Welcome to the Preston Comhaltas website!

We are a branch of the organisation Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann which supports and develops Irish traditional music, song and dance.

We hold regular, monthly Irish Traditional Music sessions at The Unicorn Hotel on North Road, Preston (map). These are every 2nd Sunday of the month from 4pm to 7pm.

OUR JULY SESSION IS ON THE 12th

We also hold an Irish music session every 4th Thursday of the month at The Moorbrook Inn on North Rd, Preston (next door to the Unicorn!). These start at 8:30pm. The next session is on THURSDAY 23rd JULY.

“Slow and Steady”!

Preston Comhaltas branch is supporting a “slow and steady” workshop/session series on the 4th Thursday of the month in the St. Thomas a Becket Room of The English Martyrs' Church, Preston, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m

Our next meeting is on THURSDAY 26th FEBRUARY at 7:00 p.m

The aim is to introduce those who would like to take part in regular Irish music sessions to the tunes and ways and etiquette of playing in a session.  It is also a friendly atmosphere in which to learn. These gatherings will be led by an experienced musician who will select, in the main, tunes currently in play in our regular monthly sessions. Players of all ages are welcome.  While we cater for beginners, you'd benefit best with at least a basic understanding of your instrument.  We will also be doing some work on basic rhythms, including introductions to the bodhran and dance. There is a charge of £3 per session to cover the room hire.

To date we've learned and worked on the following tunes, and you can find ABCs notation, sheet music (the dots) and midis for these by following the links given below to The Session web site http://www.thesession.org

Jigs:

The Rakes Of Kildare 

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/84

The Blackthorn Stick

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/702

The Haunted House ~ by Vincent Broderick

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1098  

Slip Jigs:

Top it Off

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2608

Hardiman the Fiddler

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/48

The Pendle Witches

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/8179

The Butterfly

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/10   

Waltz:

The South Wind

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/601

If you have an interest in joining us, please contact us and we'll add you to the mailing list.

The English Martyrs Church is at the Junction of Garstang Road/St Georges Road/Aqueduct Street, opposite B & Q and Wickes, near to the Unicorn Hotel.

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IRISH DANCE CLASSES: sets/quadrilles, ceili, country & couple dances, are held every Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Social Centre, Cadley Causeway, Fulwood, Preston, 7:30 – 10 p.m. They are suitable for all levels, beginners welcome, no partner necessary…