My Story

29th of July 2024

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“I was born in London to Irish parents from Co Galway, Ireland. The only Irish vinyl record we had in our house when I was young was “Sean McGuire and Joe Burke, Two Champions” which I must admit didn’t inspire me at the time - (I eventually came to love Joe Burke seeing him many times in concert). I was 17 years old when I was first excited by Irish traditional music. I went to see the Bothy Band in concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London and from there began my grá (Love) for the music. 

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After I left university, I bought a tin whistle determined to learn some tunes. I started music classes with my local Comhaltas branch in my mid 20s learning with the class teachers, Michael and Joe Searson. They asked me if I wanted to become more involved in the organisation and support in running the regional fleadh. That was the first time I attended a fleadh committee meeting. That year, I entered with the Senior Group Cheoil in the 1988 regional fleadh and we went on to win third place at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Kilkenny.

Starting as PRO, then secretary, eventually in 1996 I became cathaoirleach (chair) of the branch (replacing Michael Baynes who had been in the role for nearly 40 years). In 2005 I stepped into the role of chair of London & Southern Region. I was lucky enough to be nominated to chair the provincial council of Comhaltas in Britain in 2012. I remained in that role until 2020 and I now act as an Ard Comhairle Delegate to Dublin, and also sit on the music sub-committee in Britain.  

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Personally, I love the fleadh. I love being involved in the organising and I love the buzz on the day when all the competitors and their families are arriving. You can feel the excitement in the air. You get a great feeling of satisfaction when everything goes smoothly and the fleadh finishes on time!

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Today, I’m once again the Cathaoirleach of the East London branch. Three of my four adult children play the music and have competed on fiddle, whistle and accordion at fleadhanna. My daughter Clare is heavily involved in volunteering for the branch and is the secretary. We keep a monthly music session going and have a very enthusiastic and talented committee. 

I started Irish language lessons 8 years ago and have a reasonable level of fluency which I would love to improve upon. I also attend weekly Irish set dancing lessons which I could definitely improve upon! I also play flute in a weekly session with the great fiddler and teacher Eilish Byrne Whelehan.

My journey in Comhaltas has been a significant part of my life contributing to my personal development and also giving me many great life experiences especially visiting fleadhanna cheoil in Britain and Ireland. But most of all it’s the people, my fellow colleagues and members who make Comhaltas in Britain. They all feel like a huge extended family and I can truly say that’s what keeps me involved and makes me keep coming back.”