Morrison Memorial
Riverstown Branch of Comhaltas was founded in November 1978. The founding members were Paddy Mc Donagh, Sean Mc Goldrick, Paddy Kerins, Zita Deignan, John Kelly, James O’Connor and Padraig Kerins. The branch hosted Sligo County Fleadh on six occasions – 1983, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2013 & 2014.
The branch has become synonymous with the music of the late great fiddle player, James Morrison, who was born at Drumfin in 1893. He emigrated to America in 1915 and became famous with his band which played in the dance halls of New York. He also taught music and like his contemporary, Michael Coleman, composed and recorded music. He became known as ‘The Professor’.
The music of Morrison was greatly appreciated in the Riverstown area particularly by fiddle player, Paddy Mc Donagh. Paddy is the present Honorary President of our branch. The branch honoured the centenary of Morrison’s birth by holding the first James Morrison Traditional Music Festival in 1993. It has continued as an annual festival since. In 1993 the Milestone Memorial was erected at Drumfin in honour of James Morrison at the side of the N4 road near where his former home stood.
In 2008, the branch collected funds to erect a monument to the musicians of the Castlebaldwin and surrounding area. 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 Ceoil is now built on this site with funding coming from the Comhaltas development fund, from the Cross Border Peace 2 initiative, from Sligo County Council and from Sligo Leader Partnership. Classes in traditional music and dance are held in the Teach Ceoil and it is used on five nights every week.
Branch officers
Chairman: Padraig Kerins
Vice-Chairman: Martin Kelly
Secretary: Sean Lyons
PRO: Patricia McCormack
Assistant Secretary: Kathleen Lyons
Treasurer: Ann Mulligan
Co-ordinator: Martin Enright
Treoraí na Gaeilge: Louise King
Delegates to Sligo County Board: Ann Mulligan and Kathleen Lyons