Our weekly music classes resume after the long summer break on Saturday, 13th September, in Anahorish Primary School.

We’re currently offering classes in whistle, flute and fiddle, with concertina and accordion (button key) dependant on demand but will also consider putting on classes in other instruments if there’s sufficient interest.

We would ask anyone who would like to sign up for a class, including returning pupils, to fill out the online registration form (link below) before next Wednesday. The form can also be used to express an interest in an instrument we don’t currently offer classes in. This will help us finalise a timetable which will be communicated to pupils a day or two before classes begin. Classes will be from 10:30-11:15 or 11:15-12:00 and fees will be collected on the morning of the first class.

All ages (we recommend from P3 upwards) and abilities, including beginners, will be catered for in all of our classes.

We’re also seeking volunteers to help out with supervision at our classes and would encourage parents in particular to get involved as the viability of our classes depends on our ability to provide adequate safeguarding for the children. The registration form includes a section where you can express your willingness and availability to help out on a regular or ad hoc basis.

The cost of the autumn term is £50 which includes a discounted membership fee of £5 per child. Additional family members will pay £40 (again including membership fee) while the cost of a second class (in a different instrument) will also be £40. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or debit/credit card. Other membership options are:

Family – £18
Senior – £11
2nd senior in household – £7
Junior (not attending classes) – £5.50

The term will run from 13th September until 13th December (inclusive) with a two week mid-term break at Halloween, so no classes on 25th October or 1st November.

The registration form can be accessed by clicking here.

We had several prizewinners and qualifiers from this year’s county fleadhanna in Derry and Antrim in both solo and group competitions including Maryrose Murphy (pictured) who competed in both the Concertina and Whistle competitions at the Ulster Fleadh in Warrenpoint. Our only qualifier for the All-Ireland fleadh was Caitriona Lagan who won the Newly Composed Tune and was runner-up in Miscellaneous Instruments and Mandolin competitions. Although there were no medals to report from the All-Ireland Fleadh, both Caitriona and Caoimhe O’Kane had the privilege of making their debuts in the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland with their performance of ‘Seoda Loch Garman’ in the National Opera House in Wexford on Friday, 8th August.

Music classes have now finished until the autumn. Our final class of this term was held last Saturday in the GAC centre and took the form of a short performance by each of our classes and their tutors for families and friends.

Our thanks to the staff and governors at Anahorish Primary School for facilitating our classes, Sean O’Leary GAC for the use of their premises, all the tutors for their dedication, the parents for their encouragement and support, and the pupils for their hard work. The progress they’re making was very evident so we hope to see them all back in September.

We have one more monthly music session before the summer break – on Friday, 2nd May in the GAC centre. It would be good to see as many as possible from our classes attend the slow session at 7:30pm to finish off the year.

Our Big Trad Breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day was a great success with over 400 people attending throughout the morning. Thanks to all those who came along, especially those volunteered to help out with the food and music, and to the staff of The Thatch for their hard work.

Congratulations to Roisin, Patrick, Brian and Siobhan on winning the Antrim title reaching the Ulster Scor finals representing their club, Moneyglass, in the instrumental music competition.

We were happy to provide a group of musicians for a recent fundraising concert in aid of Lough Neagh Rescue in Ballyronan on 8th March. Almost £1000 was raised at the very entertaining event.

Our annual Big Trad Breakfast will be held in The Old Thatch Inn, Castledawson on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, Monday 17th March. We’ll be serving breakfasts from 9:00am until midday and will have sessions throughout the morning for both young and old so all musicians are welcome to bring their instruments along.

Our AGM takes place on Tuesday evening, 12th November, in Newbridge GAC hall at 8:45pm. We would encourage as many members as possible to attend as this is an important forum for discussing branch development, activities and plans for the coming year. New members are also welcome, especially parents of children attending our classes who would like to find out more or be involved in the running of the group. Membership fees for 2024/25 are also due as registration is being submitted to the county board following the meeting.

Our weekly music classes resume after the long summer break on Saturday, 14th September, in Anahorish Primary School.

We’ve added a couple of new instruments this term, namely concertina and accordion (button key) and will consider putting on classes in other instruments, subject to demand.

We would ask anyone who would like to sign up for a class, including returning pupils, to fill out the online registration form (link below) before next Wednesday. The form can also be used to express an interest in an instrument we don’t currently offer classes in. This will help us finalise a timetable which will be communicated to pupils a day or two before classes begin. Classes will be from 10:30-11:15 or 11:15-12:00 and fees will be collected on the morning of the first class.

All ages and abilities, including beginners, will be catered for in all of our classes.

The cost of the 12 week autumn term is £50 which includes a discounted membership fee of £5 per child. Additional family members will pay £40 (again including membership fee) while the cost of a second class (in a different instrument) will also be £40. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or debit/credit card. Other membership options are:

Family – £18
Senior – £11
2nd senior in household – £7
Junior (not attending classes) – £5.50

The registration form can be accessed by clicking here.

Huge congratulations to our branch member and tutor, Caoimhe O’Kane, on receiving her Comhaltas TTCT Teaching Diploma. The presentation was made by Comhaltas President Éamonn Ó hArgáin at the annual Comhaltas Congress in Sligo on Sunday, 7th May. Well done, also, to all the other recipients on a fantastic achievement.

Well done to all our members who took part in the Antrim Fleadh in Portglenone and the Derry Fleadh in Derry City last weekend.

Congratulations to all those who competed at both events, where we had a number of winners and qualifiers for the Ulster Fleadh in both solo and group competitions.

At the Antrim Fleadh on Saturday, Patrick Magee was awarded first place in the O-18 mandolin while his sister, Siobhan, came second in the 15-18 concertina and also qualified with third place in the newly composed tunes category.

In Derry, Annie Diamond won the 12-15 tin whistle slow airs and was third in the tin whistle dance tunes. Caitriona Lagan won both the newly composed tune and 15-18 miscellaneous instruments playing the mandola while Hugh Mulholland came second in the same newly composed tune competition. Maryrose Murphy did exceptionally well in achieving third place in a large and competitive U-12 tin whistle section with Sophia Bradley also taking part in the same competition at her first fleadh. Sophia was also part of the winning U-12 trio. Trease Nig Raine qualified for the Ulster Fleadh with a second place in the 12-15 harp slow airs while, at the group competitions in Portglenone on Sunday, Annie, Siobhan and Caitriona were in the winning 15-18 grupa ceoil and ceili band representing Ceoltoiri Crosskeys. In the O-18 competitions, we were represented by Patrick Magee, Hugh Mulholland Caoimhe O’Kane and Roise McCloy in the winning Ceoltoiri Crosskeys grupa ceoil while Hugh and Caoimhe also played in the Killimorrie ceili band who were winners of the senior ceili band competition.

Best of luck to all those going to compete in Dromore at the end of July and thanks to the Baile na gCailleach and Portglenone branches of Comhaltas for hosting very enjoyable and well organised fleadhanna.

Congratulations to Siobhan Magee and Annie Diamond on their successes at Ballymena Festival last weekend. Siobhan achieved first place in both the O-16 Miscellaneous Instrument and O-16 Slow Air Open competitions while Annie was placed first in the 12-15 Slow Air Open competition and second in the 12-15 Tin Whistle. Annie was also awarded the Councillor Sandy Spence Shield as most promising tin whistle player at the festival. Well done, girls!

Our AGM takes place tomorrow evening, 17th October, in Newbridge GAC hall at 8:30pm. We would encourage as many members as possible to attend as this is an important forum for discussing branch development, activities and plans for the coming year. New members are also welcome, especially parents of children attending our classes who would like to find out more or be involved in the running of the group. Membership fees for 2023/24 are also due as registration is being submitted to the county board following the meeting.