Chair's Corner - Notes from the Ottawa Irish Arts (CCE Ottawa) Chair, September 2017

Over the summer we were slightly more busy than usual. On June 16, myself, the Irish Officer (D. Doyle), the PRO (Oscar), the Social Media Officer (Pat), and guests Mary Muckle (harp), Pat Marshall (harp), Tim Robinson (pipes) spent the day (and lead up days, preparing) at the Ottawa Irish Arts booth at the "Ireland Welcomes the World" day at the Landsdowne park Horticulture building, which was also Bloomsday! The booth was prepared with instruments, Troir samples, Danny’s book on the Irish language in Canada, cds and sheet music for sale, the trifold, and up to date pamphlets. 

There was a lot of interest in the harps, the language, and interest in our events. The estimate was about 4000-5000 people came through over about 12 hours. It was clearly the best public outreach the Irish community has had in many years, that was not on St. Patrick’s, which tends to get more attention for partying. It was very successful and I hope that the outreach is noticed at our events.

On August 2nd there was a spectacular concert at St Brigid’s Centre, Kildare Room, with Pierre Schryer, Dermot Byrne, and Adam Dobres. Special guests included several locals and the Shryer brothers, who had not played on stage together for many years. It was well attended by about 100 people. It was a fundraiser for Pierre’s brother Dan, whose house was destroyed by fire earlier in the summer. The Old Sod Society provided most of the advertising, and got many people to come. It was billed as a joint Old Sod and Ottawa Irish Arts effort, and we got recognition for that. 

OIA was also invited to the exhibit opening in the Byward market hosted by the NCC and the Irish Embassy, "The Irish Diaspora in Canada: A History." It was also Liz Keogh’s last event as the 2nd Secretary of the Embassy. We bid her and Niall a fond farewell. Her new posting is in Limerick. We also met the incoming 2nd Secretary. at this event, Laura Finlay.

I attended the Irish ambassador's residence reception for the 2017 Eastern Regional GAA Championship participants, where I met the incoming ICUF Scholar, Sheila Concannon (we had said farewell to the previous scholar Kate Jordan earlier in the summer at a reception held by Margaret Moriarty).

Sadly, Branch member, Laurie Kelly, wife of Pat Kelly, died suddenly while visiting Ireland with Pat on Aug 30 at age 75. Patricia Avendano and I attended the funeral reception, and left a card on behalf of the branch. The branch made a donation to the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation.


Respectfully || Le meas,

Craig Hamm 
Chair || Cathaoirleach

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

Tuairisc ó Ottawa! Mí Eanáir 2016 - My time teaching in Ottawa, January 2016

Tuairisc ó Ottawa! 

Mí Eanáir 2016.

Is anseo in Ottawa, príomhchathair Cheanada, atáim lonnaithe ó mhí Mheáin Fómhair seo caite. Ón gcéad lá gur thosnaíos ag múineadh Gaeilge in Ollscoil Ottawa bhí fuinneamh le mothú sa timpeallacht. Os cionn seasca mac léinn a dhéanann staidéar ar an nGaeilge i rith seimeastar an fhómhair gach bliain. Dhá rang a bhíonn ann, roinnte idir beirt mhúinteoir. Anois, agus seimeastar an gheimhridh buailte linn, rang amháin a bhíonn ann. Cé go mbíonn níos lú i gcónaí ag iarraidh tuilleadh Gaeilge a fhoghlaim i ndiaidh na Nollag, níl aon dabht faoi ach go bhfuil dearcadh thar a bheith dearfach ag an dream díograiseach seo. Níl sé éasca dona mic léinn tabhairt faoin dteanga nua seo ach idir mhodhanna múinte éagsúla agus ag coimeád an teanga beo bríomhar sa seomra ranga, éiríonn go geal leo agus is minic a bhíonn sceitimíní orthu ag cleachtadh labhairt na Gaeilge!

Ní hí an teanga an t-aon ghné de shaol na hÉireann atá á mhúineadh agam anseo i gCeanada. An seimeastar seo, múinim lucht na tríú bliana. Is mic léinn iad a dhein stáidéar ar chuid dena teangacha Ceilteacha cheana féin agus anois atá i mbun stáidéir a dhéanamh ar an stair a bhaineann leo agus ar an stádás a bhíonn acu ina dtíortha féin. 

Ní féidir a shéanadh ach go bhfuil pobal Gaelach fíor-láidir anseo sa phríomhchathair. Múinim dhá rang ostoíche mar chuid dena ceachtanna a bhíonn ar fáil trí Caint ‘is Comhrá. Mhúineas ag an Lá Gaeilge a bhí ar siúl acu i mí na Samhna agus ag an tum-deireadh seachtaine a bhí faoi bhun acu sa bhfómhar. Bhí cultúr na Gaeilge fite fuaite leis an teanga ag na hocáidí seo. Is iontach an rud é nuair a fheicim na hócáidí seo agus na céilithe a ritheann Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Ottawa, ag dul ó neart go neart idir Éireannaigh agus Ceanadaigh! D’oibrigh mé leis an dream céanna chun cabhrú leis an iarracht domhanda mar chuid de Chomhrá ’15. 

                            

‘An rud is annamh is iontach’ agus sin díreach cad atá i gceist leis an nGaeltacht anseo in Ontario, idir Ottawa ‘is Kingston. Níl ach tréimhse gearr caite agam ann go fóill don Lá Oibre agus mar sin táim ag tnúth le teacht an earraigh nuair a bheidh tuilleadh laethanta le caitheamh ann. 

Tá an-bhaint go deo agam leis an Ionad Ealaíon agus Cultúir, Ionad Naomh Bhríde. Sin an t-ionad náisiúnta dona na hÉireannaigh anseo thar sáile. Idir Cheanadaigh agus Éireannaigh a fhreastlaíonn ar na himeachtaí, idir dhaoine a rugadh in Éirinn agus i gCeanada ach an cheangail a bhíonn eatarthu ná gurb í Éire an áit arbh as formhór a sinsearach. Chuaigh sé i bhfeidhm orm bualadh leis an gcéad mhúinteoir a bhí ag múineadh Gaeilge anseo in Ottawa; bean sna nócaidí a d’fhág Corcaigh ar bhád sna daichidí déanacha ‘is í ag tabhairt aire d’á páistí. Tá an-mheas go deo agam uirthi, mar atá ag muintir Ottawa, ag éisteacht leis na scéalta a bhíonn aici agus an slí ina chur sí múineadh na Gaeilge chun tosaigh i gcónaí anseo i gCeanada.

I láthair na huaire, táim gnóthach ag eagrú imeachtaí le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge. Cé go mbeidh cúpla ócáid faoi leith ar siúl san ollscoil beidh roinnt mhaith ar siúl sa mhórphobal chomh maith! Tá baill Caint ‘is Comhrá ag eagrú iad féin chun teacht chuig ceann dena ranganna san ollscoil go luath le haghaidh ócáide a bheidh ar siúl againn ‘is tá gach éinne ag tnúth leis! Tá baint agam ón bhfómhar le Ottawa Gaels agus Éire Óg, agus beidh siad ag tabhairt cuairte ar mo rang ollscoile go luath freisin chun baill fóirne a mhealladh sula dtosnaíonn an traenáil arís don athbhliain!

‘Is mé ag siúl thar Chnoc Parlaiminte gach lá, tugaim áilleacht na cathrach faoi ndeara agus bím cinnte de go mothóidh mé Ottawa go mór uaim nuair a chríochnóidh mo thréimhse anseo. Éispéireas den chéad scoth atá ann ach mar a deirtear ‘ní bhíonn in aon rud ach seal’. 

Cáit Ní Shiúrtáin

ICUF Scholar at University of Ottawa

Chair's Corner - February 2016

February 2016

Dear members and friends of the Comhaltas Ottawa Branch,

I am writing to you about our exciting Trivia Night (4 February), and to share concerns on the financial status of the branch.

Trivia Night

We have organized an Irish Trivia Night, as a fundraiser, that was held Thursday, 4 February, at Patty Boland’s in the Byward Market, 101 Clarence St., starting at 7PM. It was only $10 per person to enter, and teams of up to 4 were allowed. It was a great time and a fun way to test your knowledge of Irish history, geography, music, dance, literature and sport.  

Finances - background

Trivia nights are a necessary fundraiser for us because over the last several years the chipping away of revenues due to a decrease in attendance at monthly activities, and increases in costs, are taking their toll on the branch. While the situation is not yet dire, it is nonetheless serious and of concern to Executive. If you wish to understand the financial strain in more detail, read on.

Costs: In 2013 rental fees at Blessed Sacrament increased from $100 to $150 per use. This translates to monthly costs ranging from $400 to as much as $900. Yet, less than 20% of the money taken in for Irish language and dance instructions fees is kept as Branch revenues. In 2013, our financial obligation to the Provincial level of Comhaltas increased. Within the last year our Treasurer, Gord McFee, undertook an analysis of the fees which the branch sends to the Region for further distribution up the chain. We were rudely reminded that approximately 80% of the membership fee is sent from the branch. This means our branch exports, approximately, the rather significant sum of $1,500 to the higher levels of CCE, annually. It is understood that these contributions are used to mainly publish and distribute the Treoir magazine (3 issues per year, now, and it is now available online), and to send delegates to Provincial meetings, and meetings in Ireland. A lively discussion on this very topic took place at the recent Canadian Eastern Region Comhaltas AGM held in Kingston. A motion was passed, asking the Provincial executive to precisely describe what these large branch contributions are used for. We hope to have an answer by the time of the Convention (St. Louis, March 31 - April 3).


Revenues: Over the past several years our revenues have fallen off. Branch membership has slowly dwindled, lowering income from memberships. Sometimes people simply forget to renew. If you know former CCE members, why not ask if they are still members, and encourage them to join. Commensurately, céilí attendance has dwindled, though a steady number of people still attend (30-40) each month, many are non-members, and many are students ($5 entry). The cash bar at céilís just breaks even. It is good that people are not using the bar for over indulgence, yet while we continue to provide this service to céilí guests, it generates no revenue to speak of.


We live in a busy world with many demands on people’s personal time. Numbers attending Monday night set dance classes have tended to be low, while numbers attending Irish language classes have tended to be higher. Nonetheless, holding classes incur a weekly rental cost, plus instructor fees.

For some years, the March St. Patrick’s Céilí provided good returns on tickets sold at the door and at the bar, but despite these events being resounding successes and a lot of fun, numbers have fallen off. Attendance peaked at over 150 three years ago, but we barely had 100 last year. At that level, a catered céilí is not profitable, and we are reluctant to raise ticket prices.


Way Forward

All of these costs, fees, and decreases of income have exerted pressure on the Executive to look seriously at the future of the branch and its activities. We are fundamentally a volunteer run organization which is paramount to survival. The number and frequency of events will be looked at, adjustments to payments and honoraria are necessary, and scaling back the traditionally large March céilí is now under serious consideration. Your thoughts and suggestions will be actively sought by telephone or email in order to engage you in the future of our branch and its activities. If you wish to discuss any of this with me, please email Acting Chair. We might even go for a tea, coffee, or a pint?

Chairperson Change

Our elected Chairperson, Sheila Scott, has been off work on sick leave since Thanksgiving. She has been unable to call céilís, teach dance classes, or attend meetings on a regular basis. For this reason, with Sheila’s blessing, my position has changed to Acting Chair, formerly Vice Chair. It is uncertain when she will be able to return to her normal duties. Please keep our dear friend, Sheila, in your daily thoughts.


Respectfully,

Craig Hamm

Acting Chair | Cathaoirleach Sealadach

Irish Trivia Night Fundraiser - Tráth na gCeist

Tráth na gCeist  Fundraiser

When: Thursday 4 February 2016 at 7PM

Where: Patty Boland's Pub in the Byward Market, 101 Clarence St.

Cost: $10 per person, and teams of up to 4 people are allowed (teams are not required)

Join fellow Ireland and Irish enthusiasts this Thursday night for an evening of fun questions and answers on the people, places, music, and history of Ireland. The event is a fundraiser for the Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (English translation is "Gathering of the Musicians of Ireland"). There will be prizes available. A wide variety of topics have been chose, so everybody should have a chance at a few points over the night.

Bring a friend!

We hope to see you there!

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

A very heartfelt thank you to the members of the executive who have stepped in to the activities that I normally do (due to current health problems).

Thank you to all of the members of the executive who attended the Regional AGM in Kingston: C. Hamm, P. Avendano, and branch members M. Maher, T. Forsythe, B. Guglich, and P. Cassidy.  We have a new Regional Executive, see the previous blog post. 

The next Regional Meting will be in Sudbury in 2016. The dates are October 22nd, the 4th Saturday of the month. Also CCÉ Ottawa Branch member P. Cassidy will take the responsibilities of the regional membership and work with the new Treasurer to ensure a smooth transition.

Jack Hickman and Elmer Strong were given Service Awards by the Kingston Branch.

The outgoing Regional Chair is looking for venues to host the Echoes of Erin concert for next fall (2016). She has asked that the concert tour begin in mid-September so that the tour will not coincide with Canadian Thanksgiving. She is still waiting for an answer.

Ann Gorman McKinney, PRO for the Region, produced a great document highlighting the achievements and hard work of A. McConnell – Strong, P. Gorman and P.McGuire as all they stepped down from the Regional Board this year.

All branches were strongly encouraged to make use of social media to advertise and promote our branch events. If we would like to submit articles for Treoir, please submit them to the Chair (Ena O’Brien).

I have been in told that the dance classes with Danny Doyle are going very well.

We also purchased 20 copies of Gaeilge gan Stró (10 beginner and 10 low intermediate). They should arrive shortly; so that the students who need a copy can get one.

The branch wished to express its condolences to the following members:

• B. Guglich on the sudden passing of her sister
• C. McFee on the sudden passing of her brother.

 Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Chair’s Corner: Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, August-September 2015

A very heartfelt thank you also to all of our branch members who volunteered in many ways in the preparing of the site of the Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada, which we did not use because of rain, setting up the hotel venue, printing certificates, directing  people and answering their questions. CCÉ members from the Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton and Sudbury branches attended and competed in the event this year.

Also a huge thank you again to the Ottawa CCÉ dancers who came out for twice weekly practiced for the set dancing competition. It paid off again in another gold medal performance!  Dancers were C. McFee, P. Avendano, D. Clement, A. Mayrand, S. Proctor, L. Hay, C. Bowers and S. Scott. Kudos also to CCÉ members A. Mayrand, M.  Comerton for participating in the signing competitions.

Several Ottawa CCÉ members attended the Irish language immersion weekend at the Gaeltacht, August 10th to 16th. These were Deirdre Dooley, Jim Downey, Helen Finn, Bridget Guglich, Margaret Moriarty, Joan O’Donoghue, Oscar Mou, Sheila Scott, Patrick Scott, Seimh Willoughby. Bridget and Sheila also taught during the week. Many thanks for your active participation in the classes, workshops and evening activities!

The Chair has been in touch with the ICUF scholar who will be with us this year. Her name is Kate Jordan.  She is from Cork also.  She is happy to teach for us this year.

The chair also have been in touch with the English Intensive Program directors and teachers, some of whom were at the May ceili. Hopefully we will have more students in attendance next fall.

Preparations are underway for the Irish language Immersion weekend in Arnprior run by Caint ‘is Comhrá. I attended a planning meeting in late July where we discussed the schedule, publicity, and fees. The weekend will be held at Galilee House in Arnprior on the last weekend of September, Friday 25th to Sunday 27th. 

Kate Jordan, the ICUF from Cork has arrived. Feedback from the students is that she is very good. Thank you also to Bridget Guglich, Joan O Donoghue and Barry Cronin for teaching the Beginner, High Advanced and Advanced classes respectively.

The Chair have met Austin Comerton and other representatives of other Irish cultural groups here in Ottawa re his Fund raising project based on the card game 25, as a way to help save the Irish card game. Present were the Gaels, the Rose of Tralee, the IWN the Irish Society and CCÉ.  We will be meeting on the 25th of each of the following months Nov, Jan, Feb, March, April and possibly May. Austin is looking for a spot like the Residence for us to run this. 

https://youtu.be/8P-aK5yMfw4 

S. Scott has been working with Joan O Donoghue, Toni Forsythe and Bridget Guglich on the organising of the Irish language Immersion weekend in Arnprior run by Caint ‘is Comhrá. The weekend will be held at Galilee House in Arnprior on the last weekend of September, Friday 25th to Sunday 27th.  Kate Jordan (ICUF Ottawa) and the ICUF scholar from Montreal, Siobhan O Maoilaigh will be teaching.

Also the Ottawa CCÉ Branch will hold its AGM on Wednesday, October 7 at 18:30 - 20:30 at the Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library (that's 1049 Bank St in Old Ottawa South, and there's free parking available, or it's also accessible via bus routes #1 or #7). We hope you can join us to elect a new executive, and get an update on what we're up to. If you are interested in running for any of the Executive positions, please contact M. Maher. Remember you must have your membership up to date (expires on 30 September) to be able to vote and to run for office.

Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

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

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

Congratulations to all the members that collaborated to make the St. Patrick’s Day March Dinner and Céilí a success. The meal was, according to reports, delicious. The whole evening went off very well. The Blakeys ended up enjoying being on the dance floor, close to the dancers. It was a long day for everyone. Thank you to all who came out to help with the set up and those were able to stay for the ‘take down.’ Bravo everyone!!!


The Chair represented CCÉ Ottawa at the induction of Eithne Dunbar into the Brockville Performing Arts Hall of Fame, on Thursday, March 26th . As many of you know, Eithne has been an energetic promoter of Irish music, language and culture in the region, initiating the Irish Cultural Society in 1996. That organization hosts ceilis, concerts and other cultural events. She has come to teach Irish for us during our Lá Gaeilge events run with Caint ‘is Comhrá. Eithne has made 2 CDs of songs in the Irish language, the only singer outside of Ireland to have done so. Profits from Eithne's CD's go to the Canadian Gaeltacht, devoted to the teaching and preservation of the Irish language and culture outside of Ireland. Eithne was featured recently at one of our ceilis, where she sang and sold some of her CDs.


The Chair also taught Irish classes at the Irish language weekend in Kingston, April 10-12. I also helped call the Saturday evening ceili by calling all the ceili dances. Stephen called the 2 sets dances. I also taught with Julie a sean nós workshop on the Sunday.


We prepared a page of memories for the family of Dorine Best. She had been involved for years in the running of the Irish language weekends in Arnprior, most recently as a member of Caint ‘is Comhrá. She also attended out Irish language classes and ceilis at Blessed Sacrament. Dorine died of cancer. A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, April 11, the same day that many of us were at the Irish language weekend in Kingston.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ottawacitizen/obituary.aspx?pid=174489177

  

Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Chair's Corner: Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, March 2015

I will start by congratulating the CCÉ adult dancers and their energetic choreographer Caitlin for their breathtakingly creative choreography (especially the piece named “Recess”) and performance at the February céilí. Bravo!!!

Oscar Mou and I participated in the International Day at Ottawa University main campus on March 5^th. I taught two dances, “The walls of Limerick”, and a modified version of the “Rince Mór". Oscar was very helpful as a demo partner and rover.

The Ottawa Chair will be travelling to the CCÉ Hamilton branch for a Saturday 7 March event filled with language classes, dance workshop and céilí.

Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

St. Patrick's Dinner and Céilí - 14 March 2015 - Family-friendly event

We Invite you

When: Saturday, March 14th, 2014. Céilí from 08:00PM to 11:30PM


Where: Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa Ontario K1S 2L5.

Tickets: $35, Please note that NO tickets will be sold at the door! Deadline for ticket purchase was 11 March. 

This is an authentic Irish, family-friendly (no green beer) event!

Last year's dinner and dance were a sellout and a HUGE success. In fact, last couple of years, we had to turn people away at the door. It will sell out this year, so you should get your tickets as soon as possible.

This year our dinner will be catered by the award-winning Bobby's Table chefs. The three-course dinner will include vegetarian, and gluten-free options! 

After a first-class, three course complete dinner, beverages available for purchase, there will be an Irish dance (Céilí), with the dances called. No experience or partner is required, and it is loads of fun and helps work the dinner off.

The excellent Comhaltas Céilí Band will provide the music and Sheila Scott will call the dances. At the intermission, Irish dancers from the Trillium Academy will be performing.

There will be a raffle, a 50-50 draw, and a multitude of crafts and items for sale, by Blakeney Designs from Kingston.

At around 10:30 PM, there will be tea and snacks.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Come, join us  and have a good craic!

Ceol, damhsa, craic!

Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, February 2015

Many thanks to current PRO for teaching the Beginner level Irish classes at the start of the term. Bridget Gulich gas accepted to take the instruction of the Beginner class onwards.

Also we have received confirmation that Ottawa will be hosting four levels of the TEG this year: A1, A2, B1 and the new B2. Ottawa is the only testing centre for Canada!

We are encouraging students in the English Intensive program at Ottawa University to attend our ceilis.

I have confirmed that I will be running a language teaching workshop on basic sean-nós dance class and to call the ceili of the Hamilton branch on Saturday March 7th.


Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Comhaltas at the Celtic Studies Lecture Series at the University of Toronto

This is a recount by CCE Ottawa branch PRO, who attended to a Celtic Studies conference in Toronto this past week (week of the 19-23 January, 2015).

Gen and her CCÉ poster

Last January, the University of Ottawa Celtic Club finally realised a vision of orchestrating a lecture series for undergraduate students from all across Ontario (we really did extend invitations to many more institutions offering Celtic Studies in North America). The extraordinary Toronto delegation graciously offered to host the 2015 edition, and did they ever do an amazing job!



First of all, more than 50 participants from all over North America took part from 18-20 January. There was an abundance of information exchanged in the presentations given by students. CCÉ Ottawa's Youth Officer Nick Bridges and PRO both gave presentations on various topics. We were glad to reconnect with former Auditor Émilie Lavallée-Funston and former Youth Officer Geneviève Robinson at the conference, where both of these participated by presenting posters (more below).



Aisling Ní Shirín, Tomás O’Murchu's Toronto counterpart, took part in a panel of professors who answered all the questions participants could possibly throw at them. The ensuing céilí on Saturday saw students demonstrate their skills in traditional and creative dance, song, and music.



Comhaltas was proudly represented by Geneviève, now the provincial Youth Officer, by her poster (see photo above). She referred several interested attendees to their local branch of CCÉ and stressed the global nature and growth of Comhaltas. A strong way to start off 2015 indeed, and something to look forward to for 2016.


By
Xavier-Oscar Mou
Oifigeach caidrimh phoiblí | Public Relations Officer

Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, January 2015

Happy New Year everyone!! I wish you all a bright, happy and healthy 2015. 

Language and dance classes are underway. Attendance to the Irish classes was middling on the Monday evening when we resumed classes, but there are two new students in the beginner class. Joan, Barry, and Tomas are back teaching their respective classes. Unfortunately, Oscar Mou cannot teach the beginner classes this semester as he has a course conflict at OttawaU. I want to take this opportunity to officially thank Oscar for teaching the Beginner group all last fall and doing such a great job. The students have said to me that they really enjoyed his classes.  

We have had a special request by one of the regular ceil attendees to assist him in surprising his girlfriend with a proposal of marriage at our January ceili. I have indicated that we would be delighted to help out. I suggested that we adapt the bonfire dance so that as many people are on the dance floor and in a circle. I think this is an exciting event to have take place at our ceili. (update: the proposal was accepted!!)

I have contacted the ‘activities coordinator’ for the English Intensive Program at OttawaU and have proposed our ceilis to them. I have also suggested our Monday night dance classes as well. We are still working on the details for the Monday night classes.


Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, November – December 2014

In November there was a Lá Gaeilge Irish Language weekend organized by Caint is Comhrá, under the auspices of the Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, with many people attending the language sessions.

Also, I have arranged to have a classroom available at Ottawa University on Wednesday evenings, for CCÉ Irish language learners, starting in January 2015 (details will soon be available on the CCÉ website). 

Tomás Ó Murchú, will be teaching the TEG preparation course for the students preparing to write the B2 level Irish proficiency test in April 2015. Some of the students that have indicated interest in these sessions are Bridget Guglich, Joan O’Donohue, Margaret Moriarty, and Patricia Willoughby. Hopefully, many others would decide to attend these classes.

In October I attended the Ottawa Gaels AGM. The current Chair of the Ottawa Gaels, Vanessa McLean, and myself have agreed to work closely together for the promotion of our respective activities. On another note, the Gaels have done a terrific job in doing two things: fund raising and getting very young children involved in the Gaelic football. To raise funds, they have run golf tournaments and a Pig Roast, and they are running Gaelic football workshops as an after school program in certain schools.

Bought and sent a flower arrangement to Mary O’Donnell on behalf of CCÉ in honour of the years of service that her husband, Ruadhraí, gave to the branch. 

Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Ruaidhri O'Donnell, 1938-2014

Ruaidhri O'Donnell, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1938, he had a twin brother, Colm and was an older brother to Frank.

When they were young, the brothers were sent to Donegal each summer where they became fluent Irish speakers and developed a great love of the language and culture of Ireland. Ruaidhri, with good University degrees behind him had a vast and varied career both in Ireland and Canada. He emigrated to Canada in 1969 where he eventually worked for the Canadian Revenue Agency.

He met and married Mary (nee Horne), they had a son Eamon.

Now, Ruaidhri possessed a wicked and clever wit which we enjoyed greatly. As a lifelong member of CCÉ Ireland he and Mary were intimately connected to CCÉ  Ottawa for over 20 years, serving on the Ottawa Branch executive for many years. One of his many (and an important) contribution was the arrangement of tables and chairs before, and putting them away after, for the ceilis. Which was very big undertaking in the days where CCÉ  Ottawa was at St Patrick's hall for years and years,  he continued with this activity when we moved to Blessed Sacrement Church Hall. However, later on his back began to give him trouble, and he could not do it anymore. He and Mary came to the ceillis and sat with friends near the back of hall enjoying the music.

Ruaidhri enjoyed the friendships with CCÉ members, but of late his illness kept them away. He will be sorely missed. 

Ruaidhri died on 30th October,  All Souls Day, he would have enjoyed the irony.

By Toni Forsythe

An obituary appeared in the Ottawa Citizen.
Many thanks to M. Maher and P. Cassidy for their candid shots of Ruaidhri. 

CCE meeting reminder and new bylaws for review

Hello again CCE Members,

Just a reminder about our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Oct 8th. This is the usual AGM in some ways -- presenting you with a report of our annual activities, and electing a new executive -- but with one very important addition: approving a special resolution that is required under the Not For Profit Act, a resolution that includes new bylaws. Voting in favour of this resolution allows us to continue being a non-profit, essentially.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions about what's in there. Everything in the bylaws, though, is mandated to be in there by either a) the Not for Profit Act and/or b) the Bunreacht, which is CCE's own set of bylaws and guiding principles.

If you cannot come to the meeting, you are still welcome to vote on the bylaws. To do so. please send Maureen Maher an email, and state the following:

"I, [name], vote FOR/AGAINST [choose one] the special resolution of Oct 8th, 2014, to apply for a Certificate of Continuance under the Not-for-profit Corporations Act and enact the new bylaws."

These electronic votes will be counted and added to the tally of votes at the meeting.

Once again, the meeting details:

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 at 7pm

University of Ottawa, 70 Laurier Ave. (corner of Laurier and Waller) Arts Building, Room 509

Link to campus map, which shows parking areas:
http://www.protection.uottawa.ca/en/parking-map.html
Or consider taking public transit: the Laurier station on the Transitway is right by the Arts Building

And a reminder that memberships are now due -- payment accepted at the meeting or online here:
http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/membership-and-class-registration.php


Hope to see you on Wednesday,


Caitlin Crockard

Secretary, on behalf of the CCE Ottawa executive
................................
Caitlin Crockard
Secretary, Ottawa Branch
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
613-620-4351
ottawacomhaltas.com