Riverstown CCÉ Branch

Riverstown CCÉ Branch of Comhaltas was founded in November 1978. The founding members were PaddyMcDonagh, Sean Mc Goldrick, Paddy Kerins, Padraig Kerins, Zita Deignan, John Kelly and James O’Connor. The branch has hosted the Sligo County Fleadh on ten occasions – 1983, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022.

The Branch has become synonymous with the music of the late great fiddle player, James Morrison who was born in Drumfin in 1893. He emigrated to America in 1915 and became famous with his band which played in the dance halls of Manhattan. He also taught music and like his contemporary, Michael Coleman, composed and recorded music. The music of Morrison was greatly appreciated in the Riverstown area particularly by local fiddle player Paddy Mc Donagh. The branch honoured the centenary of Morrisons birth by holding the first James Morrison Traditional Music Festival in 1993. It has continued as an annual festival sincethen and in 1993, a Milestone Memorial was erected at Drumfin at the side of the N4 in honour of James Morrison. In 2008, the branch collected funds to commemorate the musicians of the Castlebaldwin area and this monument was erected on the green area in the village.

In 2006, Sligo County Council generously donated a site in Riverstown to the branch. The Morrison Teach Cheoil is now built on this site with funding coming from the Comhaltas development fund, Cross Border Peace II initiative, Sligo County Council and Sligo Leader Partnership. In May 2018, the Riverstown CCÉ committee began an extension and renovation to the Morrison cottage by adding on another room. The extension has a huge significance for the community and we now have space to host multiple classes and events.

The Teach Ceoil is used six nights in the week and weekly classes include Flute, Fiddle, Banjo, Tin Whistle, Accordion, Sean Nós Dancing as well as Karate, Zumba and Pilates.

The James Morrison Festival takes place every year on the August Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 4th – Monday 7thAugust, 2023). Riverstown (Irish: Baile Idir dhá Abhainn –between two rivers) is a tranquil rural retreat nine miles from Sligo town and is noted for the relaxed and welcoming village atmosphere evident at the festival. The festival focuses on the traditional experience and features pub sessions, music and art workshops, a symposium, outdoor céilís, and a superb concert.

The Teach Ceoil hosts monthly Irish Traditional Music Concerts. Riverstown CCÉ has had a very successful year, recovering from over 2 years of a pandemic whilst still keeping Irish Traditional music, singing and dancing in the community alive and thriving. We would also like to take this opportunity to send a big thank you to Riverstown CCÉ Chairperson Padraig Kerins for the tremendous work he does, not only the branch but for everyone around him.

Lastly, all of us at Riverstown CCÉ would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful teachers who teach in the Teach Ceoil.

Branch Officers:

Chairperson Padraig Kerins

Secretary Anne Ruane

Treasurer Tadhg Mulvey

PRO Eiméar Mulvey

Youth Officer Chloe McCann

Treorai na Gaeilge Louise Bn Mhic an Rí.

Delegates to the County Board Myra McMorrow & Margaret Kilfeather