#10 Ards CCÉ

Ards CCÉ - or the Ards Comhaltas, as it is known, is a County Down branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It is a volunteer organisation that promotes Irish music, song and dance. Ards CCÉ was formed 50 years ago in 1976 so this year is an important milestone. It is run by a group of very dedicated people, led by Niall and Bronagh McClean.

I first heard about the Ards Comhaltas about 5 years ago and I wanted to join. However, this was during Covid and music practice was online. I found this really hard as I couldn't play with other musicians. They really caught my attention again at last year's Scór competition. Ards Comhaltas always produce great musicians but the 12-15 year group last year was fantastic. They were my age and I wondered if I could be part of an amazing group like that. I was very grateful to be able to join. Ards Comhaltas are very supportive of all their members and they have given me lots of opportunities to play and get involved. I am now part of a 12-15 year old music group too. The Ards Comhaltas has become so popular that they have enough members to form two 12-15 year music groups. I'm in the Calvert Group and the other is called the Crilly Group. Ards Comhaltas have entered both groups into this year's Fleadh competitions.

I have always liked classical music best and I know I have a long way to go to catch up with the trad musicians. As always, my harp teacher Richard was there to help and encourage me. There are little techniques that are unique to trad harp playing and I am gradually getting more familiar with these.

In addition to all they do with their music, Ards CCÉ have succeeded in bringing the All-Ireland Fleadh to Belfast for the first time ever. This will happen at the start of August. It is a fantastic achievement and it will be an amazing event for the City. The Fleadh or Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as it is known, is the world's largest annual festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. There are competitions, where musicians and singers compete for All-Ireland titles and there will be live music all over the City. There is a great buzz at Ards Comhaltas about it. Niall, Bronagh and their team are extremely busy with it. There are media interviews to do and lots of organising. Recently, many Ards Comhaltas members, including me, took part in filming a promotional video for the Fleadh. It was great fun. Musicians were filmed at different locations around Belfast. It was really interesting watching the cameramen and the extras and seeing how these videos are put together. That's me in the photo below with a cameraman who was recording video outside St Anne's Cathedral. It was raining at the time and the cameraman used a plastic bag to keep his camera dry!

Ards CCÉ are very much part of the wider community too. They often take part in local fund raising events. Niall and Bronagh are also involved with trad groups in local schools. It really is a wonderful group.

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