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Conor O'Connell |
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Conor O’Connell, Kilcolman, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, who has been chosen as one of the monthly winners for the month of November in the Boyne Valley Honey Book of Kells National Art Competition. His prize was a framed print from the Book of Kells. Conor is a pupil of St. Attracta’s National School, Ballaghaderreen. Conor will now be shortlisted for consideration as an overall prize winner
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New Recording Studio Open in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon |
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In exciting news for Ballaghaderreen, Youth Work Ireland and Michael Cafferkey have teamed up to provide the town’s first professional Music Recording Studio, e=mcstudios. The studio, located in the Youth Centre in St Mary’s Hall Cathedral Street, is designed to offer Ballaghaderreen’s young musicians an opportunity to have their music recorded to an excellent standard ready for release. The studio may also be hired by anyone else at the low cost of €99 - €135 per day, and this is hoped to provide vital revenue for the continued development of the centre and the services it can provide.
e=mcstudios consists of two fully acoustically treated rooms, meaning that your music can be captured and reproduced as faithfully as possible. The studio uses industry standard Pro Tools software and hardware which supports 48 track recording and can record 18 inputs simultaneously. There are a large collection of microphones on offer to meet any recording need and 4 independent headphone mixes means you’ll always be able hear exactly what you’re playing. The studio can also offer location recording where recording in the studio is not feasible. This could include the recording of choirs or piano recitals, the recording of a live performance of a band or recordings of interviews or speeches.
While not recording, clients can make use of the handball or badminton courts as well as the air hockey and pool tables.
Michael Cafferkey is a local sound engineer who has completed a sound engineering course in the Poppyhill School of Recording, has a Higher National Diploma in Music Performance and Production from Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork and is currently undertaking courses in Music Production, Sound Engineering and Professional Mixing Techniques. Michael has extensive experience with both Studio and Live Sound Engineering and will do his utmost to provide a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for you during the recording process.
e=mcstudios is available for bookings immediately, and you can contact the studio by phone at (086) 1672039 or by email at equalsmcstudios@gmail.com.
The studio’s website will soon be up and running and can be found at www.eequalsmcstudios.com
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Abbeyfield Hotel Conference & Leisure Centre |
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Few
developments in Ballaghaderreen were greeted with as much
public enthusiasm as the new Abbeyfield Hotel Conference and Leisure Centre which opened in April 2008
.
For
many years, the town, an important market town with a large
hinterland in counties Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo was without
a hotel, meaning that the town lost out in business terms.
Now, all that is to be put right, with the creation of a state-of-the-art
four-star hotel designed by Architects ‘Turner Designs
Roscommon’ and ‘Westcon Engineering’
Oranmore , Galway ,incorporating a contemporary design with
all the facilities of an ultra modern hotel, while retaining
a traditional atmosphere and timeless elegance.
The
new hotel is built in an historic area of the town, on the
site of an old Abbey which also formed part of the Bishop’s Palace in Ballaghaderreen
for over 100 years.
The
hotel is developed on an extensive 5.25 acre site
and over 2,000 shrubs and trees are planted as part of its
landscaping plan, and these complement the mature trees
which already surround the site.
Until
now, local weddings have had to take place in a distant location,
but the Abbeyfield Hotel Conference & Leisure Centre
provides the perfect backdrop for Roscommon nuptuals and as
the hotel hosts one wedding party each day, they
promise to give full attention to providing wedding guests
with the perfect day.
The
Abbeyfield Hotel is built to 4 star specifications, offering
70 luxurious bedrooms, comprising of 40 bedrooms in the main
hotel and an additional 30 contemporary executive and family
suites, each with their own living areas. As well as
the unrivalled Gray Suite, state of the art conference facilities,
a superb leisure and Wellness Centre and of course a top class
restaurant, Oscars Restaurant.
Guest
rooms in the hotel feature as standard plasma screen
with interactive TV, free wifi access, club executive class beds, tea and coffee
hospitality tray, iron and ironing board and hairdryer. Most rooms include individually
controlled air conditioning.
Elegant
banqueting suites cater for every event from an intimate
dinner to a large gala ball. The hotel has flexible conference facilities for 300 delegates and
can also facilitate smaller groups of 35-40 people and 15-20
people in its well-appointed meeting rooms.
The leisure centre features a 15-metre pool on the ground
floor. Guests and members can also look forward to a sauna,
steam room and spa bath. Upstairs features include air conditioned
gym with state-of-the-art equipment, an aerobic and exercise
studio and treatment rooms.
The developer of the new hotel project is local man
Martin Carty. Martin has been in the construction business in the Ballaghaderreen area for
30 years, having completed a number of housing developments, but this is by far the most prestigious
project undertaken to date.
The hotel was developed by Archhill Properties
Ltd and the contractors to the new hotel is Carty Building (Ballaghaderreen) LTD, of which Martin is Managing
Director of both. The new hotel employs 75 people.
The hotel is located on the main entrance to Ballaghaderreen
from the planned new by-pass of the town, ensuring ease of access to both the
town and the N5 for residents and guests.
For further information telephone (094) 98 62736, fax
(094) 98 62738, email info@abbeyfieldhotel.ie or visit www.abbeyfieldhotel.ie.
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 Ballaghaderreen
Community Park |
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Great
progress has been made at Ballaghaderreen Community Park in
2006 with the 130m x 100m playing area now completed, and
the training/jogging track and fence due to be finished shortly.
The main contractor is ‘Emerald Pitch Services’
of Edenderry, Co. Offaly. Work began in late June and
progressed at a great pace during the beautiful summer weather.
Topsoil was removed and stored; the field laser levelled;
the soil replaced and mixed with Wexford sand; then the drainage
work carried out. The field was seeded in September
and is now sporting a lovely green carpet of grass.
The playing area should be ready for use in late summer 2007.
Early in 2006 the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism,
Mr. John O’Donoghue TD, officially launched the project
and turned the first sod, while Rev Dr Thomas Flynn blessed
the park and all who work and use it for recreation in the
future. St. Attracta’s School Band entertained
the attendants, which included local politicians, members
of the media, children, teachers and many other locals.
By this summer the field and track will be ready for use.
A very successful fundraising draw last spring raised a profit
of €50,000, while the company were successful in obtaining
an amenity grant of €4,000 from Roscommon County Council
in 2006. Almost all of this money has been spent to
meet the local contribution needed to supplement the €120,000
received from the Sports Capital Programme and €24,000
of Clar Funding. When this phase of the project is complete
it will have cost in the region of €200,000.
The committee are now concentrating on the provision of changing
facilities in a new Clubhouse, which it is hoped will be built
this year. A Walking Lane around the field is also planned,
while an Astroturf Pitch will complete the development.
The committee are hopeful they will be successful for another
grant under the 2007 Sports Capital Programme towards the
cost of the Clubhouse. Again however a local contribution
of 20% will be necessary to meet any allocation. The
committee have launched a ‘Sponsor a Block’ campaign,
whereby people interested in contributing to the building
costs of the Clubhouse may sponsor a block, or more than one
block, for €50 each. A receipt will be issued and
the sponsor’s name will be displayed in the Clubhouse
for future generations to see. The committee are appealing
for support for their fundraising campaign so that the dream
of a top-class sports and recreation facility for everyone
will become a reality. They would especially love to
receive any donations from Ballaghaderreen people living abroad
who would like to be associated with this project in their
native area and have that help recognised through the displaying
of all the sponsors names.
Those wishing to help may credit the account of Ballaghaderreen
Community Park at AIB, Main Street, Ballaghaderreen:
A/c No:
61348165
Sort Code:
93-25-58
The committee would like to thank
all who have contributed in any way to this project, and are
hoping for your continued support.
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Dr.
Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music
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The 14th Annual Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music, which takes place on the first week of July each year, was a great success in 2009, bringing many visitors to the area.
The Summer School commenced with the Opening of the Art Exhibition by Fr. Andrew Finan, who gave a very thought-provoking and enlightening talk on Impressionist Painters, on Friday evening July 3rd and was followed by a reception. This was well attended and had been visited by over 500 people when it closed on Sunday July 12th. Mr. Dara Calleary, Minister of State at The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment performed the Official Opening of the Summer School on Saturday July 4th followed by the very best of Traditional Irish Music and Song by Paul Smyth, Jed Foley and Lena Ullman in concert. Mass in Irish was celebrated by Bishop Brendan Kelly on Sunday morning in St Nathy’s Cathedral.
This year’s Summer School attracted over 400 Participants and many more visitors to Ballaghaderreen. Students were drawn from many parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This year saw an increase in our international visitors with participants from England, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, USA and Australia.
Tuition was provide in Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Bodhrán, Banjo, Concertina, Piano Accordion, Traditional Guitar, Button Accordion and Harp, Comhrá Gaeilge, Traditional Singing and Sean Nós Singing. Master Classes in Tin Whistle were given by Carmel Gunning, Bodhrán, which was given by Johnny McDonagh (Ringo) and Fiddle taught by Brendan Larrissey were again very popular this year. A special Tin Whistle Class of one hour duration per day for 5 to 7 year old beginners attracted 13 children.
There were two concerts during the week. The Tuesday night Seosamh MacGabhann Memorial Concert, which was held in the new Abbeyfield Hotel, featured all 21 Summer School Tutors and visiting musicians, many close friends of Seosamh MacGabhann. This concert was an outstanding success in terms of quality of music and enjoyment. Seosamh MacGabhann was a founder member of the Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School. The event was recorded for Shannonside Radio on the night by Paddy Ryan. St. Nathy’s College Hall was full to capacity on Friday afternoon for the Summer School Tutors and Students Concert with people travelling from all over Ireland for what was a thoroughly enjoyable event.
Monday afternoons’ visit to The Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre proved very popular for the very informative lecture delivered by Irish Times Journalist and Ballaghaderreen native, Patsy McGarry, entitled “Roscommon and The Irish Presidency”. Following this Patsy laid a Wreath at the grave of Dr. Hyde who died 60 years ago in 1949.
The Tour of Coleman Country, which was conducted by Paddy Ryan, well known musician and broadcaster, was again a firm favourite this year. The tour took visitors to Coleman sites in South Sligo including Michael Coleman’s Cottage, to Kilavil, the Fred Finn monument and back to the Coleman Centre in Gurteen, which has a very informative new Exhibition Area of Music Archives and instruments as well as an Audio Visual Music research facility. The Seosamh MacGabhann Tour of the music and heritage sites of Kilmovee and Urlar was conducted by well known Flute musician and son of Seosamh MacGabhann, Paul Smyth. This tour finished with a Cuppa and a few tunes in the old kitchen of the Cois Tine Heritage Centre. The tours have proved to be a major attraction and addition to the Summer School, attracting visitors to the town who are here to enjoy the music and do not wish to partake in the workshops. In addition to the talks and information on the various musicians, styles of music and history of the area they also showcase the natural beauty of the countryside surrounding Ballaghaderreen.
We had recitals in the BMW Assembly Room from 9pm to 10pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These were attended by approx 100 people each evening. The quality of the accommodation and the acoustics in this venue enables the audiences to appreciate the quality of Irish music when played by leading exponents. Spells Venue featured traditional music all day and almost all night. Excellent Seisiúin also took place in Durkin’s, Solans and Clarke’s. The Busking Competition attracted 10 Acts onto the streets on Thursday evening with the Hanily/O’Maicín family from Roscommon and Balla taking the first prize. Prizes were presented in Durkin’s followed by a lively Seisún.
The Summer School is a major boost to the local economy. The Hotels, B&B’s, furnished accommodation and campsite were busy, not just in Ballaghaderreen but also in its hinterland. The retail businesses were busy and there was an overall feel-good factor in the town. The School is very family friendly from a financial, music and social perspective and this was appreciated by parents who accompanied their children. The quality of our teachers, concerts, recitals, lectures, the organisation of all aspects of the School and care given to all our students and customers is the hallmark of our School and the main reasons we are growing, especially in the family and overseas market.
This year’s Summer School was supported financially by The Western Development Commission, The Arts Council of Ireland and Roscommon County Council. Sponsorship was received from Abbeyfield Hotel, AIB Bank, Cunniffes Butchers, Ballaghaderreen & District Credit Union, Nestor & Co., Accountants, Conor & Peggy McGreevy, James Kilcoyne Auctioneers, Duffy’s Supervalu, Michael J. Roddy Painters & Decorators, Kelly TV, John Moynihan, First Class Office, Thompson Butler Steel, Imelda Towey’s Grocery, Clarke’s Bar, Durkin’s Bar & Accommodation, Solan’s Bar, Spell’s Bar, McHugh’s Wholesale, Ros Office Supplies, Ballaghaderreen Secretarial Services and Declan O’Callaghan, Solicitor. This is greatly appreciated and without this the Summer School could not take place.
Special thanks to Comhaltas for their support and to Rev. Dr. Martin Convey, President of St. Nathy’s College, The Abbeyfield Hotel, the BMW Regional Assembly, the Durkin family and John & Bernie Duffy for the use of their premises.
Plans for the 15th Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School are at an advanced stage with new attractions to suit all music lovers.
Visit www.douglashyde.com to view our Gallery of Photos from the 14th Summer School and to keep informed of the 15th, or email us at ssch@douglashyde.com
The style of music played in Ballaghaderreen fits into what
is generally known as the "South Sligo style" and
all of the excellent tutors who are engaged for the week use
this style. Tutors include Michael Hurley, Marion Egan, Mary
Murray, Sacra Furey, Michael McNamara, Paul Smyth, Brendan Larrissey,
Paddy Ryan, John McHugh, Bernie Geraghty, Junior Davey, Gráinne
Hambly, Tommy Doherty, John Regan, Charles O'Connor, Jarlath
Brennan, Shane Mulchrone, Seamie O'Dowd. Mairéad Ní
Fhlatharta teaches Sean Nós Singing. The programme
includes very interesting lectures. Students who come to Ballaghaderreen are not only tutored by
the best musicians available but at night they are all very
welcome to refine their skills in the Seisiúns which
take place around the town. The welcome and encouragement which
is given to all young musicians at the Seisiúns in Ballaghaderreen
is what distinguishes Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School from some
other summer schools and contributes to its success. One of
the many highlights of the week will be the Gala Summer School
Concert. There is also a visit to the Dr.
Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre and Burial Place of Ireland's
first President where Curator, Ms Deirdre O'Gara, will give
a presentation.
The
enquiries this year, not only from all over Europe but much
further afield, have been more numerous than in previous years
and the number of firm bookings from outside Ireland is greater
than ever. The Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School is not only
a cultural event but each year is becoming more important
on the Irish tourist calendar.
Ballaghaderreen and Districts Development wish to thank the
Rev. Dr. Martin Convey, President of St. Nathy's College for giving
the use of the College again this year to stage the Summer
School. St. Nathy's is by far the best venue for a music summer
school in Ireland, and our students from overseas are always
most impressed by the facilities. B&DD also wish to thank
all our sponsors and patrons without whom this School would
not have developed and we trust that in coming years they
will reap financial rewards for the support they have given
to this venture.
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