Amairgin the Gael (CCE Newport) visits Youghal.
Press release by Dave Murphy
Ever since Ceolta Si and CCE Youghal were our guests in March last year, members of Amairgin the Gael in Newport have been planning a return visit. In October this year it all came together and we were able to enjoy a long weekend in the company of our friends in Youghal, Co. Cork. Four days of music, song and dance but above all fantastic hospitality from Chairman Micheal de Buitleir and the hard working committee members and tutors of the Youghal Branch.
Saturday was a busy day of music and dance workshops. In the morning our youngsters (and not so young!) made their way to Bru na Si and joined Youghal's junior band Draíocht an Oileáin for a workshop with their lead tutor Daithi Kearney. Halloween was approaching so it was appropriate that one of the tunes being learnt was The Haunted House. Daithi is an accomplished tutor and ably leads a large group playing different instruments with a range of abilities. We came away with many ideas about how to organise the teaching at our own branch and are continuing with the tunes we learnt as we implement some important changes.
In the afternoon it was the turn of the set dancers to take to the floor of the Bru na Si hall, lead by tutor John Creed. Many of our set dancing virgins had their first go this afternoon and the occasion was a great success. Meanwhile Daithi continued to teach additional tunes for the more experienced players from Youghal and Newport.
There were of course many music sessions throughout the weekend; the first night at Bru na Si, Saturday at the Red Store after our meal there, and the farewell session at the Devonshire Arms. On Sunday however we took to the Mall Arts Centre and were joined by other groups from England and Ireland. At this more formal occasion gifts were exchanged between the Youghal and Newport branches; a beautiful Thomond crystal glass bowl was presented to Amairgin the Gael and this will soon be on display at the Newport Irish club. The Welsh branch gave a framed picture of the Newport transporter bridge, one of few remaining such structures in the world and a major landmark in the South Wales area.
Everyone had a great time and played their part in making the weekend a big success, but special mention must be made of the junior members of the trip. The seven older musicians are all fine performers in their own right and play in a number of groups in the South Wales area. In Youghal and while travelling they were usually the first to start the music off and did Amairgin the Gael proud with their performances of some fine Irish Traditional Tunes and a few Welsh ones for good measure. The five younger members, aged between 7 and 12, were keen to join in all the activities and soon formed their own group. By the time of the journey home they were full of confidence, entertaining crew and passengers alike on the ferry and being rewarded with boxes of chocolate bars form the shop manager for their efforts.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to County Cork and look forward to repaying the hospitality when Craobh Youghal visit us again next year. The weekend has given Amairgin the Gael new energy and purpose, and we are already reaping the musical benefits of the journey with many new tunes learned. Even the young members of our branch who were unable to attend the trip have benefited from the new tunes so ably taught to us - The greatest compliment to our hosts is the fact that the most frequently asked question from our young musicians at the moment is 'Will we do the Youghal Sets?'