Local boycott faces McAleese music visit

A PLANNED visit by President Mary McAleese to a new €11 million traditional music centre run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Dublin is being boycotted by the local group which developed the project.

Members of the Clontarf branch of Comhaltas, which was dissolved by its parent organisation last year, have refused to attend the event tomorrow. They have also refused to provide musicians, in the latest twist in a long-running row between the sides.

In a letter to President McAleese, the branch says it is not its intention to snub her or cause any disrespect, as the decision not to have anything to do with the new centre was taken last year.

Last week, a report commissioned by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs concluded that the impasse was damaging for Comhaltas and had implications for the success of the Clasach centre. It suggested the appointment of an independent mediator to sort out the dispute. The Minister, Éamon Ó Cuív, said his officials would explore the willingness of all concerned to engage with a mediator.

The centre was constructed on land on East Wall Road donated by Dublin City Council. Originally projected to cost €4.8 million, it is underused because of the boycott.

Comhaltas provides music tuition for 85 children at the centre, it said. The disaffected branch said it puts on classes for over 250 children in nearby school buildings.

The dispute blew up two years ago, with disagreements between Comhaltas HQ and the Clontarf branch over spending and governance, along with a €740,000 VAT rebate which was repaid to the Revenue Commissioners.

As a result, Comhaltas, led for over 40 years by Fianna Fáil Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, dissolved the branch.

A spokesman for the Clontarf branch said that it was prepared to accept “proper mediation that clears our names”. Comhaltas has said it has difficulties with mediation because of constraints imposed by its constitution.