A Welcome Return for Echoes of Erin in Wales

March 4, 2006

By David Murphy, PRO Amairgin the Gael

     Before the event I wondered if the Echoes of Erin Tour party would be able to live up to last years event and whether Wales would be able to provide the same turn out and warm welcome to our visitors.

      The good news is the answer was yes on both counts. It was great to see both new and some familiar faces back again including Siobhán Ní Chonaráin from Limerick who entertained us both as compere and as a talented flute player. 

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      It was a full house at the Ebbw Bridge Club in Newport as Donald Stewart the Musical Director of ‘Amairgin the Gael’ the Welsh Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann introduced the proceedings. County Councillor Ron Stewart led the singing of the Welsh National Anthem followed by Nora Butler singing the Irish National Anthem. With the formalities over Comhaltas’s finest launched into part one of the show with some fine tunes to get pulses racing. Then it was our turn to run through a few tunes. I commented to Daire McGeown an accomplished Banjo Player from Armagh that I’d have preferred to go on first not least as I am a learner on the Banjo. In fact their performance helped to inspire us as Donald Stewart our Musical Director led the Branch singers, the Children (and the late developers) through a few of the Branches tunes. Marianne McAleer a regular at our Branch and All-Britain Singing and Lilting Champion delivered her usual high quality performance. Edmond Duffy who always surprises us with his wide repertoire of traditional songs then delivered a rousing rendition of Dear Little Isle. The children of Welsh Comhaltas delivered a selection of tunes including The March of the Kings of Laois and Toss the Feathers to round off the first half of the show. Their performance was a credit to Donald and the other teachers who work tirelessly week-in and week-out to continuously raise the standard of musicianship in the branch.

      During the break the hall continued to fill and additional chairs had to be brought into the back of the hall. The audience warmed up nicely as the second half of the show started, which seemed to spur the performers on. In addition to the fine musical talent on display, Irish Dancers Caira Gill, Patricia Ward, Carly Adams & Kathy Flannery from London were also a hit with their well choreographed routines; hardly surprising as they have been performing together for the past 10 years.

      Graham Johnstone Chairman of Amairgin the Gael who is ever present in the background ensuring everything runs smoothly formally closed the show and issued thanks to the performers for an excellent evenings entertainment. There were several encores as the appreciative crowd were reluctant for the show to end. I can’t wait for next years show!