Celebrate 75th anniversary of Comhaltas in Mullingar

Seventy-five years ago, a small group of ordinary people came together with an extraordinary idea. They believed that the music, songs, stories and dances that had been passed from generation to generation were too precious to lose. At a time when much of Ireland was changing, they chose to protect something timeless.

Looking back now, it's hard not to feel a sense of wonder. What began in 1951 as a vision shared by a handful of passionate people has grown into a movement that has nurtured Irish traditional music and culture for three quarters of a century. Today these tunes, songs and traditions, once carried from hearth to hearth and from neighbour to neighbour, continue to flourish in our homes, schools, halls and communities across Ireland and around the world.

That is the remarkable story of Comhaltas. It has not simply preserved our heritage but it has kept it alive, allowing each new generation to discover the joy of playing a tune, singing a song, dancing a step or sharing a story. In doing so, it has strengthened something at the heart of who we are, reminding us that our music and culture are not relics of the past but a living expression of our Irishness.

Westmeath Comhaltas celebrate the 75th anniversary of the organisation and enjoy a wonderful few days of music, song and dance as they mark the special milestone. We'll relive some of the magic of the Fleadhanna of 2022 and 2023 with lectures, concerts, céilithe, sessions, a re-enactment of the beginnings of Comhaltas and of course, the legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band. Be part of what promises to be a truly memorable weekend remembering that this is really about something much bigger.

It's about saying thank you to the people who started it all in 1951. Families like the Reynolds, Seerys, Moynihans and Mullallys had the vision to believe that the old songs, tunes and stories passed down by ear were worth saving. They stood together and made sure that our traditional music and culture would never simply fade away.

Last week, many Irish and international visitors walked through the front entrance of Queen's University Belfast to celebrate Irish music and culture. It was impossible not to be struck by the display honouring some of our greatest traditional artists from across the country. Names spanning generations, such as the late Moya Brennan, Turlough O’Carolan, Martin Hayes, to name but a few, spoke of the richness and depth of our tradition. Yet behind every one of those names stands the vision of the founders of Comhaltas. Without their courage, determination and foresight, our cultural landscape would be very different today.

Enjoy the weekend. Come to the concerts, the sessions, the céilithe and the Kilfenora Céilí Band. And take a moment to remember those remarkable people of 1951. Their vision lives on in every tune that's played, every child who picks up an instrument, every dancer who takes the floor, every singer who finds their voice, and every community that gathers to celebrate our shared heritage.

Some people change history with grand gestures. The founders of Comhaltas changed it simply by believing that what had been handed down to them was worth handing on.

Bígí linn 28-30 August! The feature event is a concert by the Kilfenora Céilí Band at St Paul’s Church on Saturday August 29, and there are highlights from the Friday evening, August 28, through to a céilí by local performers Rise the Dust at Áras and Mhuilinn to close the weekend on the Sunday evening, August 30.