Loch Lao Traditional Music Society
The Loch Lao Traditional Music Society (LLTMS) is a charitable organisation based in Belfast and the Greater Belfast Area, dedicated to the promotion of Irish Traditional music and song. Tá súil againn go mbainfidh tú sult as as an suíomh seo, bí i dteagmháil linn!
Fleadh Uladh 2010
Loch Lao enjoyed a wonderful Fleadh Uladh 2010 in Castlewellan. There were lots of medals but pride of place has to go to our 12-15 Grúpa Ceoil who got first place with what the adjudicator described as a flawless performance. Our 15-18 group also were in the medals with a very respectable 3rd place and although our u12 group didn't get placed this year, they gave an excellent performance that pleased us all. In terms of other Loch Lao medals, in 15-18 we had Catherine McCullagh who got 2nd place in the flute slow air and Richard Allen who got 3rd place in harp. In 12-15, our trio of Caoimhe Flanagan, Bronagh Muldoon and Liam McCullagh got 1st place. Róisín McCloskey got 1st in miscellaneous and 3rd in tin whistle slow air, Caitlin Bloomer got 2nd in miscellaneous, Liam got 1st in uilleann pipes slow air and 2nd in uilleann pipes dance, Bronagh got 3rd in harp. In u12, our duet of Niamh Bloomer and Niall Dynan got 2nd place, Niamh got 1st in fiddle dance, 3rd in fiddle slow air and 3rd in harp, Niall got 2nd in tin whistle slow air and Rose McCullagh got 3rd in tin whistle slow air. As well as all of the excitement of the competitions, there were lot's of Loch Lao musicians enjoying the fun of the fleadh, gig rig, parades and taking part in some great sessions. See you all in Cavan for lot's more!The Night Before Ulster 2010
It's that time again when we bring all the Loch Lao Ulster Fleadh competitors together including our 3 Grúpaí Ceoil to perform in what can only be described as a tradtional music extravaganza! Details are opposite under events. We need as many Loch Lao members, friends and families as possible to attend this event. Not only is it an excellent preparation for our young competitors but it is also a very important event for fundraising to support our Fleadh Cheoil activities. Feicfidh me ansin sibh!
Loch Lao kicks off summer in style
Summer has started for Loch Lao with some well attended events. We have had the Loch Lao singers getting together in An Chultúrlann to add to their repertoire of tradional songs, Gary Johnston covered two songs from the English language tradition including the very popular Spancil Hill. Micí Mac Cú Uladh did the popular Donegal Gaeltacht song, A Stór, A Stór, A Ghrá. We have also had our last family session in An Chultúrlann before the summer break, this was very well attended with a wide range of musicians and instruments. Next event for your diary is the Night Before Ulster Concert, Thursday, 22nd July, details in events page. This promises to be an excellent evening of the best in Irish traditional youth talent. Bigí ann!
Loch Lao Spread in the Andersonstown News
Loch Lao's recent success in winning first place in all three group competitions at Fleadh Cheoil Aontroma 2010 has had the local press buzzing. Click here to see the spread in the Andersonstown News. Also check out the Gallery for photographs of our groups, duet, trios and cup winners.
Fantastic Antrim Fleadh Success!
Click here for list of Loch Lao medal winners at Fleadh Aontroma 2010
Well folks what can I say?!! What a brilliant achievement for Loch Lao - a treble in the Grupai Cheoil, coming first in the Under 12, the 12-15 and the 15-18! Congratulations to each and everyone of you. You can all be very proud of your performance today.
Congratulations also to all our musicians who performed in solo, duet and trio competitions.
I'd like to thank our musical directors Patrick and Bronagh, all the fleadh team members, all the parents & families and of course all our musicians for their hard work and dedication.
Check out the photographs on the gallery!!
Gary Johnston - Chairman
Fleadh Groups Away Day and Evening
We are looking forward to our next U12 and 12-15 Fleadh group away day on Saturday May 8th at Greenmount college, Antrim from 12 to 4pm. A meal will be available from 415pm, please contact Kieron Flannery or Elaine Doherty on Monday night at St Gall's if you would like to join us for this meal. The 15-18 group are having an away evening at the Carsons house on Friday May 7th. For more information, speak to Philip O'Hara on Monday night at St Gall's. Finally, every Fleadh group member needs to have a Loch Lao polo shirt, if you don't yet have a shirt or need a larger one then speak to Maria Muldoon on Monday night at St Gall's.
Loch Lao Piper plays with Dublin Youth Orchestra
One of our Loch Lao pipers, Liam McCullagh, was invited to play with the Dublin Youth Orchestra at their Spring Concert in Artane in Dublin on Saturday, 24th April. Liam played the piping solo in their Riverdance piece, it was standing room only in the concert hall and he was very well received. We are looking forward to closer links between Loch Lao and the Dublin Youth Orchestra in the future. Click here to see how Liam got on.Loch Lao Traditional Singers Update
Our recent traditional singing workshop on 7th March in An Chultúrlann turned out to be a great success. We had a total of 18 singers, a few of whom were new to Loch Lao. It was also great to see some of our younger members there.
We had three great tutors on the day, Eamonn Ó Faogáin, Róisín McCann and Breandán Ó Fiaich who taught us the following three songs; Sliabh Gallen Brae, Eibhlín a Rúin and An raibh tú ag an gCarraig. Loch Lao is very grateful to Eamonn, Róisín and Breandán for giving up their time. We hope they enjoyed the experience as much as we did!
Following on from our workshop the Loch Lao Singers had their first public performance at our fundraising concert on 19th March when we sang an excellent rendition of Sliabh Gallen Brae to a full house. Well done to all! Check here on Loch Lao Singers and listen for yourself. Also take a look in our photo gallery.
Our next workshop will be very soon, so watch this space for details!
Loch Lao on Radio Ulster
Loch Lao were invited by Lynette Fay of Radio Ulster to perform on her St Patrick's day edition of Blás. This was especially fitting as our musicians were able to celebrate the great All-Ireland victory of St Gall's on the air waves just after it happened! Click here to see Fiona Donnelly (accordian), Rose McCullagh (whistle), Niamh Bloomer (fiddle) and Caitlin Bloomer (fiddle) going through the jigs they played on air.
A Fabulous St Patrick's Week Concert
On Friday night, 19th March, 730pm in St Colman's Primary School we had Loch Lao's biggest fundraising event of 2010. Along with St Colman's PA we put on a night to remember of the best in Irish traditional music, song and dance. Click on the links below to see some of the night's many highlights.
Scór na nÓg group Bodhrán solo Loch Lao Singers
Loch Lao Harpers I Loch Lao Harpers II
Marcas Ó Murchú I Marcas Ó Murchú II
Loch Lao Stars on Féile FM
Loch Lao chairman, Gary Johnston and musicians Fiona Donnelly (accordian), Matthew O'Hara (flute) and Eimear Johnston (tin whistle) have been on Féile FM this evening (25th Feb) playing lot's of good music and letting all of Belfast know about our history and forthcoming events. Click on the links below to hear the latest Loch Lao trad stars on the air waves!
Mason's Apron Set Intro to Musicians Rights of Man Loch Lao History
Road to Lisdoonvarna Blarney Pilgrim
Details of Loch Lao's First Traditional Singing Workshop
Our first traditional irish singing workshop will take place on Sunday, 7th March in An Chultúrlann on the Falls Road. Loch Lao is organising this event in partnership with Belfast's new Irish traditional singing group, "Béal go Béal" with whom our good friend Éamonn Ó Faogáin is a founding member. The workshop will last from 2 to 4pm and the plan is to split the attendees into three groups with three separate singing classes running simultaneously. Each singing class will last for about 30 minutes and all three groups will attend each of the classes. The last 30 minutes will be a chance for everyone to come together and sing the songs as a group. Two of the songs will be in Irish, "Eibhlín a rún" and "An raibh tú ar an gcarraig" and one in English, "Sliabh Gallen Braes." Please note that it is not necessary to be an Irish speaker to learn the songs in Irish as they will be taught phonetically. The cost for Loch lao members to attend this event will be £2 and we are asking those interested to register before Monday 1st March by texting their details to Micí on 07966 023 30.
Loch Lao Join St Gall's GAC for their Centenary Concert
Loch Lao musicians provided the music for what turned out to be a wonderful night at St Gall's Centenary Concert in the Waterfront, 12th Feb 2010. This was a milestone celebration event for St Gall's and we were all proud to be part of it. Well done to all who took part. Click on the links below to see some of the shows highlights.
Loch Lao Seniors, Trim the Velvet Dancers, David Cherry and Tom Tully
Loch Lao Musicians Play Féile an Earraigh
We had Loch Lao musicians playing at various venues during Belfast's Féile an Earraigh traditional music festival, Feb 2010. Click on the link below to see Lisburn based group Flax (all Loch Lao members) playing the big stage on the Friday night.
Loch Lao Membership Benefits
Hello everyone, just a reminder of 10 great benefits of being a Loch Lao Traditional Music Society member
1) Get to play at various Loch Lao concerts and events.
2) Take part in the family session on the last Friday of each month in An Chultúrlann, Falls Rd, 730 to 830pm.
3) Take part in one of the Fleadh sessions held each Monday night in St Galls, 730 to 10pm.
4) Avail of our excellent instrument loan scheme which is currently being expanded to widen the range of instruments.
5) Become part of one of our Fleadh groups and compete for Loch Lao on the county, provincial and national stage.
6) Deán dreas cainte as Gaeilge le baill eile Loch Lao, cuid mhaith a bhfuil Gaeilge den scoth acu.
7) Meet new friends, play with other musicians and learn new tunes.
8) Learn a traditional song and try it out at one of our sessions.
9) Take part in one of our very successful European music trips and represent Loch Lao on the international stage.
10) Join us on one of our visits to another traditional group with the chance to make new friends and learn more new tunes.
Gary Johnston
Chairman
