The Drogheda branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have qualified to represent Leinster in the All Ireland finals of the Scoraíocht competition in Cashel, Co. Tipperary on January 25th.
Scoraíocht is a dramatic stage production inspired by local themes and incorporating Irish traditional music, song and dance.
Performing ‘Oliver Plans a Party’ scripted by branch member Daithí Kearney, a lecturer at Dundalk Institute of Technology, the group incorporated repertoire based on research into tunes associated with Drogheda found in older collections.
Inspired by plans to commemorate the 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett in 2025, the production centred on the characters of St Oliver, St Patrick and St Brigid.
Advertisement - continue reading below
The 40-strong performing group involved members ranging in age from under 12 to over 60 and all enjoyed developing the show, which included special appearances from branch chairperson Lolo Robinson.
Local science teacher Kevin Towell, who recently joined the branch to learn banjo, took on the role of St Oliver, Ardee-based primary school teacher Eimear Nic Uidhir performed the role of St Brigid, while the inimitable Michael Grogan was St Patrick.
Drogheda Comhaltas gather weekly in St Oliver’s Community College, where they have classes in a range of instruments, as well as teenage and adult groups. They were joined by dancers from the Robinson School of Dancing, who attend classes in Drogheda and Dunleer.
For more information contact Lolo on 0872491185.