Westport Comhaltas looking for old photographs

WESTPORT Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is looking for old photographs for a special exhibition that will go on public display during the 2023 Mayo Fleadh Cheoil.

The Mayo Fleadh is returning to Westport from May 10 to 14 this year for the first time in almost 20 years.

Over 600 competitors, their families, friends and hundreds of traditional music enthusiasts will descend on Westport for the week-long cultural celebration with workshops, recitals, competitions, concerts and loads of traditional music performances guaranteed.

As part of the celebrations, Westport Comhaltas would like to give recognition to those in the parish that preserved and promoted traditional Irish music, song and dance down through the years.

The local Comhaltas committee is looking for photographs of former traditional musicians, past members and committees, performers who took part in Fleadh Cheoil competitions and pictures of those stalwarts who passed the tradition from generation to generation.

“Westport Comhaltas has a long and distinguished history and it is very much part of the cultural tapestry of the region. It is a daunting task to collect and curate all these pictures but everyone agrees that those that kept our culture alive over the past sixty five years since the local Comhaltas branch was established in 1958 should be acknowledged for their contribution to our culture,” commented Westport Comhaltas chairperson Olivia Thornton.

Over the years, Westport Comhaltas has performed for numerous dignitaries and the local branch is hopeful that pictures of these milestone events are still in circulation.

Former President of Ireland Patrick Hillary and Prince Albert of Monaco are two such luminaries that enjoyed performances from Westport Comhaltas musicians.

Since 1981, the Westport Comhaltas branch has hosted the Mayo Fleadh Cheoil on four occasions, 1986, 1989, 2006 and 2007. They also hosted the Connacht Fleadh in 2008.

Thousands of visitors to Westport were also entertained at the weekly Ceol na Mart Cabaret over a 20-year period at Hotel Westport. Set dancing workshops commenced in 1986 and hundreds of set dancers have returned every year since for the annual set-dancing weekend in November.

“A picture paints a thousand words and we want to relive all those magical memories from years past. Hopefully the local community will be able to help us,” commented Olivia.

Anyone that has photographs from down the years can email them to westportcce@gmail.com.