Founded in 2000 Ballyboy CCÉ branch has changed the musical landscape and traditional music heritage throughout south Offaly and beyond with large numbers of pupils enrolling to our music classes from day one and many of those people advanced to become accomplished instrumentalists who regularly perform and entertained many of their family members, neighbours, friends and the general public at sessions, concerts, fleadhs and other occasions over the years. Ballyboy CCÉ delivers a wide ranging program to the local community and beyond, designed to instruct, perform, promote and preserve our Irish Music song and Dance. Since our ignoration in 2000 our Branch membership has increased years on year and this year we have a total 371 members. To celebrate our anniversary we organised a Dinner dance in the Bridge House hotel on October 24 th last where a large crowd of enthusiasts enjoyed a beautiful meal and a great nights entertainment with a live band followed by a trad disco. We were proud to have some of the founder branch members attending also our special guest Attracta Brady ( Uachtáraín Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann ) and her husband Ned officiated on the night. Attracta spoke of the importance of the work done at grassroots level by local branch people, she complimented the branch for their great work and accomplishments over the years and wished them the best for the future. Founder member and chairman Paddy Buckley made reference of thanks all the people who joined the branch and worked diligently with the group over the last 25 years .He also expressed sincere gratitude to other people elected to the chair over the years namely Lorretta Dooley, Des Murphy and Michael Buckley for their great commitment and dedication to the branch. Paddy paid tribute to accomplished local musician Sharon Carroll Leamy for her contribution to our branch music and classes , her work ethic, vast experience, skill and infectious dedication is very positive and she continues to inspire all of her students, fellow tutors, parents and friends alike. We are privileged to have an amazing group of enthusiastic, dedicated and talented Tutors who are the heartbeat of our music classes ,sessions and concert performances. Paddy also paid tribute to all members young and old who contributed great effort and commitment yearly to bring the branch to where it is today. He spoke of how proud he was of our branch’s will to succeed and progress and hoped that with hard work and dedication in the future will bring more success, entertainment and achievement to all Ballyboy CCE members and volunteers and followers. Quality tuition is at the heart of Ballyboy Comhaltas. Our current programme of classes caters for a wide variety of musical instruments, traditional singing, storytelling and dancing. From junior to senior, beginner to advanced, everyone is welcome to enrol in our classes. Student achievement in the competitive arena has been significant. This is a high achieving branch. Fleadh Cheoil Uíbh Fhailí, Fleadh Laighean and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann are important markers on our social and competitive landscape. Successes have been well documented in solo and group competitions – testament, perhaps, to the calibre of teaching and work ethic within our branch. To date we have 33 All Ireland winners and 36 second place achievers from our branch. Our Tutors are all experienced and accomplished musicians ,very considerate of each individual pupil needs, their attention to detail, motivation and their dedication to work in Classes is exemptional and highly regarded by all past and present pupils.
Monthly junior and senior sessions provide all the benefits inherent in group participation, improving performance and boosting self-confidence and social skills. Our Annual Concert is a showcase event enjoyed by our student members, branch members and the wider community. Ballyboy CCE members perform at various fundraising events, charity events, local and not so local festivals, concerts and ceremonies. Our musicians and dancers have performed at many prestigious events including the visit of Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins, to the Tullamore Agricultural Show in 2016 and the national ploughing in 2025, Memorable Gig Rig performances include Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2009 and 2022 and Fleadh TV on TG4 also in 2022. Many members have performed admirably on national television, radio and social media and other prestigious stages internationally.
