The trio in question are made up of three legendary musicians – Eileen O’Brien on fiddle (whose father Paddy O’Brien was the composer of a body of classic trad tunes), Andrew MacNamara on accordion, and Dr Geraldine Cotter on piano and whistle. This album unites two stylistically contrasting musical traditions…
Silver Threads – Yvonne Bolton & Alan Jordan – Album Review
A graduate of Spink Comhaltas as well as a former teacher, Yvonne Bolton is from a musical family in Kileshin, on the Laois/Carlow border. A multi-instrumentalist, she is primarily known as a concertina player. Her debut album in collaboration with Alan Jordan on guitar and vocals, features original compositions by…
Carolan’s Receipt – Derek Bell – Album Review
Turlough O’Carolan is synonymous with the harp, and for many people, Derek Bell is too. This solo album features 15 tracks of O’Carolan. Derek Bell had a classical music background as well as traditional Irish and joined a ‘tatty folk group’ that went on to international renown as ‘The Chieftains’….
The Sunny Banks – Edel Fox & Neill Byrne – Album Review
Voted ‘Tradconnect Album of the Year’ in 2013, Edel Fox is regarded as an outstanding concertina player and teacher. Originally from Co Clare, she is now based in Waterford, and is a regular performer at Consairtín each year. The album is named after one of the reels in the closing…
Spink awarded grant from Laois Co Co under LCDC Community Enhancement Programme
Spink Comhaltas is very appreciative to be awarded a grant from Laois Co Council under the LCDC Community Enhancement Programme as part of our recent grant application. This grant of €1,000 will be invested directly in purchasing additional music instruments for our music instrument bank. The music instrument bank in…
Spink Comhaltas launches SoundCloud
To complement the wider music learning resources, Spink Comhaltas has launched a SoundCloud service for all of its members and followers. The existing Traditional Irish Music books which Spink Comhaltas developed 4 years ago comprise 2 separate volumes of music, with over 170 tunes. These music books have been put…
Stella Lynch Award 2020
Congratulations to Niamh Nolan who has been presented with the ‘Stella Lynch’ award for 2020 for outstanding contributions as an under-age member of Spink Comhaltas. In 2015, Spink branch was presented with a perpetual trophy by Michael Lynch in memory of his late wife Stella. The ‘Stella Lynch’ trophy is…
TTCT Qualifications for Spink Teacher
Congratulations to David Vesey who successfully completed the TTCT Teacher Training Course from Comhaltas. David is part of the music teacher staff at Spink Comhaltas. David is a former junior member of Spink Comhaltas and is now in his final year completing a B.Mus. degree in CIT Cork School of…
Spink Ceoltóir Awards 2020
#SpinkCeoltóirMedal In 2017, to recognise their commitment to Spink over a number of years, and to leave them with a momento of their time with Spink, Spink Comhaltas commissioned a special commemorative medal, the “Spink Ceoltóir” (Spink Musician) medal to present to junior members who turn 18. We hope that…
Registration for Music Classes 2020/21
Registration for Traditional Irish Music classes is now open, with classes commencing Friday 11 Sept for junior classes and Monday 21 Sept for Adult Classes. In light of the continuing restrictions of Covid-19, all of our classes will be delivered as online classes until further notice. Spink Comhaltas is fully…