Cootehill looks forward to Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend of trad-music
Cootehill is looking forward to a major weekend of traditional music events at the end of September to honour the memory of a locally-based businessman who devoted much of his life to promoting Irish music and song, and who was a major figure in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for over half a century.
The second annual Gerry Whelan Remembered event takes place from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October, and will be officially launched by Ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas, Senator Labhras Ó Murchú at a special concert in the White Horse Hotel on Friday 29th.
Many top musicians and singers from around Ireland will join talented locals of every age group in a full-programme of events that will include a marching bands parade and numerous “seisiúns” in which several top-class acts will launch their new CDs.
Mr Gerry Whelan (1918-2001) was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann since the organisation was set up in 1951, and was President of the Ulster Council for a period of thirty years. With his beloved melodeon or bodhran in hand, Gerry liked nothing better than to settle down to a good seisiún.
The full programme of events for the weekend will run as follows:
THURSDAY 28 SEPT
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 10pm: The Tír na nÓg bar, Market starts the Cootehill festivities on Thursday 28th, with Cavan’s acclaimed traditional singer Aoife Murray leading the way in what has become a very popular weekly seisiún with Belturbet-based Fintan McManus on bouzouki and locals Mickey McDonnell (banjo), Gerry McBreen (fiddle, songs), Billy Murray (flute) and Joe McIntyre (songs, guitar).
FRIDAY 29 SEPT
Official Launch Concert, White Horse Hotel 9pm: The Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend will be officially launched by Senator Labhras Ó Murchú, Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann at a showcase traditional concert at 9pm in the White Horse Hotel, with the ever ebullient Martin Donohoe acting as MC. Among the top names taking to the stage will be singer Tadhg Maher, accordionist Vincent Tighe (an old friend of Gerry Whelan’s), piper Padraig Donlon, fiddlers Collete Beagon and Gary Lynch, fiddle and flute duo Felim and MacDara Raghallaigh, accordionist Pat McCabe banjo player Fergal Mullen.
Offaly’s 20 times all-Ireland winning singer Tadhg Maher’s new CD, Straight from the Heart will be launched at the concert. In recent years, Tadhg has made his name touring the world with the popular group Brú Ború, and he has frequently featured on RTE and TG4 traditional broadcasts as well as singing for President Mary McAleese on several occasions.
Another highlight of the night will be a special lifetime recognition award for accomplished box player John McEntee — appropriately honouring the Bunnoe man for his great contribution to traditional sessions and events in Co Cavan over many years.
Also in action will be Cavan’s own veteran lilter Seamus Fay, bodhran beater Richard Lyons and flute players Aisling McPhillips and Martin Gaffney. Cavan Town’s CCE Youth Group will complete the line-up for this star-studded concert, which will be followed by what promises to be a memorable informal seisiún with lots of local musicians joined by players from around the county. Expect to hear stalwarts like Peter Leddy, Philip Clarke, Gerry Donohoe, John Fox, Marion Crowe, Seamus Smith, Hugh P Donohoe, Fintan McManus, Andrew McCaul, Rodney Lancashire, Milo Fitzgerald, Gary Cosgrove, Noel Halton and members of Cootehill CCE all contributing to the occasion.
Lounge Seisiún, White Horse 10pm: This seisiún led by Padraig McGovern (pipes) and John McCartin (guitar) will ensure that the White Horse Hotel — a stone’s throw from where Gerry Whelan set up his first shoe factory in the old town hall back in the early ’50s — is awash with traditional sounds on the night.
SATURDAY 30 SEPT
Dolores Whelan Book Launch: Another full day’s programme starts at 3pm in a slightly different vein with the launch at Cootehill Library, Bridge Street of a new book by Gerry’s daughter, Dolores Whelan. “Ever Ancient Ever New” highlights the importance of recovering ancient celtic wisdom for use in today’s world. Dolores has dedicated the book to her father, in recognition of his work over the decades in recovering traditional music, and through it, aspects of the celtic soul.
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 5pm-7pm: The music gets going again with an evening seisiún at Tír na nÓg from 5pm-7pm when uilleann piper Padraig McGovern leads what should be a large cast of musicians as they get warmed up for a trad-packed night. In fact, with three sessions taking place in different venues on Saturday night, there will be no shortage of choice as Cootehill takes on a fleadh-like atmosphere.
White Horse Seisiún 9.30pm: Music in the White Horse with renowned Cork-based fiddler Seamus Creagh starts at 9.30pm. Joining in will be Mattie Jo Shéamais Ó Fatharta, sean-nós singer and Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster, Rob Murphy (flute), Gerry and Hilda Brady (fiddles), John McEntee (accordion) and friends, Philip Hickey (accordion), Henry McDonald (guitar) and friends from Dundalk and the Ring of Gullion. Philip Clarke will be MC for this blast of music.
Mullen’s Lounge Seisiún 10pm: Local talent will be showcased at a seisiún in Mullen’s lounge, Market Street from 10pm onward, with the Fay sisters, Siobhan (banjo) and Fionnuala (fiddle) belting out the tunes along with Ray Lawlor on accordion.
Smith’s Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 10.30pm: Another big event on Saturday night takes place in Don Smith’s lounge, where a seisiún to mark the launch of a great new flute-music CD cranks up at 10.30pm. Sheridan’s Guesthouse is the wonderful debut album from Dave Sheridan of Leitrim, whose early promise natural flair has truly come of age in the recording. With 16 of his friends appearing on the 15-track offering, including Seamie O’Dowd and Brian “The Godfather” Rooney, the end result highlights Dave’s masterful performance, mainly on concert flute but also on accordion and other instruments.
For the gig in Smith’s Sheridan will be joined by three other fantastic Leitrim musicians, namely Oliver Loughlin (piano accordion), Damien O’Brien (fiddle) and John McCartin (guitar and fiddle). MC for the night is Mickey McDonnell.
SUNDAY 1st OCT
The busy schedule of events for the weekend gets rounded up on Sunday October 1st, with morning and afternoon events including a marching bands parade.
“Session for All”, White Horse 1pm-3pm: The budding talents of children and younger musicians in particular will be at the centre of the “Session for All” from 1pm-3pm in the White Horse Hotel, featuring Cavan Town CCE with Eimer O’Reilly (fiddle), Aoife and Katie Flynn (accordion and banjo), and Comhaltas branch musicians from Cavan and Cootehill. This is one for the kids and the talent of tomorrow — well worth dropping in to.
Marching Bands, 2pm-4pm: The celebrations take to the street from 2pm-4pm on Sunday afternoon when some of the all-Ireland winning bands that received their “Gerald Whelan Memorial” trophies at the recent Fleadh in Letterkenny strut their stuff, sponsored by Cootehill Chamber and Cootehill Vintners Association.
Gerry himself was passionate about the music being passed on to future generations, and was instrumental in setting up St Michael’s Marching Band in Cootehill in 1967. The band won many major competitions, but his proudest moment came when they won the All-Ireland Marching Band competition in 1972. He went on to play a key role in restructuring and popularising marching bands competitions at all fleadhs, which his company sponsored from 1985 onwards.
Fittingly, Gerry’s legacy continues, not least through the new set of memorial trophies bearing his name. The organisers including his daughter Geraldine Whelan consider it a great honour to have some of the trophy-winning bands join the festivities in Cootehill.
Smith’s Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 4pm:Another big CD launch takes place in Don Smith’s at 4pm. This time it’s Inside Out, the new album by Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh on concertina, which also features Monaghan’s harp wizard Michael Rooney.
The launch will be carried out by banjo-king Kieran Hanrahan (of RTE’s “Ceili House”), and the big event will feature lilting from Seamus Fay, Fintan McManus on bouzouki and the Kavan, Savannah and Martin Donohoe family trio. Compering this final event will be Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Mattie Jo Ó Fatharta.
Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Wrangler Footwear/Drifters, the Whelan weekend is being promoted by the Nyah Group. More information is available from main organiser Martin Donohoe (086 234 2270), Seamus Smith, Comhaltas, and at www.cavanmusic.com
The second annual Gerry Whelan Remembered
Cootehill looks forward to Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend of trad-music
Cootehill is looking forward to a major weekend of traditional music events at the end of September to honour the memory of a locally-based businessman who devoted much of his life to promoting Irish music and song, and who was a major figure in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for over half a century.
The second annual Gerry Whelan Remembered event takes place from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October, and will be officially launched by Ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas, Senator Labhras Ó Murchú at a special concert in the White Horse Hotel on Friday 29th.
Many top musicians and singers from around Ireland will join talented locals of every age group in a full-programme of events that will include a marching bands parade and numerous “seisiúns” in which several top-class acts will launch their new CDs.
Mr Gerry Whelan (1918-2001) was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann since the organisation was set up in 1951, and was President of the Ulster Council for a period of thirty years. With his beloved melodeon or bodhran in hand, Gerry liked nothing better than to settle down to a good seisiún.
The full programme of events for the weekend will run as follows:
THURSDAY 28 SEPT
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 10pm: The Tír na nÓg bar, Market starts the Cootehill festivities on Thursday 28th, with Cavan’s acclaimed traditional singer Aoife Murray leading the way in what has become a very popular weekly seisiún with Belturbet-based Fintan McManus on bouzouki and locals Mickey McDonnell (banjo), Gerry McBreen (fiddle, songs), Billy Murray (flute) and Joe McIntyre (songs, guitar).
FRIDAY 29 SEPT
Official Launch Concert, White Horse Hotel 9pm: The Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend will be officially launched by Senator Labhras Ó Murchú, Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann at a showcase traditional concert at 9pm in the White Horse Hotel, with the ever ebullient Martin Donohoe acting as MC. Among the top names taking to the stage will be singer Tadhg Maher, accordionist Vincent Tighe (an old friend of Gerry Whelan’s), piper Padraig Donlon, fiddlers Collete Beagon and Gary Lynch, fiddle and flute duo Felim and MacDara Raghallaigh, accordionist Pat McCabe banjo player Fergal Mullen.
Offaly’s 20 times all-Ireland winning singer Tadhg Maher’s new CD, Straight from the Heart will be launched at the concert. In recent years, Tadhg has made his name touring the world with the popular group Brú Ború, and he has frequently featured on RTE and TG4 traditional broadcasts as well as singing for President Mary McAleese on several occasions.
Another highlight of the night will be a special lifetime recognition award for accomplished box player John McEntee — appropriately honouring the Bunnoe man for his great contribution to traditional sessions and events in Co Cavan over many years.
Also in action will be Cavan’s own veteran lilter Seamus Fay, bodhran beater Richard Lyons and flute players Aisling McPhillips and Martin Gaffney. Cavan Town’s CCE Youth Group will complete the line-up for this star-studded concert, which will be followed by what promises to be a memorable informal seisiún with lots of local musicians joined by players from around the county. Expect to hear stalwarts like Peter Leddy, Philip Clarke, Gerry Donohoe, John Fox, Marion Crowe, Seamus Smith, Hugh P Donohoe, Fintan McManus, Andrew McCaul, Rodney Lancashire, Milo Fitzgerald, Gary Cosgrove, Noel Halton and members of Cootehill CCE all contributing to the occasion.
Lounge Seisiún, White Horse 10pm: This seisiún led by Padraig McGovern (pipes) and John McCartin (guitar) will ensure that the White Horse Hotel — a stone’s throw from where Gerry Whelan set up his first shoe factory in the old town hall back in the early ’50s — is awash with traditional sounds on the night.
SATURDAY 30 SEPT
Dolores Whelan Book Launch: Another full day’s programme starts at 3pm in a slightly different vein with the launch at Cootehill Library, Bridge Street of a new book by Gerry’s daughter, Dolores Whelan. “Ever Ancient Ever New” highlights the importance of recovering ancient celtic wisdom for use in today’s world. Dolores has dedicated the book to her father, in recognition of his work over the decades in recovering traditional music, and through it, aspects of the celtic soul.
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 5pm-7pm: The music gets going again with an evening seisiún at Tír na nÓg from 5pm-7pm when uilleann piper Padraig McGovern leads what should be a large cast of musicians as they get warmed up for a trad-packed night. In fact, with three sessions taking place in different venues on Saturday night, there will be no shortage of choice as Cootehill takes on a fleadh-like atmosphere.
White Horse Seisiún 9.30pm: Music in the White Horse with renowned Cork-based fiddler Seamus Creagh starts at 9.30pm. Joining in will be Mattie Jo Shéamais Ó Fatharta, sean-nós singer and Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster, Rob Murphy (flute), Gerry and Hilda Brady (fiddles), John McEntee (accordion) and friends, Philip Hickey (accordion), Henry McDonald (guitar) and friends from Dundalk and the Ring of Gullion. Philip Clarke will be MC for this blast of music.
Mullen’s Lounge Seisiún 10pm: Local talent will be showcased at a seisiún in Mullen’s lounge, Market Street from 10pm onward, with the Fay sisters, Siobhan (banjo) and Fionnuala (fiddle) belting out the tunes along with Ray Lawlor on accordion.
Smith’s Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 10.30pm: Another big event on Saturday night takes place in Don Smith’s lounge, where a seisiún to mark the launch of a great new flute-music CD cranks up at 10.30pm. Sheridan’s Guesthouse is the wonderful debut album from Dave Sheridan of Leitrim, whose early promise natural flair has truly come of age in the recording. With 16 of his friends appearing on the 15-track offering, including Seamie O’Dowd and Brian “The Godfather” Rooney, the end result highlights Dave’s masterful performance, mainly on concert flute but also on accordion and other instruments.
For the gig in Smith’s Sheridan will be joined by three other fantastic Leitrim musicians, namely Oliver Loughlin (piano accordion), Damien O’Brien (fiddle) and John McCartin (guitar and fiddle). MC for the night is Mickey McDonnell.
SUNDAY 1st OCT
The busy schedule of events for the weekend gets rounded up on Sunday October 1st, with morning and afternoon events including a marching bands parade.
“Session for All”, White Horse 1pm-3pm: The budding talents of children and younger musicians in particular will be at the centre of the “Session for All” from 1pm-3pm in the White Horse Hotel, featuring Cavan Town CCE with Eimer O’Reilly (fiddle), Aoife and Katie Flynn (accordion and banjo), and Comhaltas branch musicians from Cavan and Cootehill. This is one for the kids and the talent of tomorrow — well worth dropping in to.
Marching Bands, 2pm-4pm: The celebrations take to the street from 2pm-4pm on Sunday afternoon when some of the all-Ireland winning bands that received their “Gerald Whelan Memorial” trophies at the recent Fleadh in Letterkenny strut their stuff, sponsored by Cootehill Chamber and Cootehill Vintners Association.
Gerry himself was passionate about the music being passed on to future generations, and was instrumental in setting up St Michael’s Marching Band in Cootehill in 1967. The band won many major competitions, but his proudest moment came when they won the All-Ireland Marching Band competition in 1972. He went on to play a key role in restructuring and popularising marching bands competitions at all fleadhs, which his company sponsored from 1985 onwards.
Fittingly, Gerry’s legacy continues, not least through the new set of memorial trophies bearing his name. The organisers including his daughter Geraldine Whelan consider it a great honour to have some of the trophy-winning bands join the festivities in Cootehill.
Smith’s Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 4pm:Another big CD launch takes place in Don Smith’s at 4pm. This time it’s Inside Out, the new album by Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh on concertina, which also features Monaghan’s harp wizard Michael Rooney.
The launch will be carried out by banjo-king Kieran Hanrahan (of RTE’s “Ceili House”), and the big event will feature lilting from Seamus Fay, Fintan McManus on bouzouki and the Kavan, Savannah and Martin Donohoe family trio. Compering this final event will be Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Mattie Jo Ó Fatharta.
Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Wrangler Footwear/Drifters, the Whelan weekend is being promoted by the Nyah Group. More information is available from main organiser Martin Donohoe (086 234 2270), Seamus Smith, Comhaltas, and at www.cavanmusic.com
# Posted on September 15th 2006 by Martin Donohoe