooley T.D. Joe Carey T.D., Councillor Joe Cooney representing the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes.   The eloquent M.C. was Joe O'Connor,  Comhaltas Reachtaire.  Other special guests included Fr. B. Lawlor and Fr. M. O'Brien.  The main sponsor of the festival Kiltannon Partnership was represented by Sean Halpin.


The Tulla Pipe Band led a parade to the Courthouse which was followed by groups representing all the local organizations.   St. Mochulla's N.S had a float depicting the flight of the earls with beautiful musical accompanient from the Tulla Pipe Band.   This was commerating the  400th anniversary to the day of the Flight of the Earls.  The huge crowd present in the open air  were then entertained with a rousing performance of wonderful music and dance from the  Tulla session group.


Ceili House
The entertainment then moved to St.Joseph's Secondary School for the recording at 9.00 pm  of Ceili House  with  Kieran Hanrahan featuring  senior all Ireland champions This will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 on Saturday, November 17.  Tulla Céilí Band got the night off to a wonderful start along with the Tulla Senior Set Dancers.  Paddy Canny, Vincent Griffin, Seamus Connolly , Martin Hayes Michael O'Rourke also gave memorable performances and were all there in their capacity as having captured all Ireland senior fiddle titles along with Mary MacNamara who won her all Ireland title on the concertina.   The entertainment stayed at the Secondary School with the  opening ceili for the week-end with the Tulla Céilí Band.

WORKSHOPS

The attendances at the workshops exceeded all expectations with huge numbers at all the events which was not surprising considering the calibre of the tutors with Seamus Connolly and Martin Hayes on fiddle. Gerry Mulvihill on Banjo.  Michael Rooney and Janet Harbison on harp and Catherine McEvoy on Flute.   The concertina workshop was given by Mícheál O'Raghallaigh while the accordion was given by Seamus Bugler and Andrew MacNamara.  Máire Ní Cheallachóir had the Sean Nós singing class while Darach MacMathúna gave wonderful displays in the Sean Nós Dancing workshop.   Wonderful singing could be heard from the Traditional Singing Class of Helen Hayes.

At the Comhrá Gaeilge Workshop on Saturday afternoon Meait Joe Sheamais, R na G launched the Ranganna na Gaeilge Classes classes which is a series of 10 weekly Comhrá Gaeilge classes at St. Joseph's Secondary School Tulla which commenced  on October 1st for 10 Monday nights There are two levels, Improvers for those with little Irish.   Advanced classes suitable for Leaving Cert students preparing for their oral Irish or similar exams.  Sister  Eibhlín Ní Challanáin and Caitlín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh who were the tutors at the Workshops will also be the teachers for the weekly classes for the winter.

ROLL OF HONOURS

As part of the 50 year Celebrations of Tulla Comhaltas.  presentations were made by Senator Labhrás O'Murchú Ardstiurthóir C.C.E to people who had made significant contributions to Irish music and dance.

There were over 300 people present at the ceremony which was part of the archive presentation presented by Pat Costelloe of Clare FM.   "The Humours of Tulla" book based on the musical heritage of East Clare was also launched on the night and is still available locally.


The recipients of the awards all hailed from East Clare and were Paddy Canny who was honoured for a lifetime contribution to traditional Irish music.     Paddy who won the Senior all Ireland fiddle in 1953  recently celebrated his 88th birthday.

Kathleen Moloney for her teaching of set dancing in the East Clare area over a 20 year period giving every young child in the area the chance to learn the Caledonian set.  Kathleen has won 4 all Ireland set dancing titles.  

Vincent Griffin was recognized for his marvellous contribution to the teaching of Irish music over the past 40 years . Vincent is still teaching music in the Ennis and South Galway areas.  He is also the holder of a Senior All Ireland medal for the fiddle and for the slow airs. (Vincent is the current Chairman of Tulla Comhaltas).

Mary MacNamara for her wonderful achievements with the teaching of Irish music.  Today  the  "Music Room" is full of aspiring of young and not so young musicians all learning her lovely East Clare style.  Many of her students have had great successes at Provinical and all Ireland fleadh's.  Mary won all Ireland senior solo Concertina tile in 1979  and duet with Martin Hayes.

Both  Martin Hayes and Seamus Connolly were both honoured for their International Contribution of Irish Music by putting it on the world stage.   Both are all Ireland senior fiddle champions and wonderful ambassadors of Irish Music.
 
The Tulla Céilí band received their award in recognition of their contribution to Céilí music over the last 60 years.  Mark Donnellan accepted the award on behalf of the great Tulla Céilí band.

GALA CONCERT

Among the highlights of the week-end was the GALA CONCERT on Saturday night in St Peter's and Paul Church which was packed to capacity.   It opened with the Tulla Junior Céilí Band. Among the honourable guests present on the night was the Norweigan Amabssador and his wife.  Dr. Manus Maguire honoured them with suitable selections of Shetland music to reflect the connection between Shetland Islands and Norway.  Lovers of harp music enjoyed wonderful harp music from Janet Harbison and Harper, also Michael Rooney who was joined by his  wife June McCormack on flute. A huge applause greeted Paddy Canny who has just celebrated his 88th birthday and  was accompanied on stage by his daughter Mary and grandchildren.
Catherine McEvoy and her family, Pat Mullins, Kate McNamra, Michael Landers, Seamus Bugler, Andrew MacNamara, Maria Quigney, Jennifer Lenihan, Mark Donnellan, Mary Corry, and all the tutors from the workshops entertained the capacity crowd for almost 3 hours of non stop music.
The Kilfenora Céilí Band then rounded off Saturday night with a wonderful Ceili at St. Joseph's Secondary School.   

COMHALTAS MASS The Sunday mass at in St Peter's and Paul Church was broadcasted live on R na G with Máire Ní Cheallachúir soloist and wonderful music arrangements organized by Mary MacNamara.

ENTERTAINMENT AT COURTHOUSE
 
The Tulla pipe band then paraded from the Church to the Courthouse for more music and traditional Irish dancing.   The small children were then entertained by a magician, had their faces painted or watched a puppet

FIDDLE RECITAL

The Fiddle Recital at the Courthouse at 5pm was again sold out..   Sorchadha Costelloe the current under 12 all Ireland Champion gave the opening performance. Seamus Connolly, Martin Hayes, Mark Donnellan  Manus Maguire, Michael O'Rourke , Pat O'Connor and Amy McNamara all gave truly memorable performances. Vincent Griffin, who was the host for the evening, brought the house down with his grand finale performance.

The week-end finished on a very high night with a most memorable Céilí on Sunday night at Minogues with Andrew MacNamara, Martin Hayes, Mark Donnellan & Jim Corry.