Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Music Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees

On Saturday 13 October 2018 in Hamilton was the Canada East Region AGM. After all meetings were done, there was a dinner-ceremony to award the CCE Canada East Region Musical Hall of Fame inductees, the Quinn Family. After the ceremony, there was a ceili and much dancing.

The Quinn Family 

(Desmond Quinn, Bonnie White, Geraldine Quinn-MacWilliams, Emily Quinn, Matthew Quinn, Kira MacWilliams, Riely MacWilliams and Connor MacWilliams)

                     

The award was presented by the outgoing CCE Canada East Region, Ena O'Brian and His Excellency Jim Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland in Canada, in Hamilton on 13 October 2018.

Desmond Quinn, born in Belfast, Ireland. He grew up playing guitar, vocals and whistles. He and his first wife moved to Saskatoon in the mid 1970s and brought up their children (Geraldine, Emily and Matthew) with the same passion for music that he received growing up.  In 1981 with his wife and other Irish expats founded the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Saskatoon branch.

By 1989 Desmond and his children moved to Hamilton and founded the first Irish session at the Lionhead Pub, and weekly ran successfully to a packed house for twelve years. Years later he was recipient of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Regional Service Award for his dedication to the promotion of Irish culture in Hamilton.

Bonnie White, grew up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, immersed in both Scottish and Irish music and traditions, competing in highland dancing and playing in ceilidhs. She was one of the founding members of “The Scotia Highland Dancers” troupe that toured in Canada and the British Isles during the 1980s. She plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and does vocals.

Along friends, which included Geraldine Quinn, formed a Celtic Band in 2006; her interest in learning the timing of Irish jigs and reels that let to Desmond becoming her mentor and later her husband and joined the weekly sessions at the Lionhead Pub.

Around 2008, the sessions moved to the Irish Canadian Club and the Hamilton Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Hamilton Irish Arts, had been founded and Desmond, Bonnie and the family became members. In May 2011 the Hamilton Irish Arts weekly music sessions moved to the Corktown Pub. That same year Bonnie was inducted into the Antigonish (Nova Scotia) Highland Society’s Hall of Fame for her dedication to her Scottish heritage.

Geraldine Quinn-MacWilliams, born in Belfast, Ireland and moved with her parents to Saskatoon. She took Irish step dance with her mother as instructor, performing in festivals and concerts and competed in western Canada where she received awards. By age 11 she picked up the piano accordion and focused on Irish traditional music. When she and her family moved to Hamilton, her brother Matthew took up the fiddle so they both competed in North America in Irish traditional music, winning awards and qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh.

Emily Quinn, she began playing traditional tin whistle at the age of 10, and then piano. She attended the Ontario Conservatory to improve her piano playing where she performed and competed. By age 14, began playing the piano accordion. Currently studies Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

Matthew Quinn, began playing music at age eight with the tin whistle and then by age 10 moved to classical violin. He has won the Greater Hamilton Royal Conservatory Music Festival Grade 8 competition, placed 1^stin the 2017 and 2018 Provincial Musical Festival with the Hamilton East Chamber Ensemble. In the summer 2018 he enrolled in the Scoil Éigse at Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. 

Kira MacWilliams(Geraldine’s daughter), began competing in Irish dancing at the age of seven, achieving Preliminary Championship and winning numerous awards before she decided to focus on music. She played piano since she was seven and then changed to violin at 11; currently working on her Royal Conservatory levels.

Riely MacWilliams(Geraldine’s daughter), she began singing when she was five years-old and won several competitions including the Greater Hamilton Music Festival and the Rotary Burlington Festival. In traditional Irish singing she won 1^stplace in the O’Donnell Feis, Roseland Feis and Forest City Feis. Also by age 12 she began to play guitar and now participates in the weekly sessions. 

Connor MacWilliams(Geraldine’s son), started playing the violin when he was five  years-old and he is working on his Royal Conservatory levels. He has won awards in the Hamilton Music Festival and Kiwanis Music Festival. He has participated in the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoild, Tir na Nóg. He also participates in ceili dances.

The Quinn Family performs after the induction to the Musical Hall of Fame

Ceili dancing

Ena O'Brien and Jim Magee

2017 Canadian East Region Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Music Hall of Fame

Robert (Bob) Francis MacDiarmid 

(Harp of Tara Branch, Kingston)

Last October  14, 2017 in Ottawa was the Canadian East Region AGM. Many members of the CCE branches across the East Region of Canada came to Ottawa for the meeting. As is usual, at the AGM, a person is introduced to the region's Music Hall of Fame. This year the honour was bestowed on Bob MacDiarmid.  The actual text of his induction to the Hall follows.

It is with great pleasure that the region is inducting Robert (Bob) Francis MacDiarmid into our Music Hall of Fame.

Bob was born in Ottawa in 1953. His father was of Irish heritage. Bob left home at an early age to seek his fortune in the world. He worked at various jobs across Canada as a longshoreman, construction worker and IT specialist.

In Edmonton he met Angeles (Angela) Garcia, a medical resident. They would marry and begin their lives together, living in Edmonton and Spain before settling in Toronto and beginning a family, raising two sons, Allan and Victor.

It was in Toronto where Bob's interest in all things Irish took hold. He began attending sessions, learning to play the fiddle and attending set dancing classes with Maureen Mulvey-O'Leary.

In 1995 Bob and Angela moved to Kingston where Angela set up a medical practice and began teaching medicine at Queen's University.

Bob became a stay home dad looking after their large home and grounds and carrying out a lot of renovations to it.

https://www.harpoftara.com

In Kingston Bob became active in the Comhaltas Branch serving as chair at one time and the PRO where he still serves the branch.

Bob Initiated the slow session in Kingston 20 years ago and still runs a very active weekly slow session. Having been hooked on set dancing in Toronto, Bob and Angela also started set dancing in the back porch of their home, were we still dance from fall till summer.

In 2004 Bob hosted our first house concert in their living room with Maeve Donnelly performing to a group of about 50 people.

Since then there have been over 50 house concerts in Kingston, all but one in Bob and Angela's house. He organizes the concerts, usually with workshops, and most times billets the performers, all with no charge.  Kingston has seen the likes of Blackie O'Connell, Draoícht, Diorama, Paddy Keenan, Patrick Ourceau, Jackie Daly, Gerry O'Connor, and many others play in a small intimate venue and it would not have happened without Bob and Angela. Bob has also hosted an annual weekend workshop with Patrick Ourceau and Ivan Gough.

Perhaps his biggest undertaking has been the production of the Kingston Irish Slow Session Tune Book. This is a very carefully researched and well-presented two volume set of tune books including historical notes, background material and the tunes themselves. It is a world class project and Bob completed virtually everything himself and has made it available for download at no cost.

Bob has been instrumental in keeping the Irish Music scene alive in Kingston for over 20 years with the slow sessions, house concerts and the tune books. He is an active and key member of the Harp of Tara branch despite that his wife Angela is  now suffering from a severe, debilitating, incurable illness.

No one is more deserving of induction into the Music Hall of Fame than Bob and it will be nice for Angela to see this take place.

Congratulations Bob on an honour well deserved and welcome to the Music Hall of Fame.

https://goo.gl/images/JgLfKH

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - 2016 Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame Honours

In Sudbury, on 22 October 2016, our past Ottawa Branch Chairperson (Síle Scot) was introduced into the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame Honours.

Sheila (Síle) Anne Scott

Courtesy of Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Síle was born in 1960 in Ottawa to Deidre (née Mulrennan) and Pádraig Scott. Her childhood home was a major hub of all aspects of Irish Culture.

She began Irish dancing with Peggy Kendellen when she was in primary school. By the time she had completed high school, she was already teaching. She established a dance in school in Brockville in 198, and began teaching with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Ottawa in the same year. Her dance teams have taken first place in Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada four times since 2011, and have given many performances at other events.

As head instructor for the Ottawa Comhaltas Branch, she was also responsible for calling monthly céilís, and acting as "Bean an Tí" (headmistress). In addition to céilí and set dancing, she also reached sean-nós dancing and placed first int he open event at the Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada  in 2012. Other Oireachtas awards include 2nd place in Irish language singing (style other than sean-nós -old style) in 2014, and 2nd place in poetry recitation in 2015.

She was a founding executive member of Cumann na Gaeltachta (2002) along with her husband Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh and others of the North American Gaeltacht (Gaeltacht Thuaisceart on Oileáin Úir, 2007) and Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada (2011).

Síle has been an inspirational Comhaltas figure in Canada, and in the Irish language and cultural community, for more than 20 years. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Her generosity, patience, and genuine interest in people, are immediately in evidence. Her leadership, Intelligence, vision, skills, and talents are legend.

It is with great pride that we induct Síle Scot in the Comhaltas Music Hall of Fame.

Ena O'Brien

Chairperson

Canada East Regional Board

Anne McConnell-Strong -- Former Eastern Regional Chair

Courtesy A. Reid

Anne McConnell-Strong

May 18, 1934 - October 3, 2016

Born in Co. Galway, Ireland, Anne trained as a nurse in England, and eventually settled in Canada in the 1960s. She quickly became part of the Irish community in North America. In 1978, Anne founded the local chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, was elected chairperson of the Eastern Comhaltas Regional Board in 1988, and spent nearly four decades ceaselessly promoting the development and preservation of Irish traditional music, dance and culture in Canada and the United States.

On October 2^nd, she sustained a fall after leaving a Toronto stage, where moments earlier had been bestowed with an appreciation award.  Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.

Anyone who was remotely involved in the Irish cultural community in Canada knew and respected Anne for her dedication, her vision and her humanity. She dedicated a large part of her life to advancing the cause of traditional Irish music, dance and entertainment over the past 40 odd years, and we are deeply grateful for her tireless efforts. Her special love was bringing Echoes of Erin to Canada as often as possible and in doing this, she enabled countless hours of entertainment for many people.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to know Anne and to work with her in Comhaltas.

On behalf of the Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, we extend our deepest sympathies to Elmer, Ita, Dympna, Fintan, and the family on the death of Anne McConnell-Strong. We made a donation to Martha's Table in her memory. 

Comhaltas 2015 Canada East Region AGM

2015 Comhaltas Canada East Region AGM

On Saturday 7 November 2015, the Harp of Tara CCE Kingston Branch, very graciously hosted the 2015 Regional AGM. There were several workshops on Saturday morning and a meet and greet event on Friday night.

Outgoing Regional Executive: Pat, Anne, Genevieve and Phyllis

The branches present at the meeting were Kingston, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, and Sudbury; Montreal and Saint John sent their regrets. Ottawa was represented by our Chair S. Scott, Vice-chair C. Hamm, M. Maher, B. Guglich, P. Cassidy, T. Forsythe, P. Avendano.

Some of the topics discussed were the branches proyected planning to celebrate Ireland's 1916 events (Easter Rising). This include presentations about the importance of the Irish language in the 1916 uprising via a collaboration between the University of Ottawa and the Irish Embassy.

There was the election of the new Regional Executive, where three long-serving officers were stepping down: Anne McConnell-Strong (President), Phyllis Gorman (Treasurer), and Patrick McGuire (Secretary). B. Guglich was asked to perform the duties of the Election's officer.

CCE Ottawa Branch's Bridget was the Elections Officer

Pat received tokens of appreciation from all Eastern Branches

Phyllis received tokens of appreciation from all Eastern Branches

Pat, Anne and Phyllis, the retiring members of the executive

The new officers are:

Ena O'Brien (TO) - Chairperson || Cathaoirleach
Maureen Mulvey O'Leary (TO) - Vice-Chairperson || Leascathaoirleach
Crystal McCollom (SB) - Secretary || Rúnaí
Sara Van Hamme (HA) - Treasurer || Cisteoir
Ann Gorman-McKinney (HA) - Public Relations Officer || Oifigeach Caidrimh Phoiblí
Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (OT)- Irish Officer || Treoraí na Gaeilge
Genevieve Robinson (TO) - Youth Officer || Oifigeach na nÓg
Bridgit Ripley (SB) - Auditor || Reachtaire
Craig Hamm (OT) - Auditor || Reachtaire
Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (OT) - Delegate to Province || Ionadaí
Steafan Hannigan (KG) - Delegate to Province || Ionadaí

Outgoing members and the 2015 Executive: Pat, Ena, Anne, Genevieve, Phyllis, Sarah

Pat Cassidy

Our own esteemed former Ottawa Branch Membership Officer (Pat Cassidy) was asked to take the role of Regional Membership Officer (Oifigeach Ballraíocht), a role that before was under the duties of the Regional Treasurer, since the incoming Treasurer is not familiar with the complex calculation of membership dues. Pat graciously accepted.

Toni and Maureen

Also the East Regions nominations for the Provincial Council members were selected. The Provincial Council members will be elected at the CCE Provincial Convention in St. Louis (Missouri) between 31 March to 6 April 2016.

A motion was passed (prior to the AGM) to request to CCE Ireland to change the dates for the 2016 Echoes of Erin tour to Canada can be moved, due to the problem of scheduling concert venues (and audiences) during the Canadian Thanskgiving, as it has been experienced in the past years. We are waiting for a response from Dublin.

There were services awards given to long-term members: Jack Hickman and Elmer Strong.

Jack Hickman

Elmer Strong

The next tentative date for the Regional AGM is for 22 October 2016 in Sudbury.

Chair’s Corner: Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, May 2015

The Chair attended the CCÉ North American Province convention in Parsippany, NJ in April.

Highlights of the Provincial meeting:

• Sarah Johnson (MO) new Irish Language Officer for the Province
• On-line version of Treoir will be available in two years
• Canada has to become a province first, before it can make proposal for funding
• Meitheal money is available for a wide range of community development activities
• Glór nan Gael also another very good source of funding
• Strongly encouraged by out-going president of CCÉ, Vincent Jordan,  to make the case, produce a business proposal requesting that Canada form its own province
• There is a recognition that Canada has a different history and different connection to Ireland that the US
• Ireland would support a request from Canada to form its province
• Ireland cannot commit money until we make the first move and provide them with a business case for why we need to be our own province 
• The Canadian delegation asked that part of its start-up funding,  Canada should request and be given a % of the ‘investment’ that Canada has already made to the North American Province over the last 30 or so years. 

 Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Friday 24 October Pre-CCÉ Canada East Regional AGM gathering/ session

Regional AGM - Friday Night at Celtic Cross Pub gathering / session

Where: Celtic Cross Pub (upstairs room), 343 Somerset Street West Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8 

When: Friday 24 October, 5:30PM. 

For all the CCÉ delegates that are arriving on Friday 24 October for the East Coast Regional AGM, the Celtic Cross Pub has offered their upstairs rooms for people to congregate in to eat, drink, be merry, and possibly/hopefully have a session.

All members, are encouraged to drop in to meet any of the delegates that may go there.

Join us for a good craic!

CCÉ Canada East Regional AGM and workshops

When: Saturday 25 October 2014

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 2L6

Cost: Workshops: $10 members, $15 non-members; Dinner: $20 (tickets must be purchased in advance!), Céilí: $10 for members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for students


This year the CCÉ Ottawa Branch will be hosting the East Region AGM, besides the meeting proper, we have a day full of activities with workshops (dance, music and language), a banquet and a céilí.

LOCATION
The meeting, workshops, dinner and ceili all are taking place at the same location: in the lower level of Blessed Sacrament Church. That's 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, K1S 2L6.

SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of the day's events, subject to change. More detail on each of these events follows.

09:30am: morning registration

10:00am: set dance workshop with Maureen Mulvey

10:30am: language workshop with Tomás Ó Murchú
      lunch break (not provided)

12:30pm: afternoon registration

1:00pm: AGM

1:30pm: singing workshop with Ellen MacIsaac
1:30pm: pipes/whistle workshop with Steafan Hannigan
3:30pm: bodhran workshop with Steafan Hannigan
6:00pm: dinner (at the Blessed Sacrament Hall)

8:00pm: céilí

WORKSHOPS
The workshops are open to all. One or two (Bodhran and/or Uilleann Pipes) may be happening at the same time as the AGM, but in a separate room. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, for each workshop, payable to CCE Ottawa for cheques, or cash. There will be a registration table from 09:30 and from 12:30 to 13:00.

Here is a summary of the workshops.


Singing

http://uottawa.academia.edu/EllenMacIsaac

Ellen MacIsaac will offer a workshop on singing in both the English and Irish-language traditions. The workshop will focus not just on repertoire, but also on ornaments and on voice production to achieve the right sound when singing in the Irish tradition. Ellen lectures at the University of Ottawa in the Modern Languages department, and directs the Ottawa Celtic Choir. 




Bodhran/ Uilleann Pipes

http://www.steafan.com

Steafan Hannigan has worked with many top artists including Lorraine Jordan, Il Divo, Julian Lloyd Weber, Pete Lockett, Bjork, Depeche Mode, Gary Barlow, Uriah Heep, Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, John Kirkpatrick, Broderick, Luke Daniels, Sin É, Linn Tilla, Anne Lister, Eileen McGann, Band of Hope, Lammas, Tim Garland, Brian Willoghby from the Strawbs, Loreena McKennitt , Jeff Martin, James Keelaghan, Art Turner, The Afro-celts, John O'Connor, and Michael Flately. He was, sadly, unavailable for some wonderful people such as Page and Plant, Tory Amos (wedding), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dave Stuart, and U2 who he had to turn down!

Steafan has worked in over twenty countries , recorded on over eighty albums and played live in places as diverse as Syria, Sudan, Jordan, Greece, Kazakstan  India, Canada, and Turkey.

Language

Tomás Ó Murchú, a Ireland Canada University Foundation (ICUF) Scholar and a Teagascóir Gaeilge – University of Ottawa.

AGM

The East Region AGM will run from 1:30PM to 4:30 PM. There will be many CCÉ members from other East Canada branches.


DINNER
We invite you to join us for a catered dinner in the church hall, between the AGM and the ceili. Dinner to be served at 6pm, and will include a vegetarian option. The cost is $20, and you must pay for your dinner ticket in advance at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/comhaltas-regional-agm-dinner-tickets-9673960075 The dinner is being catered by Bobby's Table, a 4.5 star Ottawa caterer.

IMPORTANT! The deadline for paying for the dinner is Wed, Oct 22 at 9AM.

These are pictures taken at the AGM by P. Cassidy.

CEILI
Join us for our monthly céilí  featuring live music by the CCÉ Ottawa Céilí Band, refreshments, dances called by our chair Sheila Scott, and live entertainment by the "Hannigan family." As this ceili falls close to Hallowe'en, we encourage you to dress up in a costume if you like. Cost of the ceili is $10 for members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for students, payable at the door.

We hope that you will join us on the 25th of October for a good craic!

Comhaltas turned 60 in 2011

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Region 2011 Achievements Awards

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.

On Saturday, October 15th 2011, in Kingston, Ontario there was an event to commemorate the fact that Comhaltas was turning 60 years. It was also the opportunity to honour the dedication and service to others by members of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Region. The presenter of the awards was His Excellency, Dr. Ray Basset, Irish Ambassador to Canada. Here are the seventeen people that were honoured:

Desmond Quinn (Hamilton Irish Arts)
Desmond has been a fixture int he Irish music scene in Hamilton for more than ten years. Prior to that, he had played major roles in Comhaltas Branches in Saskatoon and Toronto. As a very talented musician, he has devoted much effort to encouraging others to take up the playing of Irish traditional music.

Anne Gorman-McKinney (Hamilton Irish Arts)
Ann has been involved in Irish music and dancing since the 1980s. She has been very instrumental in helping to create the Hamilton Comhaltas Branch. In addition to serving on the executive, she has used her photographic skills in Branch promotion and archival preservation. She has also brought set dancing to the Hamilton Branch.

Rae Shepp (Montreal Branch)
Rae is a long-standing Comhaltas member who plays the tin whistle, concertina and bodhrán. She teaches these skills, as well as set dancing to Branch members. She also plays a key role in welcoming new members and encouraging others to join the Montreal Branch. Her generosity and dedication is an inspiration to all.

Eunice Cavanaugh (Montreal Branch)

Eunice has served as Branch Treasurer for the last twenty yeas and has worked extremely hard in serving the Montreal Branch in many other capacities. Her dedication behind the scenes has helped the Montreal Branch to remain a stalwart Comhaltas branch in the Canada East Region. She richly deserves our admiration and respect.

Toni Forsythe (Ottawa Branch)

Toni is a highly talented artist who uses her skills in the preparation of Branch material for many occasions. She has served on Branch committees for more than twenty years, including several executive positions at the Branch and Regional Board level. She plays a continuing, key role in promoting the teaching of Irish music in Ottawa.

Patricia Cassidy (Ottawa Branch)

A long-time members of Comhaltas in Ottawa, Patricia has been responsible for heading the membership and public relations committees and as BRanch photographer, records many Branch events for the archives. She plays and has taught the tin whistle. She has organized and hosted many music seisiuns.

Eileen Kennedy (Sudbury Irish Arts Association)

Eileen has been an active member of the Sudbury Branch since its formation in 1996. She has assumed the roles of Branch Auditor, singing instructor, plus numerous other volunteer positions. She is always a wise and steady voice in the promotion of Branch and Comhaltas activities. Her eager, willing and effective efforts continue to affect the success of Branch activities.

Edward McIlveen (Sudbury Irish Arts Association)

A most willing volunteer, Ed has served as Branch Social Convenor and has always been a willing volunteer at Branch activities, during his long involvement with the Sudbury Branch. His keen interest is Irish music led him to learn how to play tin whistle and even try out the set and céilí dancing, in the early years of the branch. If you need a volunteer for event set-up, Ed's your man.

Michael Donoghue (Langan Gorman Branch - Toronto)

Michael is a tireless, behind the scenes, volunteer worker for Comhaltas and the Toronto Branch. His  long-time dedication to promoting the aims and objectives of Comhaltas, only serves to reinforce the recognition that this Comhaltas 60th Anniversary Achievements Award bestows.

Eamonn O'Loghlin (Langan Gorman Branch - Toronto)

Eamonn was a founding member of the first Comhaltas Branch. His organizational skills and hard work resulted in two highly successful Comhaltas conventions, hosted by the Toronto Branch. He continues to make a major contribution to the promotion of Irish culture in Toronto, in Canada and in the USA. He is always good for a song and a laugh.

Bob MacDiarmid & Angeles Garcia (Harp of Tara Branch - Kingston)

Working as a team, husband and wife, Bob and Angeles have promoted Irish culture through the Branch by hosting weekly language classes, organizing and hosting house concerts in their home, promoting the Irish language Immersion Camps and volunteering at the monthly céilís. Together, they make a major contribution to Irish language, dance and music in Kingston.

Stephen Rayner & Julie Bowes (Harp of Tara Branch - Kingston)

This husband and wife team have contributed significantly to the growth and vitality of the Kingston Branch. Their hard work in promoting the North American Gaeltacht project, their service in senior roles on the Branch executive, their contributions to running monthly céilís, plus numerous quiet efforts, serve to inspire us all to greater effort.

Eva Steele (Saint John Branch)

As a founding member of the Saint John Branch in New Brunswick, Eva has been a long time promoter of Irish traditional dance, music, language and Irish culture in general, in and around the Saint John area. She serves to remind us all about the importance of preserving our rich Irish traditions and culture.

Bryce Neill (Saint John Branch)

In his seventeen years as a Comhaltas member, Bryce has occupied executive positions in the Saint John Branch, organized the Echoes of Erin Tours and has actively participated in all Branch activities, all the while promoting his Irish heritage. He has a keen interest in céilí dancing, Irish traditional music and has a large repertoire of Irish songs.

Phyllis Cussen-Gorman (Canada East Regional Board, Langan Gorman Branch - Toronto)

For 15 years, Phyllis has provided dedicated, outstanding service in maintaining the Regional membership records and teaching Branch secretaries to perform a similar task in their Branches. These records also provide the information for Treoir mailings through the country. Her attention to detail has saved us from increased work and expenses.

1951-2011

Text taken from the CCÉ Canada East Region 2011 Achievement Awards program for Saturday October 15, 2011. Kingston, Ontario

Related to the following posts:
http://ottawacomhaltas.blogspot.ca/2013/07/cce-canada-east-region-music-hall-of.html

http://ottawacomhaltas.blogspot.ca/2013/08/2009-cce-canada-east-region-music-hall.html

http://ottawacomhaltas.blogspot.ca/2013/08/2009-cce-canada-east-region-music-hall_26.html

2009 CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame - Stuart Hook

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.

Stuart Hook

For more than 15 years, Stuart has been tireless in his efforts to support Irish Culture in St. John. He carried the Branch through tough times when membership was almost nonexistent. Stuart's loyalty and dedication to promoting Irish culture, music, song, dance and storytelling has provided a solid foundation for his branch to grow. Today the branch enjoys a record number of members.

Though Stuart was born in Peterborough, England, his wife Helena, who hails from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, jokes that he is more Irish than she is. It was through the nurturing atmosphere of Comhaltas that Stuart found the confidence to learn to play musical instruments and to sing. He did neither until he was in this fifties! Stuart's skill on the tin whistle and bodhran blossomed under the Comhaltas umbrella.

Stuart is always eager to share his knowledge and talents with others and strives to make traditional Irish music accessible to all ages and skill levels. He has developed musical associations throughout New Brunswick and beyond. This has been a great benefit to Comhaltas and has enriched many people's Irish experience.

Over the years, Stuart has held several positions within the St. John Branch Executive including: Auditor, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. He encourages other members in their efforts to participate and grow within the organization. Stuart's approachable manner and nurturing personality have made him an excellent ambassador for Comhaltas and the Irish culture in general.

For these and innumerable other reasons, it is with pride that we include Stuart Hook 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

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.