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Newport branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, which has a strong tradition in music and song are all set for the, this weekend. In excess of 400 contestants will compete in the various competitions on Saturday with a further 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on Sunday.
 County Fleadh, Newport Mass in Irish will be celebrated on Sunday at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Newport at 12.00 noon.
In excess of 400 contestants will compete in various competitions on Saturday with an expected 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on the following day Sunday.
The weekend’s programme will begin with a music session at Birdhill this evening and continue right through until Sunday evening, when the final competitions come to an end in various venues in Newport. The official opening of this County Fleadh will take place in Lee’s Bar on Friday night and will be officially opened by Tadgh O’Maolcathaig, latter Chairman, of the Munster Council CCE.
Traditional composer Denis Carey of ‘An Turas’ and ‘Moving On’ fame and a native of Newport, is also launching a book of his compositions at this year’s event. Denis is well known, having been commissioned in the past to write new works for the GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, Limerick City Council, North Tipperary County Council, Shannon Heritage and Limerick Institute of Technology. Denis was also co-composer of the music for the soundtrack of the Canadian movie “The Divine Ryans” which featured the English Oscar nominee Pete Postlethwaite OBE, latter who died of pancreatic cancer on January 2nd 2011.
Also on Sunday competitions for 15-18 years and Senior Fleadh Competitions will be held in St Mary’s School, Newport starting at 2.00pm sharp, while Ceili and Set Dancing Competitions will also take place in the Community Hall, Newport from 2.00pm. The Tipperary Youth Ensemble will perform on the street beginning at 5.00pm, weather permitting.
Note: Admission to all events, other than the competitions, will be free and it is hoped that as many people as possible will come out and support this truly traditional event.
 ESB Electric Ireland 2011 Feis Ceoil Congratulations to the Ursuline Secondary School,Thurles, Co Tipperary on achieving 2nd place in the coveted ‘Alice Yoakley Quirk Cup ‘ at the ESB Electric Ireland 2011 Feis Ceoil.
The School was just narrowly pipped to the post by the Belvedere College Choir who took 1st place this year.
Feis Ceoil was set up in 1896, by the chief representatives of music activity in Ireland under the guidance of Dr. Annie Patterson, to counteract the neglect of music development in this country. Feis Ceoil Association strives to promote excellence in the learning and performance of music across all ages, levels and disciplines. They run an annual festival before Easter each year in Dublin, which comprises almost 200 competitions, attracting over 4,000 participants from all over the island of Ireland. They also run non-competitive events and concerts throughout the rest of the year.
Feis Ceoil occupies a unique position in Irish life. It is an essential element in the musical infrastructure of the country and has made an immeasurable contribution to the study and cultivation of music at all levels in Ireland.
The Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, has a long tradition of Music in the School and their Music Department has grown and developed over the years, to meet the individual needs of each student. Students have a wide range of instruments to choose from and because the standard of instrumental music is very high, they have recently invested in a Grand Piano.
Tuition is also available in the following instruments:
Strings:- Violin, Viola, Cello, Harp, Guitar and Double Bass.
Wind:- Oboe, Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone and Clarinet.
Percussion:– Timpani, Cymbals, Wood Block and Triangle.
Brass:– Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn and Tuba
To the students and teaching staff at the Ursuline School, go the towns heartiest congratulations and wishes for continued success.
 Jonathan Gleeson as Bill Snibson & Michelle O'Connell as Sally Smith in 'Me and My Girl,' Premier Hall, Thurles from Tuesday April 12th - 16th inc. (Photo G.Willoughby) This morning Thurles Musical Societies PRO and well known Tipperary Star reporter Mr Noel Dundon takes us ‘behind the curtain ‘ to report on the Societies latest production – the hit West End show ‘Me and My Girl.’
This wonderful toe tapping show, in conjunction with the Anner Hotel, runs in the Premier Hall, here in Thurles from Tuesday April 12th – 16th and marks the 60 anniversary of the Society’s first performance back in 1951 – The Yeomen of the Guard.
This is the first time that T.M.S. has embarked upon this musical, with book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose and music by Noel Gay.
The Musical ‘Scene ‘ is set in the late 1930’s in the locations of Hampshire, Mayfair, and Lambeth.
The musical had a most successful original run in the West End in 1937 and very successful revivals in both London and New York in the 1980s. The show stopper, “The Lambeth Walk,” was the subject of a news story in The Times of October 1938 with the headline: “While dictators rage and statesmen talk, all Europe dances — to The Lambeth Walk.”
Indeed, while the Lambeth Walk might well be the main musical number from this light, entertaining show, others are equally as well known and include – Leaning on a Lamppost, The Family Solicitor, The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Once You lose Your Heart and Love Makes the World Go Round, to mention just a few.
Thurles welcomes Tralee native and Rose of Tralee Festival Director, Mr Oliver Hurley as Director of this show – his first venture with T.M.S., although he has a wealth of experience with other musical theatre groups throughout Munster. Oliver is joined in production by pianist Mary Rose McNally as Musical Director, Mary Butler as Assistant to Director, and Trisha McElgunn who takes on the roll as the companies Dance Captain. Tommy Sweeney and Rita Loughnane complete the production team as Stage Manager and Stage Director, while Eidin Sweeney is Costume Mistress. Lighting will be by Gerry Taylor with Star Systems undertaking sound and video production.
The Tale Behind The Musical
It’s 1937 and the Earl of Hareford has died leaving no apparent heir. The family members have gathered, eagerly waiting to hear how the estate will be split. However the family solicitor, Parchester (Geraint Fyler), announces that he has tracked down an heir to both the family fortune and the family seat of Hareford Hall. The unlikely beneficiary is one Bill Snibson (Jonathan Gleeson), a barrow boy from Lambeth.
Maria, Duchess of Dene (Maria McElgunn), decides to turn Bill into a gentleman worthy of the Hareford name, despite the advice of Sir John Tremayne (Brendan Bailey) to simply pay him off. She also tries to get him to marry Lady Jaqueline (Cathy Keane), who is so eager for money and the title, that she breaks off her engagement to the Hon. Gerald Bolingbroke (John Butler). Despite Lady Jaqueline’s advances, Bill is determined to marry his sweetheart from Lambeth, Sally Smith (Michelle O’Connell).
Sally does not want to ruin Bill’s chances and tries to convince Bill that he is too good for her, despite loving him deeply. She even resorts to gatecrashing his party with a group of raucous Lambeth locals. However, everyone joins in and does The Lambeth Walk.
Despite having won over Sir John, Sally decides to leave Hareford and return to Lambeth. After drowning their sorrows, Bill and Sir John hatch separate plans to bring her back. Bill travels to Lambeth to find her but returns empty handed as Sir John has packed her off to a certain speech professor he knows!
The Duchess decides to throw another party but Bill is not in the mood. The Duchess begins to realise how much Sally means to him and, in a reflective mood, accepts Sir John’s proposal of marriage. Jaqueline also recognises her folly and returns to Gerald. With the party in full swing, Sally makes a second uninvited entrance and, displaying her new-found elegance, shows she is a suitable wife for an Earl.
Nothing like a happy ending to lift a little of the woes we are currently going through. Other notable parts are Lord and Lady Battersby ( Pat Hayes and Breda Byrne), Bob Barkin (Finbarr Shelly), Major Domo (Barry Cagney), Constable (Gary Dempsey), Maids (Katie Lawless and Joan Farrell), Charles (Barry Derby) and Lord Jasper (Brian Gleeson).
The opening night of the show is being run as a Charity Night in conjunction with Thurles Lions Club, with the proceeds going towards the Club’s 2011 nominated charity, namely the Order of Malta Building Fund.
Tickets for this special show cost €20 and include a cheese and wine reception along with a number of other surprises.
For the remaining nights, tickets cost just €15 and €12 for adults in the balcony and downstairs; and €10 and €8 concessions for children.
Other concessions are also available by contacting:
Booking Office in Hickey’s Pharmacy in Liberty Square, Thurles, Tel: 0504- 21423. Get in there and book now folks, to be sure of a guaranteed seat and a most enjoyable night out.
Note Your Calender: Show runs Premier Hall, Thurles from Tuesday April 12th – 16th inc.
Thurles.Info, on behalf of Co Tipperary residents everywhere, would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Thurles Musical Society for not just giving us 60 wonderful years of top quality entertainment, but also for their huge achievements in fostering the love of music and stage craft, down through the years here in the Cathedral Town.
Happy Birthday ‘Thurles Musical Society’ and here’s to 60 more successful and enjoyable years .
 National Chamber Choir of Ireland Hot on the heels of their performances at the White House for last St Patrick’s Day, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland now head for Andrew Lloyd Webber country, to Fethard, Co Tipperary, performing ‘Tristes Tropes ‘ with Artistic Director Paul Hillier at the helm.
‘Tristes Tropes ‘ is a interesting programme of repertoire, beginning from the 15th century, covering right up to the present day, including works by Dufay, Josquin and Senfl alongside the music of Kurt Weill, Andriessen and Gorecki.
In addition, the National Chamber Choir will also perform the European premiere of Credo-Ani-Ma’amin by Israeli-American composer Shulamit Ran as part of this programme.
The Abymill Theatre Seats 150 people, providing a venue not only for plays and musicals but also a film club, folk club, school plays and shows, variety shows, classical musical ensembles, large meetings and lectures.
The Choir looks forward to performing in Fethard for the very first time on Friday April 8th next at 8.00pm here in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, Co Tipperary.
Tickets: Cost just €15/€13 (conc) for this premier event.
Bookings: Contact Tel No’s: 052-6131254 or 087-1604260.
Location: Beside the Augustinian Abbey and previously known as Coffey’s Mill.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).
The word ‘Grace‘ is often defined by using the five letters contained in the actual word, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense,” however someone also defined ‘Grace’ as, “Everything for nothing to those of us who don’t deserve anything.”
Bono, lead singer of the band U2 once said in an interview, “The most powerful idea that’s entered this world in the last few thousand years, is the idea of Grace and it’s the reason I would like to be a Christian.”
A new band from the borders of Tipperary and Kilkenny, ‘Cephas,’ will launch their new single, entitled ‘Amazing Grace‘ on Sunday April 3rd, (2011) next, at 7.00pm, in St.Fiachra’s Church, Kilkenny City.
The much loved hymn ‘Amazing Grace‘ was written by English poet and clergyman John Henry Newton, published in 1779 with the message that forgiveness and redemption are possible, regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God.
Newton, himself a sailor, wrote these words from personal experience. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. His career in slave trading lasted a few years more, until he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.
A special thanks to Roseland Studios, Moate, Co. Westmeath, and the band, for allowing us to capture some live video footage for you, our readers, taken during their recording of this, their newest single.
I suppose to call ‘Cephas ‘ a new band, is rather misleading, as for those of us pushing the wrong side of forty will remember them with great pleasure, as the successful touring eighties rock band “Sweet Freedom,” who were runners up in RTE’s National Talent competition.
The six performing members of the band, Eddie, John Joe, Marian, Seamus, Noreen and Patricia, all members of the Cullinane family, came out of retirement just prior to Christmas 2008, to form ‘Cephas’ and raised some €6,000 for the Boys Town Orphanage, near Lviv in the Ukraine, recording their first successful album “Faith and Family.”
Thurles.Info is proud to announce, yes folks they’re back again, with their new amazing single ‘Amazing Grace,’ proceeds of the sale of which will go to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
Speaking to the band members they explained their reasons behind the Album “Faith and Family.” They explained, “There are children who do not know such a childhood as ours, nor family comfort, nor a parents caress. They are compelled to bear hunger, cold and the disdain of others. We can only guess how they suffer when they look at their friends playing, walking with their parents or going to school well dressed. Presently 18 children live in this “Boys Town” in the village of Bortnyky near Lviv, Ukraine. Some were found in the streets, where they were alone and begging. These children’s whose ages range from 7-16 years needed financial assistance. We were happy to pool our limited talent and our love of music to offer some little assistance.”
To quote the late Martin Luther King, a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” So if you like the ‘Cephas ‘ rendition of Amazing Grace, why not contact Noreen, Mobile: 087-6729242 or Email noreencullinane@gmail.com for details of how to get your copy.
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