Branch Classes

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.  (Participation in competition is optional).  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.

Our Tutors are all experienced and accomplished musicians ,very considerate of each individual pupil needs, their attention to detail, motivation and dedication to work in Classes  is exemptional and highly regarded by all past and present pupils alike.  A list of our Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Champions and medalists from 2002 are listed below. Monthly junior and senior sessions provide all the benefits inherent in group participation, improving performance and boosting self-confidence/social skills.  Our Annual Concert is a showcase event enjoyed by our student members, branch members and the wider community.  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.  Memorable Gig Rig performances include Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2009 and 2022 and Fleadh TV on TG4 also in 2022. Members have performed admirably on television, radio and social media.

Ballyboy Comhaltas performers are available on request.  Contact ballyboycce@gmail.com

SUNDAY

Flute, Set Dancing

MONDAY

Singing, Storytelling, Comhrá i nGaeilge

TUESDAY

Accordion, Concertina

WEDNESDAY

Guitar

THURSDAY

Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo, Bodhran

FRIDAY

Figure Dancing, Tin Whistle, Piano, Drums

Uilleann Pipes and Harp lessons are also available. For more information email ballyboycce@gmail.com

Instrument Bank  

Since we established our Instrument Bank in 2008  we have a selection of different Instruments available for rent, this will facilitate any new members joining our music school who would like to try out another musical instrument without having to commit to the expense of purchasing a new one. We offer tuition in a wide variety of instruments as we aim to respond to the needs of all our members. For information on our classes listed above contact ballyboycce@gmail.com or Chairman Paddy Buckley 0876772303.

All-Ireland Achievers Since 2002 (Ballyboy CCE )

2002

Duets 0-18
1st
Sharon Carroll (& Attracta Brady – Killiegh CCE)
Melodeon U-12
1st
Danielle Dunican
Ladies English Singing U-12
2nd
Amy Delaney

2003

Ladies English Singing U-12
1st
Amy Delaney

2004

Ladies English Singing U-12
2nd
Aisling Troy

2007

Comhra Gaeilge 13-15
1st
Claire Nevin
Button Accordion 12-15
2nd

Sarah Hennessy

2008

Comhra Gaeilge 15-18
1st
Claire Nevin
Tin Whistle U-12
1st
Valerie Carroll
Duet 12-15
1st
Cathal Guinan (& Claire Ann Kearns Killeigh CCE)

2009

Bodhrán O-18
1st
Martin McHugh
Buton Accordion 12-15
2nd
Amy Murphy

Comhra Gaeilge 13-15

3rd
Paula Cosgrove

2010

Bodhrán O-18
3rd
Katelyn Corrigan

2011

Mens English Singing U-12
1st
Luke Maher

2012

Banjo O-18
1st
Con Mahon
Mens English Singing U-12
2nd
Luke Maher
Mandolin O-18
3rd
Con Mahon
Mens Irish Singing U-12
3rd
Luke Maher

2013

Flute Airs U-15
1st
Luke Maher
Harp Airs U-12
2nd
Grace Minnock

Button Accordion 15-18

2nd
Chloe Flynn
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
2nd
Lilting U-15
3rd
Stephen Hanrahan

2014

Trio U-12
1st

Grace Minnock, Meibh & Naoise Dooley

Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
1st
Lilting U-12
2nd
Verona Lynch
Mens English Singing 12-15
3rd
Luke Maher

2015

Flute 12-15
1st
Luke Maher
Mens English Singing 12-15
1st
Luke Maher
Tin Whistle Airs 12-15
1st
Grace Minnock
Mens Irish Singing 12-15
2nd
Luke Maher
Fiddle Airs 15-18
2nd

Ashling Murphy

Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
2nd
Harp Airs 12-15
3rd
Grace Minnock
Button Accordion 15-18
3rd
Eimear Buckley
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
3rd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
3rd

2016

Harp 12-15
1st
Grace Minnock
Whistling 12-15
1st
Grace Minnock
Mens Irish Singing 15-18
2nd
Luke Maher
Flute Airs 12-15
3rd
Luke Maher
Lilting U-12
3rd
Caitlin Minnock
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
3rd

2017

Whistling 12-15
1st
Grace Minnock
Flute Airs 15-18
1st
Luke Maher
Piano 12-15
2nd
Grace Minnock
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
2nd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
2nd
Tin Whistle 12-15
3rd
Grace Minnock
Trio 12-15
3rd

Grace Minnock, Meibh & Naoise Dooley

Tin Whistle U-12
3rd
Aoibhe Dooley
Mens English Singing 15-18
3rd
Luke Maher
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
3rd
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
3rd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 15-18
3rd

2018

Whistling 15-18
1st
Grace Minnock
Scéalaiocht 12-15
1st
Niall Mahon
Flute 15-18
2nd
Luke Maher
Grupai Cheoil 12-15
2nd
Mixed 8-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
2nd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 15-18
2nd
Miscellaneous 12-15
3rd
Naoise Dooley
Mens English Singing 15-18
3rd
Luke Maher
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
3rd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 15-18 X 2
3rd

2019

Ladies English Singing 12-15
1st
Caitlin Minnock
Newly Composed Tunes
1st

Meibh Dooley

Mixed 8-Hand Ceili Dancing U-12
1st
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
1st
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
2nd
Whistling 15-18
3rd
Grace Minnock
Storytelling 15-18
3rd
Niall Mahon
Scéalaiocht 15-18
3rd
Niall Mahon
Mens English Singing O-18
3rd
Luke Maher
Mixed 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 12-15
3rd
Ladies 4-Hand Ceili Dancing 15-18
3rd
Ladies 8-Hand Ceili Dancing 15-18
3rd

2022

Tin Whistle O-18                              

1st

Máire Brennan

Tin Whistle Slow Airs O-18.                                 

1st

Grace Minnock

4-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies.  15-18                               

1st
FOIREANN CIARA
Ciara Kilmartin
Orla Kilmartin
Aideen Quinn
Caoimhe Quinn

Melodeon U-12                         

2nd

Fiadhna Leamy

Bodhran O-18                  

2nd

Mark Bracken

Flute Slow Airs O-18          

2nd

Luke Maher

English Singing Men O-18      

2nd

Luke Maher

Whistling O-18

2nd

Grace Minnock 

8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies 15-18

2nd
FOIREANN ELAINE
Ciara Kilmartin
Orla Kilmartin
Aideen Quinn
Caoimhe Quinn
Elizabeth Kilmartin
Roisin Monaghan
Elaine Lynch
Megan Stapleton

English Singing Ladies 15-18

3rd

Caitlin Minnock

4-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies U-12

3rd
FOIREANN FIADHNA
Fiadhna Leamy
Cliodhna Young
Clodagh Young
Ceola Scully

COVID-19 DECLARATION

Ballyboy Branch