Ceòlas has just returned from a visit to Feile Iorras in Co. Mayo in Ireland thanks to the support of Iomairt Cholm Cille. The group who performed were Gillebride MacMillan, Robert Gilles, Amy MacAulay and Alana MacInnes. Voice, guitar, fiddle, pipes and mandolin were a superb combination which enabled each individual to demonstrate their talent whilst at the same time demonstrating the Ceòlas ethos. The visit was the first experience the group had of working together and the outcome from the music deliberations was superb, brilliant to see all contributing to the creation of sets in the morning sunshine before visiting their first performance in a Daycentre. The highlight of the trip was to play the new Arts Centre in Belmullet and share the show with a local traditional band and newcomer from the non-traditional world called Peadar King – everyone bought his CD as it seems he is destined for stardom.
Ceòlas were invited as part of the 13th festival which co-incided with a conference and exhibition on Island Culture and Arts in Belmullet. The group met Minister Eamon O’Cuiv. The festival invites other world cultures to contribute to the event and Ceòlas were delighted to have Alana play the pipes to the Singapore percussion group ‘One Heartbeat’ which became the highlight of the show. This event was filmed for their Gaelic TV station.
The group found Belmullet and the surrounding area a very friendly place and because the music was so popular we are hopeful of an influx of people to Ceòlas and to play golf in the islands.
Ceòlas will put on a concert for the community to enable them to hear the new ‘group’ during August.