Laois Comhaltas branch's story is available to all Irish libraries

Spink Comhaltas celebrated 40 years in 2023 and to mark this milestone, a history of the branch was researched and published at the end of that year.

Written by former chairman Lawrence Vesey, the branch history remains one of the most comprehensive of any Comhaltas branch in Ireland.

As the print run is now almost fully sold out, the committee decided to donate some copies to all of the libraries in Laois, where they will be available free of charge to anyone interested in the branch.

By being in the Laois Libraries bank of books, it will also be automatically available to anyone else using a public library service across all of Ireland.

Spink CCE, which has members in Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare, say the donation of the books to Laois libraries was a natural next step after copies were requested by the primary libraries that receive copies of all published works in Ireland and the UK.

These libraries are the National Library of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, the British Library, the Bodleian Library, Cambridge University Library, the National Library of Scotland, and the National Library of Wales. The folklore department of Maynooth University recently requested a copy, and discussions are underway with the music departments of other universities in Ireland.

A limited number of copies of the book are available from Heritage House, Abbeyleix, which has a comprehensive repository of local history books. All the regional culture centres of Comhaltas across Ireland have also received a copy. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Spink Comhaltas U12 Ceili Band at the Laois Fleadh held in the Nano Nagle Sports Complex in Portlaoise in 2024. Pic: Denis Byrne

Speaking at the donation of the book in Abbeyleix library, current branch chairperson, Genevieve Bennett noted the importance of the book for current members of the branch to appreciate the rich history of Spink Comhaltas.

A statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said the branch continues to develop the next chapters of history of the branch. With a new teaching location in the modern surroundings of Scoil Mhuire school in Abbeyleix, and the largest number of music teachers ever – eight teachers, of whom six are full time developing the musicians of the future, with two additional teachers for specialist areas.

Spink CCE's Chairperson says the branch has one of the most comprehensive music instrument banks in Ireland, and in addition to teaching all music instruments used in traditional Irish music, the branch also places significant emphasis on formal education qualifications, with students prepared for the Comhaltas SCT Music Exams.

Membership numbers in 2024 set new records and membership for 2025 is now open with classes beginning on Friday, September 19 in Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix.

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Register for classes at https://spinkcomhaltas.clubforce.com/products/membership

They branch is looking forward to another year of music & friendships and they can't wait to meet new and returning members September 19.

Paula Dowling, Damien Mc Guinness, Ciara and Aaron Mackessy, Noel Stapleton, Senan Moran and Niamh Brennan are the teaching team this year!

More details on their facebook page or https://spinkcomhaltas.ie/