This article is from page 29 of the 2007-10-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
THIRTY FIVE years of music and dance were celebrated Friday night When musicians and singers from across Clare gathered in Fahy Hall.
A cornerstone of traditional Irish music and culture, Fahy Hall has been home to the Doora Barefield of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann since PA
Before eventually settling on Fahy Hall, the first meeting of the branch was held in the old parochial house of the Greengrove in Roslevan. After that the branch led a sort of nomadic existence, meeting up in different houses in the local area.
The branch then moved up to Bob-
by Kennedy’s house on the Tulla Road and from there to Scanlon’s near Gaurus Mills.
In the late 70s the decision was taken that the branch should look for a permanent home. Colm Fahy, a member of the Branch, very kindly donated the site for the hall, and it has been home to the Doora Bare- field branch ever since, becoming a focal point in the community in the ROSE
Members of the branch together with friends and neighbours built the hall on a voluntary basis.
Frank Custy, who was then County Chairman gave the branch great en- couragement and funds were raised through ceils in Toonagh hall, a sil-
ver circle, raffles, sales of work etc.
The County Council also gave a grant towards the hall. Music and set dancing classes and sesiuins were the main activities in the hall in the early years with the Youth Club and step dancing classes coming on stream later on.
The hall has also been ussed for Saturday evening mass for some years now.
The first officers of the branch were chairman Lot O’Halloran, sec- retary Mary McNamara, treasurer Phil Nugent. Of the original mem- bers involved when the branch was established, three are still involved today, Mary O’Halloran and Joe and Mary Keary. The present officers of
the branch are chairman John Ly- ons, secretary Clare Deloughrey and treasurer Marjorie Molloy.
Friday night saw many former members and friends reunite and re- mains about the craic had at all the ceilis and sesiuns down the years.
The bill contained some of the best known singers and musicians in Clare. Those taking part includ- ed Tara Breen, Christy McNamara, Paddy Canny with his grandchildren and Denis Liddy’s ul5 ceili who came second at the All-Ireland in Tullamore.
Singers included Joe Keary and Michael O’Brien. The occasion was presided over by MC for the night Joe Queally.