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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Thinking global and acting local sees our musical traditions survive and thrive
'Think global, act local': the phrase was coined in the 1970s, gained new currency in the '90s and remains relevant today. Think global — in other words, big picture, broad view, the important things — and act on an individual and community level. Its original authors meant it environmentally, but it can apply to all sorts of things. Irish arts and culture, for instance. As with every other indigenous culture, especially smaller nations', our music and dancing and language have been essentially under siege for decades in an increasingly homogenised, connected, corporatised global village. The huge demographic and sociocultural change of immigration also changes the cultural landscape in numerous ways. This isn't to get into the rights or wrongs of that, just to state an obvious fact: indigenous arts and culture are altered, everywhere and every time, as populations change. This is a depressing situation. Whenever the world loses any of its remarkable range and richness of traditions is depressing. But that's what we might call 'global' — what about local? What can you or I do about it, here and now? How can we help Irish arts to survive and thrive? Musicians from local Comhaltas groups at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford Town. I give you Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The kind of rare people giving words like 'organisation', 'bureaucracy' and 'non-profit' a good name. Comhaltas was founded in 1951 by a group of musicians, concerned Irish trad was in decline. It now has 400+ branches around the world, promoting and preserving our music, dancing and language. It runs weekly classes, periodic events and celebrations and sessions, and annual competitions. We're currently gearing up in Clare for the County Fleadh, from Sunday June 8. Do well in that and it's onto the Munsters in Cork in July, and who knows? Maybe All-Ireland glory in Wexford this August. As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Comhaltas has branches in places you'd expect — US, UK, Australia — and some you might not: Colombia, Singapore, Patagonia, Japan. (Irish trad is massive in Japan especially, thanks mainly to Comhaltas. How's that for thinking global?) Performers from Comhaltas na Dúglaise at Cork Airport ahead of Fleadh Cheoil Chorcaí 2024. And it's fantastic in what it does, the definition of 'volunteer spirit'; it's making the world a better place, one local step at a time, without asking or needing to be paid. Though that makes it all sound so worthy and po-faced, and getting involved in Comhaltas really isn't like that at all. It's fun. It's craic. It's meeting people and doing things. It's hefting chairs around a hall for the grúpa cheoil to assemble. It's handing out wristbands for the fleadh. It's WhatsApp groups and Facebook photos and driving to rehearsals. It's toting a harp case through a crowd and hoping to Jesus nobody bangs off the instrument — these things cost a lot of money. It's reuniting lost fiddle bows with their owner and waiting nervously with other parents for competition results. It's negotiating complex timetables so you can watch your kid's u15 group and still make the finale of the senior sean nós dancing. It's realising sean nós, contrary to preconceptions, is an absolutely kick-ass style of dancing and how did this brilliant artform elude your attention until now? One remarkable feature of Comhaltas, and traditional arts in general, is how it brings genuine superstars of the genre to the grassroots level — globally renowned names and local involvement. In my own case, for example, the Kilfenora Céilí Band were formed 30 minutes from where I live. In trad terms, they're megastars: they've played abroad (including the Glastonbury festival), been on the Late Late Show several times, performed at the National Concert Hall and other prestigious venues. Mike Dunning performs with his grandson LJ Kelly from Athlone on the opening day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Picture: Andres Poveda And I know several of them for years — just through normal life, and engagement with Comhaltas. They live locally. They teach my kids music and/or steer groups through competition. They're neighbours and friends. Our children play sport together. "One is a teacher in a nearby secondary. (Another is Sharon Shannon's brother, incidentally; he's in a neighbouring branch, and there's great friendly rivalry every summer.) Members of Newcestown Comhaltas. Picture: Brian Lougheed And it's mad, you're chatting to these people about the humdrum stuff of day-to-day and then they might say something like, 'Sorry, we have to head off, we've to be in RTÉ by seven'. I love that. It's what life should be about, really: incredibly talented artists, but also regular people who are deeply engaged on a local level. It's the kind of thing you only really get in 'roots' music. The rock equivalent would be The Edge teaching your kids guitar at the community hall, or Taylor Swift administrating a WhatsApp group called 'U12 county final 2025'. Funny, I was never a trad person growing up, and in fact still today am far more likely to listen to, or (badly) play, rock music or electronica or almost anything else, really, on CD or radio or YouTube. But there's something magical about trad music and dance, when it's live and in person; when you're involved to some degree, not just passively consuming. It's global, it's local, it's magical, it's Comhaltas. Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir takes place in Ennis this weekend. See for information
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'That narrative has been debunked now' - Limerick boss hits back at end of an era talk
JOHN KIELY SAYS that Limerick have firmly 'debunked' any notions that they were coming towards the end of an era. The Treaty heroes have plenty of miles on the clock during their dominant streak of five All-Irelands and six Munsters across the last seven seasons. Ahead of Saturday's provincial decider against Cork, Kiely was asked about those voices who had been writing Limerick off. 'Maybe that narrative was out there,' he replied. 'I think that narrative has been debunked now.' The Galbally native is perfectly happy to leave 2024 in the rear-view mirror. He reflects that the five-in-a-row hype became all-consuming around the county. 'It was the first words out of everybody's mouth when you go to the shop or go to the post office or go to Mass. It was almost the first line at Mass. We'll pray for the five in a row, and we'll move on to the more important matters of life and death. So, it's definitely no harm that it's finished with,' laughed Kiely. Setting those changed narratives aside, the Treaty chief believes his stalwarts can even stretch out their careers over even longer time frames. Patrick Horgan and TJ Reid are still topping scoring charts at 37. Kiely doesn't see any reason why his team can't hurl on at least that long. 'Absolutely, 100%. Why not? Maybe longer. I think that's all doable. They're not made of metal or steel, as I've said recently. They don't rust, they don't corrode. The body is designed to renew, to heal, to get stronger. It's what you do with it rather than what it'll do to you. Advertisement 'The lads have worked really hard. Plus, they've had fantastic care over the last 10-12 years in their S&C and medical programmes. We've always done right by the lads medically. If they weren't fit, they didn't play. That's been borne out now. They're really strong. 'The support that's there for the players now means that they can go on for many more years than what they would have done 20 years ago, even. You can see that in the professional game of rugby, where players are peaking in their early 30s. Peter O'Mahony is a perfect example of it. Lads who can really stretch the envelope in terms of the duration of their careers. 'It's really important that we don't almost pre-empt an earlier than necessary step away from the game. We need to make sure that the boys can enjoy the time playing the game that they love. That's the most important part of it. 'Acknowledging that along the way there are going to be dips in their form, there's going to be dips in terms of their physical readiness, and that we have to try and support them through that piece the best we can. 'But definitely there's much longer careers there now. Look at Patrick Hogan, he's a perfect example of it. It's great to see.' There was no better example of that regeneration for Kiely than Nickie Quaid's return to play within 19 weeks of a cruciate rupture. Kiely hailed the 35-year-old All-Star goalkeeper, saying: 'It took real courage to do what he did.' Tom Morrissey took some time away to travel around South America early in the season. Kiely praised the wing-forward for his fitness work, which saw him play a National League game within three weeks of his return. The manager reflected that 'being an inter-county hurler shouldn't be a barring order against leaving the country'. During the final-round defeat to Clare a fortnight ago, Kiely was seen gesturing to the crowd to raise the noise levels. There will be no fear of that scenario repeating on Saturday. 'It was a weird atmosphere. It was actually great to hear that the atmosphere in Cork was weird, muted, and unusual as well. There was probably a lot riding on the games in different ways. 'The public just found it difficult to engage in the game here anyway. You could hear people talking up in the stand. Normally, you can't hear your ears, let alone hear somebody talking up in the stand. When there are 35,000 people in the stadium, that is so unusual 'I just didn't want it to creep onto the pitch, that lack of engagement. It was a little bit frustrating at the time. Every day the team goes out, it doesn't matter in what context, we expect the supporters to support and drive the team forward. To acknowledge every single effort that they make, every tackle they make, every run they make, every catch they make, every strike they make. 'We want them to really engage with every action on the field. We are just trying to encourage them to do that as much as possible. Last Sunday was just a bit unusual in that regard. I know we won't have anything like that (in the Munster final).' With seven in a row on the line, Kiely sees huge value in a Munster title. He reminds his squad of the less successful days to avoid taking it for granted. Before 2013, the county's previous Munster title came in 1996. Cork defeated Limerick twice last year, with a response coming at the Gaelic Grounds last month in a 16-point victory for the team in green. Still, Kiely sees room for improvement. 'There was plenty we came away from that performance that we weren't happy with ourselves. There was elements that we were very happy with, but our focus is, and will always be, on getting better. What the opposition bring is the opposition's business. My business is about what we bring. 'The Munster final is a showpiece sporting event here in Ireland. It's up there with the All-Ireland as a sporting event in its own right. They're rare days. We've been very fortunate, we've been part of these for the last number of years, but it's not lost on us. 'They really love these occasions, and they look forward to them. It means a great deal to them to be in the Munster final.'
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Cork selector doesn't mince words while challenging Rebels to rise to occasion in Munster final rematch vs Limerick
WAYNE Sherlock knows Cork must prevail in the hunger games when they face Limerick in the second instalment of a potential trilogy. The Treaty, who 2 Cork lost 3-26 to 1-16 last time out against Limerick 2 Wayne Sherlock is hoping they can end Limerick's reign of dominance It may not be the last they see of each other either, as both sides will then turn their attention to making it to Croke Park for All-Ireland final day. Since Cork's most recent Cork selector Sherlock said: 'We have no All-Irelands, they have five. They're going for seven Munsters, a lot of our fellas have none. 'Realistically, how can they be hungrier than us? It can't be possible. Read more on GAA 'We're going up to play them on their home patch. 'They're probably going to go down as one of the greatest teams ever to play the game. 'If you're not at it for this, you probably shouldn't go up there. But one thing we can guarantee the Cork fans is that we'll definitely be better than the last day.' Given that there had been no more than a puck of a ball between the teams in their five previous meetings, another close encounter was anticipated in last month's round-robin showdown. Most read in GAA Hurling But Sherlock admits that Cork's 'attitude could have been better' as they were trounced by a Limerick outfit who had an axe to grind with the team who condemned them to two Championship losses in 2024. The 1999 All-Star defender said: 'We just knew we can't be off the pace. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - "We're a 100 per cent team. If we take our foot off the throttle, we're an average team. 'But when we're going full tilt and we're at it, I think we'll beat anyone.' On the back of their first NHL triumph since 1998, Cork entered the Championship as odds-on favourites to end a 20-year All-Ireland drought. A bookie's decision Sherlock, a member of the victorious 2005 side, said: 'I think people want us to fail. How can you say Cork are going to win the All-Ireland after winning a league final? 'We're around long enough not to fall for it. But was that the reason we played like that against Limerick, that we were thinking we were just going to beat them? It wasn't, 100 per cent.' The Blackrock man also believes the lure of provincial medals is 'the same as it always was'. He added: 'I'd say our fellas who don't have them would do anything to get their hands on one.'
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'How can they be hungrier than us? That's my question' Cork throw down gauntlet
Cork selector Wayne Sherlock says there's no way that Limerick should have greater desire than the Rebels in Saturday's Munster final. The holders are bidding for a record-extending seventh provincial title on the spin at a time when Munster has arguably never been as competitive and with a more demanding format too. Cork won the Munster title in the first year of the round robin format in 2018 but this is their first final since. "It's incredible,' said Sherlock of Limerick's recent record. 'If you were an outsider looking at a team going for seven-in-a-row, you'd be thinking it must be a cakewalk. But they've been winning most of the games by a point or two. 'Look, they're phenomenal. But going up to Limerick the next day, how can they be hungrier than us? That's my question. 'We have no All-Irelands, they have five. They're going for seven Munsters, a lot of our fellas have none. Realistically, how can they be hungrier than us? 'It's the question we have to ask ourselves and it can't be possible that they'll be hungrier than us. They're an excellent team and we're going up to play them on their home patch. 'They're probably going to go down as one of the greatest teams ever to play the game. So if you're not at it for this, you probably shouldn't go up there. But one thing we can guarantee the Cork fans is that we'll definitely be better than the last day." Cork manager Pat Ryan has hit out at some of the hype around the team, with one bookmaker paying out early on them winning the Munster and All-Ireland titles, while he said that 'Corkness' is 'the most stupid word I ever saw'. Sherlock shares those sentiments. "I would. It's kind of insulting. I think people want us to fail. How can you say Cork are going to win the All-Ireland just after winning a League final? We're around long enough not to fall for it. 'It's just being spoken about in such a way that you knew it was kind of insulting and they wanted us to fail. 'But was that the reason we played like that against Limerick, that we were thinking we were just going to beat them? It wasn't, 100%. 'We were hyped up before the Clare game and we put in an unbelievable performance in the first half. We were hyped up before the Tipp game and we put in a good performance. 'The noise was there and we still performed, just not for 70 minutes. But the outside noise is just cringey, to be honest.'
