A Great summer for St James

AN ATTENTIVE audience of family, friends and invited guests—including Theresa C Gallagher, chair of Comhaltas in Britain and Rosemarie Cassidy, chair of the Scottish Region of Comhaltas—enjoyed the St James the Great Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Branch’s annual summer concert in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow recently.

Those present were treated to an afternoon of wonderful musical performances from more than 80 accomplished Branch members who took to the stage. From beginners, through under 12s, under 15s, under 18s to seniors, and from individual performers, duos and trios to bands.

In addition, the appreciative audience was entertained to a display of Sean Nós dancing by a talented trio of father, son and broom and to two exquisitely performed songs—one in English one in Gaeilge—by three of the branch’s younger members.

The afternoon concluded with a medley of traditional Irish music played by all the branch musicians, some on the stage and some seated on its edge with legs dangling over! A truly wonderful afternoon of music, dance and song.

In addition to showing parents and friends what the musicians had learned over the preceding year—with the benefit of support from the branch volunteer tutors —the summer concert provided the musicians with an opportunity to hone their skills in preparation for competing at the Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine 2026 in Brentwood, Essex the following weekend.

The branch achieved great success at the All-Britain Fleadh. As well as individual musicians qualifying to go forward to compete in various instrument categories at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, the St James the Great Branch under 12, under 15, under 18 and senior bands, who had performed at the summer concert, all qualified to compete in the All-Ireland Fleadh. This year’s fleadh will take place in Belfast from August 2-9.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, is the largest global organisation dedicated to the preservation, development and promotion of Irish traditional music, song, dance and the Irish language, was formed in Mullingar, Ireland in 1951 and now has more than 450 branches in 22 countries, with 24 of those branches based in Britain.

The St James the Great Branch, was formed in 1989 in the Pollok area of Glasgow and is still based there. It is one of six branches in Scotland.