Dates

• Existence: 1951-present

Biography

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1951 to promote Irish music, song, dance, and language. In January 1951, members of the Thomas Street (Dublin) Pipers' Club met in County Westmeath to form an organization to promote Irish traditional music and to plan an annual festival of Irish music, song and dance. The first Fleadh Cheoil (music festival) was held in Mullingar in May 1951, and the first officers of Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann were elected on October 14, 1951 in Dublin. The following year, the organization changed its name to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The aim of the Fleadh Cheoil was to publicize traditional music and to forestall a decline in its popularity in Ireland. After only five years, the annual Fleadh had grown to a major national festival featuring performances from traditional musicians, singers, and dancers from throughout Ireland.

There are currently branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in every county in Ireland, sponsoring classes, concerts and cultural events in local communities. There are over 400 branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann worldwide including more than 50 branches in North America.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's North American Province was established in Chicago in 1972. It sponsored its first concert tour group in October 1972, and today supports concerts, dance classes, music instruction, and other events in traditional Irish arts throughout the United States and Canada.

CCÉ's headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland. CCÉ North America is organized into seven regional branches: Canada East, Canada West, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Southern and Western.