Camross Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will represent Laois and Leinster in eleven different disciplines at this year’s All-Ireland Fleadh.
The group, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, will be part of events held in Wexford over the week of August 4-11.
This will involve 23 young musicians and dancers from the branch which has been hailed as one of the strongest in the country.
“They have worked very hard to reach this level and are among the elite in their field of music and dance,” said Mary Collier, chairperson.
“The branch was founded by a young curate in the parish at the time, Fr Larry Dunphy, who brought some like minded people together with the aim to provide a social outlet for their music,” said Mary.
“We had a weekend of celebration for our 50th anniversary last November, with a Mass and dinner on the Saturday night and a céilí on the Sunday with the All-Ireland winning band, The Shandrum.
“Over the years, the branch has provided musicians and dancers to celebrate major social, sporting and other events at home and abroad.”
Music classes are conducted on a weekly basis from September to June in all instruments and at present approximately 130 young people attend weekly classes.
“This is supplemented by our junior set dancing classes that attract around 40 young boys and girls and our senior adult set dancing classes that is a very social evening of approximately 15-20 people,” Mary said.
“In the meantime we continue with a weekly summer Seisiún on a Friday night in The Camross Inn and registration for next year will be held again in September.
“It is planned to undertake some travel over the autumn to showcase our music and expose our young musicians to various experiences,” she said.
Further information on the branch and its activities is available by phoning 087 4067313.
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