If reports of last month’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann stirred your interest in learning traditional Irish music, look no further than Leithinis Donabate Portrane CCÉ, your local branch of Comhaltas Ceotóirí Éireann. We are a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. We offer lessons in Fiddle, Bodhran, Accordion, Concertina, Tin Whistle, Flute, Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar (accompaniment), from beginner to advanced level for adults and children (from 5 years old). Our teachers have extensive experience and our lessons are relaxed and informal. Classes are held in the Educate Together School on Monday evenings.
In mid-September, we will be opening registration for newcomers for the next semester of classes in traditional Irish music, running from October to January. Our classes are excellent value at €120 for 12 classes, plus €20 for annual family membership. We have a rental scheme for some instruments. In addition to lessons, we also run Groupaí Cheoil sessions on Friday evenings twice a month in the recently refurbished Parish Hall, where the newly installed acoustic panels, as seen suspended from the ceiling in the photos, have greatly enhanced the sound especially for playing music. These sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for our members to practice together the tunes they have learned at the lessons. When weather permits, we run a Gig in the Gazebo in the grounds of the Parish Hall. Leithinis Donabate Portrane CCÉ was delighted to receive a Mayor’s Award for 2022 from the outgoing Mayor of Fingal, Seána Ó Rodaigh, “in appreciation of the voluntary service given to the County and citizens of Fingal”. If you would like to take lessons with our branch, please email us at leithinis@comhaltas.net with name, DOB (if under 18), instrument and level and we will get back to you. For existing students and members, we will be in touch in early September regarding registration.