Spink Comhaltas

Information

FAQ

We register for new members at the start of September each year.
If you are interested, then contact us via this website, and we will put you on a waiting list. Our registration window remains open usually until end October of each year.
Yes, but we strongly encourage complete beginners to join at the start of the year.  It is difficult for a complete beginner to join mid-year since they will be playing ‘catch up’.  It is easier for an experienced musician to join mid-year.
The instruments we teach in our classes are Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Button Accordion, Concertina, Banjo, Mandolin. Click here for more information on our music classes
We can refer you to expert teachers for harp, uileann pipes, bodhran, cello, piano and drums, and then if you are playing these instruments our teachers will help you to join into the Grupai Cheoil or Ceili Band as appropriate.
Yes.  We have an instrument bank where our members can rent out an instrument to try it out before making a final decision.  If you know the type of instrument but are not sure what supplier, we can advise.
Our junior classes (age 7 up to 18) take place on Friday nights in Knock Community Hall, Spink.
Our adult classes take place on Monday nights in Heritage House, Abbeyleix.
For our 2017/18 season, classes are € 6 per child per night for one instrument.  Fees are payable up front at the start of each term (typically about 10 weeks).
We are a not for profit organisation so we do our best to keep music class fees as low as possible.
Yes.

We encourage and prepare our musicians to take part in Group and Individual competitions in Fleadh Cheoil (music festivals) at County, Provincial and All Ireland level.  We have had great success in competitions, but our view is that music should be played for fun and the love and enjoyment of it first, and for competitions secondly.

Yes.

We encourage and prepare our musicians for the Comhaltas SCT examinations.  See the SCT section of this web site for more detail.

Yes.

We are a community organisation.  It is very important to us to support our neighbours where possible, and it is a great opportunity for our musicians to develop their performance skills playing for the public.