Laois trad musicians tune up for teen taken too soon

Final preparations are underway in Laois for a big memorial trad concert which will also help raise funds for charity.

Spink Comhaltas say they will be bringing together the entire community of Ballytarsna Abbeyleix and far beyond to host a memorial concert for Cathal Clooney on the first weekend of March.

Cathal was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend – to everyone who knew him.  A member of Spink Comhaltas, Cathal was a talented musician on whistle, accordion, melodeon and was starting to learn pipes at his death at the young age of 15 in 2001.

Cathal passed away in 2021 from complications following spinal surgery.  The shock, sadness and grief of his death was compounded by the circumstances of the pandemic lock-down in force at the time.

The Cathal Clooney memorial concert takes place on Saturday, March 2 in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel with doors opening at 7.30pm and the concert starts at 8pm.

It features the very best of traditional Irish music as well as musicians from other genres. All funds raised through the GoFundMe page set up as well as funds raised on the night at the concert will go directly to the charity nominated by his parents - Jack & Jill Foundation, with a donation also going to fund research into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Tickets now available from a number of outlets in Abbeyleix – Clelands, Anita's, Post Office, as well as Spink Comhaltas music classes in Scoil Mhuire on Friday, March 1.

There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door on the night of the concert. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The committee are very grateful to the generous donations of gifts received to date for spot prizes on the night - if anyone else would like to sponsor a prize or make a direct donation, please contact Maeve Hartford (087 694 8874), the Treasurer of Spink Comhaltas. 

While Spink Comhaltas supports community events throughout the year, this is the first major charity event run by the branch since the Laois MS event held in 2019 – a concert at which Cathal performed at.

Full details are available on Spink Comhaltas Facebook page and the website www.spinkcomhaltas.ie 

Spink Comhaltas say they provides traditional Irish music lessons to members from Laois and bordering areas in Kilkenny, Carlow, and Kildare.  With a comprehensive instrument bank to support members learning music in a cost-effective way, the branch say they prepare musicians for Fleadh Cheoil as well as traditional Irish music examinations. 

Most importantly, the mission is to ensure that the tradition of playing and enjoying Irish music is being handed on to a new generation.

More information is available at www.spinkcomhaltas.ie