The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
FIVE decades of bringing music to the communities of Doora-Barefield will be celebrated this Friday with a very special event.
The 50th anniversary of the local branch of Comhaltas will be commemorated with a concert featuring some of the branch’s well known members.
Also, a book recalling the history of the Doora – Barefield branch will be launched at Fahy Hall, Roslevan to mark the momentous anniversary.
National President of Comhaltas Eamon O hAirgain will be in attendance on the night.
Mary O’Halloran, who was one of the founding members of the branch and is still involved to this day, told The Champion they are expecting the anniversary celebrations to be a good night with plenty of music to enjoy.
She added that the committee members have been working hard to prepare for the event and are looking forward to sharing some memories of the branch through the years, while also looking ahead to its future.
As well as current members of the branch, the organisers are hoping that former members will come along and help celebrate their golden anniversary.
Mary recalls that the branch first began in October 1972 when Frank Custy, then county chair of Comhaltas, encouraged people across the county to set up branches of the organisation.
The Doora-Barefield branch started in the house of the parish priest before moving onto other locations including Bobby Kennedy’s and Scanlon’s before it was decided it would find a place of its own.
After an impressive fundraising effort the Doora-Barefield Comhaltas branch became the first to own its own hall, Fahy Hall, built in 1980 on a site provided by Colm Fahy in Roslevan; all the work was voluntary.
“We’ve had great times in Fahy Hall. The parish began using it for different things, a few of the classes from Knockanean moved over there at one time when they were extending the school for the first time.
“They started to say Mass there every week and then we decided to give Fahy Hall over to the parish. That was just over 10 years ago now and it was renovated. Both the hall and the grounds are kept beautifully.”
The renovations included the development of the Church of Our Lady and Fahy Hall.
While the hall was given to the diocese, the Comhaltas branch continue their long association with the redeveloped amenity holding meetings, concerts and fundraisers there over the years.
And of course, what other location could there possibly be for the much anticipated 50th anniversary than the hall which holds so many fond memories for the branch members.
The celebrations will begin with a reception at 7pm where a book documenting the history of the branch compiled by Seamus O’Sullivan will be launched with the concert set to begin at 8pm.
“The book includes photographs and details of lots of things the branch were involved with over the years. Seamus has done some great research compiling all the memories.
“It’s a lovely publication with lots to enjoy for those who had been members of the branch, but also people who just want to learn a little bit about us.”
A particular highlight for Mary in the branch’s history was their annual float in the Fleadh Nua parade, “we were renowned for our colourful floats every year, it was fantastic to see them.”
The branch has seen many successes over the years, with members bringing home wins at county, Munster and All Ireland level.
Mary modestly said, “We’re on the periphery of town, there was always a branch in Ennis, there is one in Cloughleigh, Clarecastle, and Crusheen isn’t that far away. I think we’ve done a reasonable job keeping it going for 50 years.”
Though the branch are marking their momentous past, they are also looking ahead with Mary urging anybody considering getting involved to get in touch.
“Like with everything, you need new blood coming in.”
