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Welcome - Failte Romhat!

When the translation is provided submissions to the blog will be published in both English and Irish. Please send submissions to the webmaster address shown at the very top of the blog. Please visit us often. This blog is the companion of the Ottawa Comhaltas website: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/

Beidh poist a fhoilsiú i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge nuair is féidir. Tabhair cuairt orainn go minic. Is é seo an blag an compánach an láithreán gréasáin Comhaltas Ottawa: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/

Monday 26 August 2013

2009 CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame - Maureen Maher



This post is linked to the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame post; slowly we will feature all the people that have inducted to the CCÉ Music Hall of Fame.

Maureen Maher

Maureen's love for her Irish heritage has taken her on quite a journey. She has dedicated her whole life to preserving and promoting her Irish heritage and culture. Maureen was born and raised in the Irish community of Shannon, Quebec.

Her father Martin Conway, of Lahinch, Co Clare Ireland and her mother, Julia Donaldson, instilled a deep respect for her Irish heritage. With her husband Ray, Maureen strived to pass on her immense pride and love for all things Irish to her children and grandchildren.

Always civic-minded and community-oriented, Maureen has a long list of accomplishments and firsts to her credit, including: a founder of the Shannon Irish Show (now in its' 43rd year); first elected female councillor and the mayor of Shannon (for 10 years); guest speaker at Leinster House (Ireland) on Irish and Canadian differences and similarities. These are just a few highlights of her many accomplishments!

Maureen's involvement with Comhaltas began when she attended the 1989 Provincial Convention in Ottawa. She became a member at that time. She moved to Ottawa in 1991. Her significant leadership experience was welcomed by the Ottawa Branch.

She has held the positions of Ottawa Branch chair and vice-chair (twice). She also chaired the CCÉ North American Provincial convention held in Ottawa in 2005. Maureen has worked in numerous Echoes of Erin tour committees, including the 2009 tour. For the past six years, Maureen has been a voting delegate for the Regional Board and has held the position of Comhaltas Canada East Regional Vice-Chair for the past five years.

It is with pride that we induct Maureen Maher into the Comhaltas Music Hall of Fame.


Text taken from the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame program for Saturday October 31, 2009. Toronto, Ontario.

Monday 12 August 2013

2009 CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame - Stan O'Donohue


This post is linked to the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame post, slowly we will feature all the people that have inducted to the CCÉ Music Hall of Fame.

Stan O'Donohue


Stan grew up in Fanore, County Clare, Ireland. This is just a few miles from Doolin and Lisdoonvarna. His love for traditional music comes naturally. Stan achieved a lifetime goal when he drummed with the  Lisdoonvarna Ceili Band. He was also able to accompany many of the great icons of traditional Irish music  such as Bobby Gardiner, Miko Russell, plus many others, too numerous to mention.

Stan left Ireland in the 1950's and moved to England where he became a professional boxer. He then moved to Canada. Shortly after his arrival in Canada he became involved with Comhaltas in Toronto. 

Stan's involvement with Comhaltas spans over 25 years. From the early days of the Irish Centre Branch, which is now known as the Langan Gorman Branch, he has been witness to many successes. In particular and under Stan's leadership, Toronto played host to two of the most successful North American Provincial conventions ever held; one beign in 1996 and the other in 2001.

Stan was awarded the Comhaltas North American Founders' Award during the 1997 Comhaltas North American Provincial convention in Boston. He is currently chairperson of the Langan Gorman Branch in Toronto and continues to do stalward work on the organization's behalf.

We are all proud of his achievements and are thankful to have Stan as to "go to guy," the fellow who knows how to get things done. It's reassuring to know that, when called upon in the future, Stan will be there to foster the organization and the music that is so near and dear to his huge Irish heart.

For these reasons and many more, it is with pride that we induct Stan O'Donohue into the Comhaltas Music Hall of Fame.

Text taken from the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame program for Saturday October 31, 2009. Toronto, Ontario.
Until next time / Go dtí an chéad uair eile!