Celebrating 50 Years of Nottingham Comhaltas

Ahead of this month’s anniversary celebrations, Branch Secretary Roisin Hickey and Committee Member Paul Curtis reflect on 50 years of Irish music, tradition, and community in Nottingham. 50 years ago, on Thursday 26th June 1975, the Nottingham branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first meeting. Father Tom Godley was the driving force behind the branch’s formation, inviting Leo Harris from Northampton to join him at the Nottingham Irish Social Centre. There, they discussed how best to promote Irish traditional music and involve the local Irish community.

The first meeting was well attended, and a committee was appointed: Mick Keane as Chair, Tess Stanley as Secretary, Steve Harrison as Treasurer, Eddie McGrath as PRO, Michael O'Shaughnessy as Auditor, and Fr. Godley as the branch’s first President. The first AGM was held on 28th October 1975, with just 14 members.

The branch quickly began to attract local Irish families, running weekly sessions and encouraging youngsters to learn instruments. Pat and Jim McNally started lessons on the tin whistle and accordion, and many renowned musicians joined over the years, including Eddie O'Donnell Snr, his brother Jack O'Donnell, Kathleen Lord, Seán O’Laughlin, Mary Talty, and John Gibney Snr. From these strong foundations, the branch began to thrive.

During these early years Irish music was just oozing from the branch with a reputation for quality and wholesome entertainment. In 1981, it toured entertainment venues across the East Midlands. A BBC Radio engineer recorded one of the shows, and we are fortunate to still have a copy today.

A normal Monday evening session turned into a memorable occasion when the branch was joined by world renowned fiddler, Aly Bain, together with the internationally famous Shetland Fiddlers. This was a night to remember, with the Irish Centre Members’ Bar filled to the brim with an appreciative audience listening to a fine mixture of Irish, Scottish and Norwegian music. 

The branch soon became active in the Midland region, hosting its first regional Fleadh in 1976 and the All-Britain Fleadh in 1996. It has hosted numerous concert tours, most recently the Echoes of Erin tour in 2015, where audiences were, as always, treated to music, song, and dance of the highest standard.

Over the years, the branch has been represented at both the All-Britain and All-Ireland Fleadhanna. Members and musicians alike have been justly proud of those who brought national recognition to Nottingham Comhaltas.

Throughout its 50 years the branch has had a fantastic community spirit and has formed outstanding relationships with other branches in the Midland region and indeed Britain. It has also had excellent interaction with other organisations in Nottingham which promote Irish links, tradition and culture. The branch is always keen to nurture these connections by being involved with the Nottingham St Patrick’s Day Festival and helping out with worthy causes and fundraising events. Long may those relationships continue!

Committee Photo: Sam Chapman (Chair), Eamonn Harrison (Vice Chair), Patsy Greaney (PRO), Roisin Hickey (Secretary), Paul Curtis (Auditor), Jim Hickey (Treasurer)

Despite some difficult years, the Nottingham branch has managed to soldier on, mainly due to the dedication of its members and committee. Family involvement, as with many branches, has been at the foundation core of branch activities over the past 50 years. The branch and the Nottingham Irish community are very grateful to the Stanley, Murphy, Greaney, Hickey (who have now had 3 generations of the family on the branch committee!) and O’Donnell families for their hard work and dedication to Comhaltas. In support there were significant efforts by other individuals such as Mary Walsh, Kathleen Lord and Ann Green, and many members who have helped in the background. Without their hard work and efforts over the years the branch would not be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year - it’s a real team effort.

Clearly the heart of the branch are the musicians, young and old, and their teachers who have enjoyed playing music and kept traditional music alive and thriving in Nottingham. Many started learning music in the branch and left to further their careers or to have families, but have kept their ties with the branch by encouraging their children and their grandchildren to play music. Others have continued to be active in the branch, attending and enjoying the weekly sessions and teaching the youngsters.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the branch is hosting a ceili on 20th September at the Nottingham Greyfriars Club with music from the Liverpool Céilí Band. The invitation is extended to all Comhaltas members, family and friends (tickets can be bought from our website https://nottinghamcomhaltas.com/nottingham-comhaltas-50th-anniversary-2025/). There will also be a number of exciting singing and instrument workshops over the next year - details will be sent out soon!

With the continued support of branch members, musicians and the Irish community in Nottingham, the branch hopes to continue for another successful 50 years. 

Nottingham Comhaltas Branch Musicians