Keeping the tradition alive
Music has never been more important than it is right now. Covid-19 put pay to many of the usual outlets for our musical fix over the last seven months. The Ulster Fleadh and the County Fleadh were halted but the appetite for these events and the enthusiasm of the Comhaltas family did not wane.
Celebrating music is at the very core of the 2020 NYAH Border Crossings event that will use webcam streaming to mark two decades of the Cavan CCÉ’s existence.
The whole world is the stage, and that stage is set from September 19 to 22 as the cream of Irish traditional talent prepare to perform in a curious new way.
Adapting to change is part of the reason NYAH has endured for the last 20 years and marking that milestone was something Martin Donohoe felt was important:
“We wanted to acknowledge the creativity of our members for the last two decades. Obviously with everything going on at the moment, we have had to change the way we mark this momentous occasion in the history of NYAH. It’s great to be able to have an event that allows people to celebrate with us our achievements in that time.”
The 2020 NYAH Border Crossings event is facilitated by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in co-operation with Northern Ireland Funding Scheme.
It will be four days and nights of Irish Culture. That culture embraces all traditions regardless of age, race, gender or background.
“It’s all about people,” Martin says. “We are bringing together young and old, diverse communities to show new horizons in a shared spaces. It is about safer communities, cultural expression, new friendships and what is now identified as webcam culture.”
The festival will see 60 artists recorded from cross-border locations. Border Crossing will live stream a wide range of cultural experiences, from archive footage to newly-recorded performances.
“We will be presenting Zoom classes on all Ulster traditions. I have to thank the 15 tutors for working with the students from all over Ulster to make this possible. Sure we miss out on the ‘gathering together’ that is what the festival experience is about, but the good thing about this format is that traditional music fans from all over the world can access the shows through the Comhaltas Fleadh Uladh 2020, the NYAH Co Cavan and Irish Music Magazine official pages on Facebook,” Martin said.
Since its inception, the NYAH Group has worked to embrace creativity and the arts: “Both are fundamental elements of life and play important roles in the life of us all and help understand the creative processes that enable us to apply our creativity in what we do,” Martin says.
He opines that music has never been more important: “Tradition contributes a sense of comfort and belonging. It brings families together and enables people to reconnect with friends. Traditions are passed down and continue because they have value.”
The organisers put out a special thanks to: Brendan McAleer (Dún Uladh Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s Regional Resource Centre, Omagh); Comhaltas Cultúrlann na hÉireann, Monkstown, Dublin; Catriona O’Reilly (Arts Officer Cavan CoCo); Narissa Cosgrave (Cavan Arts Office); Willie Drennan (Antrim); Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan; Leighinmohr House, Antrim; Dean Warner Armagh; Jim Mills Mullaghboy Band; Fintan McManus Fermanagh; Gary Fitzpatrick Fermanagh; Zoran Digital; David Angus & John Trotter Ulster Scots musicians; Philip & Edel Lynchprint Cavan; Terry Crowe; Backyard Arts Centre Moynehall; Emma Meade & Robert Heustion Irish Music Website; Patrick Doheny for photographs; Cathal Lynch Tyrone Ulster Singers group; Martin Whelan Cavan Co Board Comhaltas; Felix & Sharon McQuaid Opticians; ITMA Director Liam O’Connor & Staff; Brian Doyle; Alan Woods; Cllr Brendan Fay Cathaoirleach Cavan-Belturbet MD & Widows Bar; Zara & Noeleen from Fitzpatrick Bar Rockcorry; Savina Donohoe Cavan Co Museum Ballyjamesduff; Mel’s Signs; Brian Reynolds Video; Kieran Hanrahan & Aidan Butler RTE Ceili House; Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha of Raidio na Gaeltachta; Smyth’s TV; Cavan Crystal Hotel; Lorraine Teevan Photography; Macknagh Media; Carlotta Hester & Chris Murray USA; Bernard O’Sullivan CCE; Tinko Tinev IT; Philip Clarke CCE; Cavan Monaghan ETB; Sheridan Insurance; Gary Lynch Fermanagh; Tommy Goldrick and Mary Reilly, Cavan Town, and all NYAH CCÉ members.