ࡱ> NPM5@ 0Bbjbj22 .FXX 2222222F  ,FG Z\\\\\\$RO l2 22 2 2 ZZ22 , Z0G  FF2222 2x nLdll FFD  FF CCE Ard Chomhairle Meeting December 11, 2004 Chairperson Helen Gannon and Delegate Anne McConnell/Strong represented North America at the December 11th Ard Chomhairle meeting at CCE Head Office in Dublin. They were joined by Honorary President Bill McEvoy, and by Past Chairperson, Frank Kennedy and Past Secretary, Jack Pendergast, with their wives Regina and Vicki for the social part of the activities. Helen Gannon and Anne McConnell/Strong also attended a Standing Committee meeting to discuss issues related to North America, including the Concert Tour. While acknowledging that there were serious difficulties associated with the 2004 Concert Tour concerned with airline flights and overweight baggage, the overall Tour surpassed its expectations in achieving its primary goal. It brought Irish Traditional culture to a large number of people in two countries and further strengthened the bonds of friendship and understanding between the peoples of Ireland and North America. Concert Tour plans for 2005 will only involve the Tour travelling to the Southern Region of the United States. It will be a two week tour during the period October 3 16 and will be travelling by bus only. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed by all, that Head Office in Ireland will continue to provide North America with the following items: Fleadheanna Cheoil Metals, Membership cards and Comhaltas pins. It was felt that in order to ensure a common standard of quality and design, which all our members and young competitors can be proud of, that one central source for these items is necessary. They are available from Ireland at short notice and in whatever quantities your Region requires. The following are the minutes of the Ard Chomhairle meeting: BUANCHOISTE October 12, 2004 RT The six television programmes from Fleadh 2004 will commence on RT 1 at 7.30pm on January 7. It will be noted that  Come West Along the Road has been featuring several Comhaltas events from former years. This is indicative of how much archive material was sourced from Comhaltas activities down through the years. A meeting was held with Cathal Goan, Director General of RT, on December 10 to review events. The Comhaltas delegation consisted of the Ardstirthir, Pdraig Dufaigh, Pdraig Donlon and John Deaton. TOURS North America The North American Concert Tour for 2004 was well received. The show was produced by Siobhn Ni Chonorin. A very well researched and presented CD was also prepared. The Cultural Relations Committee and Waterford Crystal again provided sponsorship. The cost of travel has increased considerably in recent years. The North American Officers are looking at ways to minimise costs and ensure the continuation of this long running cultural programme. We are indebted to all those who made the tour possible. Ireland The Irish Tour Macalla na hireann which was sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge and Bus ireann, was very successful. The venues, artistes, producer and sponsors are to be complimented. Bh bim faoi Leith ar an nGaeilge. The Irish language was central to the tour. It is hoped to plan Macalla na hireann 2005 at an early date. Suggestions for artistes and venues would be welcome. Britain We are pleased to report that after a years break the Tour of Britain will be back again in 2005. The Farewell Concert will be on Sunday 30th January 2005 at Cultrlann na hireann. The venues are: Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Birmingham, Bedford and London. The artists are: Nora Butler (Singer), Antoin MacGabhann (Fiddle), Rory McMahon (Concertina), Niamh Denmead (Harp), San Norman (Button Accordion), James Mahon (Flute), Padraig Sinnott (Pipes), Vince Jordan (Piano Accordion), Tara Breen (Fiddle), Edward Whelan (Banjo), Cathal McGarrigle (Dancer), Aine O Dwyer (Dancer). LN_MARA The second Ln-Mara was held at the Cultrlann on October 3. There were up to 100 in attendance. The issues covered were (a) qualifications for music teachers; (b) TTCT on the internet: (C) the 5 year Development Programme, and (d) the SCT. The Secretary of HETAC Taghg halaithe and the director of Accreditation Ronach N Scolla addressed the Conference and answered questions. TIONL Tionl Leo Rowsome 2004 was held at the Cultrlann in September. Gradam an Chomhaltais 2004 was presented to Larry Reynolds of Boston  formerly of Ahascragh, Co.Galway. It was a great occasion. It is recommended that Gradam an Chomhaltais 2005 would be presented to Padraigh Dufaigh at Tionl 2005 which would coincide with the Semptember meeting of the Ardchomhairle. FLEADHANNA Details of County and Provincial Fleadhanna for 2005 are requested at the earliest date possible to enable us to include them in our publicity outlets. It is hoped also that units would consider how each Fleadh could be extended and enhanced as happened with a number of Fleadhanna in 2004. TITHE CHEOIL It was agreed by the Ardchomhairle that Chomhaltas would accept the offer of the Church of Ireland building in Kilrush. A local representative committee will be established to oversee and develop the project. We are also examining the possibility of a building in Dundalk which has been brought to our notice. This is in the context of the Development Programme. BR NA S Teach Cheoil in Youghal is now almost complete. We compliment Michel de Buitlir and his committee on this achievement. DCHAS The Dchas Cultural Centre in Tralee will be sold and a new cultural centre provided. This was agreed by Bord Chiarra and sanctioned by the Trustees General on the instruction of the Ardchomhairle. The money will be deposited in a secure account and used solely for the purpose of providing a new cultural centre in the County to be agreed with the Ardchomhairle. DEVELOPMENT All Units are required to examine the 5 Programme PROGRAMME and identify areas which can be considered for development i.e. new members and branches; applicants for the TTCT; expansion of the SCT; improved Fleadhanna and other events; access to local public funding; etc. COMHALTAS LIVE There is a slight improvement in the take-up for this weekly internet programme. Units are requested to select one person, who has an interest in this area, to promote COMHALTAS LIVE. This project provides our movement with a global means of communication. NASC This is a risk-free source of funds for branches. The last one generated 20,000 for units. We would recommend it to branches and provide much needed funds for insurance, rent, advertising, etc. TRADITIONAL ARTS Consultants DEFORE CONSULTING have examined the Report of the Traditional Arts Committee and the tampered version of   %(./2(* $'bf%&(~zvvh^&h>h]h]5 he5 h]5hcfh&8>h] h26h2h26h2 h55 h25 hcf5 hon5honh&QhonH* h&QhonhonCJaJh55>*CJaJhu5>*CJaJh&Qhon5>*CJaJ-/12  880^8`0gd] 80^`0gd2 88^8`gd]$a$gd2 $  a$gdon$a$gdon0B#$de&'=>xy 880^8`0gd] 80^`0gd] 88^8`gd] 80^`0gd] 880^8`0gd&8>(2BPj@`LNPepwx4T<>BR:~\fjtZ, 6 7 ^!_!`!m!"" #5#`#b#g#m####þùþާէйէhv6 h@h h@h@ hv65 h@5h@h h5 h>5h> h (5h (h'&hNohNoH*hNoh&8>h^& h^&5Ay>@B8:Z\+ , _!`!>"?"""_#`#$ 88^8`gd ( 8gd ( 880^8`0gd]#^$$$$$$$$$%%=%Y%]%^%%%%&T&&&''' ' 'h(((()*<<<<]=l======>>??^@!AAAAAAA/B0Bʾ޺ʺޭޭ h,h, h,5h,ht. hn5hn he5U hd/5hd/ hf56 hf5hfh4{s hCs5hCs h >5hv6h>h'&h >9$$$$%%%''((<<==>>s?t?^@_@AAAAA 8`^``gdCs 88^8`gd ( this report. The Consultants Report is a damning indictment of this shameful episode and refers to the illegitimacy and consequences of the flawed process and its impact on future committees. FLEADH 2005 The Letterkenny Committee, with the help of Ardchomhairle representatives, are gradually putting the infrastructure in place for Fleadh 2005. Seachtain na higse will continue to be an important element of the extended event. FINANCE We are pleased to report that we have made a significant breakthrough on Government recognition for Comhaltas and the 5-Year Development Programme. We are indebted to all those who played a role in recent times to create the environment for the present progress. We appreciate the support of An Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs all of whom were proactive in their support. We will now receive funding in 2005 to activate the Development Programme. This funding will come through Minister Eamon Cuivs Department and not through the Arts Council. This has been one of our strategic aims in recent years. Needles to say, we now have an opportunity to position ourselves for future years if we maximise the potential in 2005. To this end there is a role for all units. The Ardchomhairle, Meitheal, Subcommittees and Ceannair will all be central to the implementation of the Development Programme. TREOIR It is hoped to return TREOIR to a quarterly publication in 2005. There are a number of matters to be resolved but we expect to be able to accommodate these. 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