Doireann Glackin (fiddle player) and Sarah Flynn (concertina player) at the launch of the CD

Ella Mae O’Dwyer (nee Quille)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora Hurley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Launch of new CD “The Housekeepers”

featuring Ella Mae O’Dwyer (nee Quille) and Nora Hurley

On Saturday, May 11th, Doireann Glackin (fiddle player) and Sarah Flynn (concertina player) following extensive research and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland launched a new CD in St. Lawrence’s Church DIT, Dublin, called “The Housekeepers”. The collection of traditional tunes illuminates the legacy of 5 female “unsung heroes” of our tradition. It is of particular interest to us in Athea as two of the five women featured were born here. The first, Ella Mae O’Dwyer (nee Quille) was born in Gortnagross and was a sister of the late Denis Quille and Mary Agnes Barrett.Ella Mae lived most of her life in Ardgroom, Co. Cork and was a very well respected musician. Her concertina playing was recorded several times including with Tony McMahon for “Bring Down The Lamp”. She was a first cousin of Nora Hurley who is also featured on “The Housekeepers” and another one of our own! Nora was a self taught concertina player and had a life long love of traditional music. She began composing in her 90’s and two of her tunes, a jig and a reel so impressed Doireann and Sarah they have recorded them for posterity!

We hope to have copies of the CD available during the Fleadh Cheoil here in Athea on the June bank holiday weekend.

Afternoon Tea Dance

There will be an Afternoon Team at the Top of the Town, Athea on Wednesday, June 5th at 3pm. Music by Ger Connaghan and a raffle. Adm. €5.  For more information contact Peggy Casey 087-9416223, Mary T. Mulvihill 087-2708603, Máireád Langan 086-6407026.

Athea Comhaltas Branch

The committee would like to thank sincerely all who contributed so generously to their Church gate collection on Saturday & Sunday last. The amount raised was €669.70.

The next meeting is on Monday, May 27th at 9pm in the Top of the Town. Please come along if you have a few hours to spare and give a helping hand over the Fleadh weekend.

Launch of Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh

Fleadh Cheooil Luimnigh, which is being held in Athea over the June Bank Holiday weekend, was launched at the Top of the Town on Wednesday night last. It followed a meeting of the Limerick County Board of Comhaltas also held at the Top of the Town. A good attendance enjoyed a session of music from local musicians who have been involved in fund-raising sessions all the year. There was an abundance of food on display and needless to say we were all tempted to sample some. Photographers were there from local papers and we look forward to good exposure this week.

On Monday night there was a meeting at the Top of the Town when people came along to offer assistance during the weekend of the Fleadh. It was pleasing to see the large number that came to give their support. This is not just a Comhaltas venture, it involves the community in general and is a great opportunity to promote local business and highlight our beautiful village. Large crowds are expected, especially if we get fine weather – start praying!!

Knockdown Vintage Club Presentation

Members of the Knockdown Vintage Club recently visited the Children’s Ark Unit in U.H.L to present a Cheque for €6,975.00 to The Paediatric Oncology Patient and Family Support Fund. This being the proceeds received from their recent Vintage and Modern Tractor run.

The Vintage Club members received a very warm and hospitable welcome from all the Staff of the unit and were privileged to have been given a tour of the wonderful facilities by Claudine Herbert. Claudine gave a fantastic overview of how the Unit functions and explained the importance of Fundraising and how every cent collected goes to Patients and Families directly to ease the financial burden at a very difficult time in peoples’ lives. She also explained that those managing the fund also work on a voluntary basis therefore insuring that all money collected goes in its entirety to the fund.

The Knockdown Vintage Club would very much like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to our successful Run.  Without the generosity of such wonderful people, we would not be in a position to sustain our venture, which has to date raised in excess of €40,000 for various local causes.