BALLYDUFF MUSICIANS AND DANCERS VISIT TO GLENS OF ANTRIM
24TH – 26TH OCTOBER 2008

On the week-end of 24th-26th October 2008, 40 musicians and dancers arrived at Kilmore House in Glenariff for the second part of an exchange visit between Ballyduff Comhaltas and Glens of Antrim Comhaltas which was part funded by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland through Turas the Journey Programme.

Kilmore House which is situated in the middle of Glenariff Glen was to be their base for the week-end. On arrival on Friday evening at Kilmore, dinner was served by members of the local committee and then locals and visitors were treated to an evening of music and dancing which went on into the wee small hours.

On Saturday workshops kicked off at 11.00 am in both music and set dancing (adults) with lunch being provided at 1.00 pm. At 2.00 pm there was a dance workshop for children in the Community Centre in Cushendall.

Saturday evening saw everyone gather in the Boat Club in Cushendall where the visiting and local musicians were able to showcase some of the tunes they had learned earlier in the day. This was followed by a ceili.

Sunday was free for the visitors to take in some of the beautiful scenery along the Antrim Coast before meeting up in the evening in the Golf Club Cushendall where both Comhaltas Groups entertained a packed hall with their traditional music, song and dance talents.

The bus departed from Kilmore about 10.00 am on Monday morning for their long journey back to Ballyduff in County Waterford.

Tom Hyland (Chairman of Ballyduff Comhaltas) said of his stay in the Glens of Antrim “a very enjoyable week-end with excellent accommodation and hospitality. We made many new friends and hopefully the contact between the two areas can continue in the years to come, especially through our young musicians and dancers.”

The thanks and gratitude of both Comhaltas Branches was made to the Arts Council for their generous funding of the project which would not have been possible without their assistance.

Margaret Graham
Secretary