For those who attended the Celtic celebration of music, signing and dance in Corduff Raferagh Community Centre on Tuesday last, they were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable evening of entertainment. French musicians from Carhaix in Brittany, along with members of Carrickmacross Comhaltas and members of the Corduff Raferagh Céilí Club and the Corduff Pipe Band put on a wonderful display of the similarities and variances between Irish music and dancing and that of Brittany in France. The Pipe Band opened proceedings, followed by alternating Irish and French tunes by a large group of musicians. Both the Carhaix and local musicians picking up new tunes as they collaborated over the previous number of days at the annual Féile Patrick Byrne. Bernie McMahon and Edel Hand sang a beautiful Irish / English version of ‘Sé mo laoch’.
Corduff Raferagh Céilí Club members led by Rosaleen Russell took to the floor, joined by a number of the French contingent whom Rosaleen had tutored earlier in the day at an event in Inver College. Later, members of the Carhaix group, displayed various dances from their region, dancing in a rotating circle around two or three different musicians. A Set dance was performed by the local group who practice every Monday evening in the Community centre, on Tuesday night they also got input from the audience.
This was the final event for the French group and the wrap up of Féile Patrick Byrne 2025 and it looks like a very enjoyable and successful six days were had by all involved.
Congratulations to Carrickmacross Comhaltas on organising this annual event which showcases the best of local, national and international traditional music, dancing and singing.
