Rosaleen Duddy-Owens Blog

“I have never learnt to play an instrument but my mother taught me ceili dance steps when I was growing up in Leicester. I got involved with Comhaltas as a very good friend of mine was involved with the Nottingham Branch. It was her dad who encouraged us to have a branch in Leicester. I was also approached by members of the Leicester Irish Society to form a branch of Comhaltas. So it felt like there was a lot of interest in forming one.

A meeting was arranged to find out a bit more about Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. We had Mick Lyons (RIP), who was originally from Galway, come over from the Birmingham branch to meet with us and answer any questions we had. We asked a lot of questions and he was so helpful during that meeting. Jim Teevan and Cath Skinner (RIP) from the Leagrave branch in Luton were so useful during its creation. They supported us and we could always contact them for advice. 

The first official branch meeting of Leicester CCÉ was held on the 26th of September 1976 and I was 23 years old. It took place at Burley House 137, Loughborough Road, Leicester which was the home of Mick and Bridie Lyons (RIP). The first committee was made up of: 

Chair - Tom Keville

Vice Chair - Fr Con Moynihan

Secretary - Nessan Danaher

Treasurer - John Shanahan

PRO - myself

Committee Members - Seamus Coleman, Mary O'Neill (RIP), Danny Hirrell (RIP), Charlie O'Donnell, Sarah Sexton (RIP), Liam Sexton, Fr Pat Greasley. 

After approximately 3 months, Tom Keville and Nessan Danaher left the Committee due to work pressures. They were replaced by Liam Sexton in the position of Chair and Pat Greasley took the post of Secretary. After a year, we were looking for a new venue for our music classes, sessions and ceilis, so we moved to St Patrick's Club, and later on to the Sacred Heart Club. We eventually made our home at the Emerald Centre, which is where we are still located today. 

It feels wonderful that the All Britain Fleadh 2025 is being held in Coventry and the Midlands region. It's a big moment for any branch in a region to host such an important event in an Irish musician and dancer’s calendar. We are less than an hour's drive away and the branch can’t wait to enjoy the best in music, song and dance. Also being able to meet up with family, friends and support our competitors from our branch.

The branch has a range of different activities that we offer. We recently had a Gaeilge Day which involves speaking, telling stories and singing in Irish. We also run a very successful storytelling workshop for senior members of our branch. Another item we’re super proud of is our ‘little ones live Irish music session’, where kids between the ages of 0-8 can dance around and be exposed to live performances of Irish Traditional music. Some of the children go on to take up an instrument and attend our classes. 

Comhaltas is very important to me, I have made the most amazing friends along the way both at home and abroad. I stood down from the committee in 2023 after 47 years. I’m excited to celebrate the branch’s 50th anniversary next year and it’s crazy to think I was there at its very first meeting. I’m glad I got to pass on the heritage and culture on to the next generation to take the lead.”