First Ever Irish Language Battle of the Bands a Great Success

dublin | arts and media | opinion/analysis Thursday February 23, 2006 20:44 by An Feirsteach - Feachtas feachtas2 at eircom dot net 10 Sráid na Mainistreach Íochtarach 01 8786424

The first ever Battle of the Bands ‘as Gaeilge’ or Cath na mBannaí as it was entitled, was held on Wednesday night, 22 February @ St. Finbar’s GAA Club in Cabra. Heavy Metal Band Pariah from Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan were up against rival Indie Band, EBO from Coláiste Mhuire in Cabra. After a hard fought battle it was EBO who came out the other side, the triumphant victors. However, in true sportsmanship they applauded their rivals, Pariah and wished them well in the future.

The event which was organised by the Irish language youth organisation Feachtas, in conjunction with Na Gaeil Óga, who organised the protest outside Fine Gael Headquarters against Enda Kenny’s statement on the Irish language in the education system.

The first prize for the winning band included a trophy and an opportunity to play at CRAICFEST in the POD , on the 28th February. The event is organised by Na Gaeil Óga and USI.

CRAICFEST will consist of a Kick-Ass County Colours Céilí (county & club GAA jerseys recommended), the winners of Cath na mBannaí and the legendary, Belfast based Irish-language Reggae band, Bréag, followed by a funky DJ set.

Seán Ó hAdhmaill, Development Officer for Feachtas said that “We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the performances and the avid interest shown by local young people, to the mainly Irish Bands. On the phenomenal success of Wednesday’s event we plan to organise another bigger and, if possible, better Battle of the Bands before the end of the school year, with more bands and young people involved. We are planning on making this an annual event that will give young Irish musicians an opportunity and a platform to show off their talent”.

“I’d like to thank the Feachtas clubs in Coláiste Mhuire and Coláiste Eoin, the staff in both schools, Na Gaeil Óga, St. Finbar’s GAA Club for making this event possible.”

Feachtas, Óg-Ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge is a voluntary youth organisation, and is funded by the Youth Affairs Section of the Dept. of Education. Feachtas organises a wide range of recreational activities for young people through the medium of Irish throughout the year, including debates, table quizzes, trips, and arts and drama workshops through a national network of youth clubs and after-school groups.

1ú Chath na mBannaí Feachtas 2006

Bhí an chéad Chath na mBannaí de chuid Feachtas ar siúl ar an gCéadaoin, 22 Feabhra 2006 i CLG Naomh Fhionnbharr i gCabrach i mBaile Átha Cliath. Bhí an ghrúpa ceoil mhiotal throim, Pariah ó Choláiste Eoin i Stigh Lorgan i gcoinne an grúpa ceoil Indie, EBO, ó Choláiste Mhuire i gCabrach. Tar éis an chath throim throidte b’iad EBO a tháinig amach mar bhuaiteoirí sa deireadh. I léiriú an-aibí d’iarr phríomh-amhránaí EBO ar an tslua bualadh bos mhór a thabhairt do Phariah as a n-iarracht iontach.

Eagraíodh an imeacht seo ag an óg-eagras Gaeilge, Feachtas, i gcomhair leis Na Gaeil Óga, a d’eagraigh Comhdháil Óige in Ollscoil na Tríonóide le déanaí.

Ba í chéad duais an “chaith” ná deis seinm ag gig sa POD, dar teideal CRAICFEST atá á eagrú ag Na Gaeil Óga agus i gcomhair le USI, ar an Máirt an 28 Feabhra 2006.

Ar chlár na hoíche sin beidh Cic-Ass Céilí na gContaetha (le geansaithe CLG, idir chontae & chlub), ansin seinnfidh buaiteoirí Chath na mBannaí agus an sár-bhanna ceoil reggae Gaelach as Béal Feirste, Bréag. Críochnóidh an oíche le seit DJ Func.

Dar le Seán Ó hAdhmaill, Oifigeach Forbartha de chuid Feachtas, “Bhí an-áthas orainn le ard-chaighdeán na mbannaí agus an tacaíocht a léirigh muintir na háite agus scoláirí Choláiste Mhuire agus Eoin. Ar dhroim rathúlacht na hoíche tá sé de phlean againn cath na mbannaí eile níos mó agus níos fearr (más féidir) a reáchtáil le grúpaí as go leor scoileanna eile. Tá I gceist againn imeacht bliantúil a dhéanamh as seo, ag a dtabharfar deis agus ardán do cheoltóirí Gaelacha a dtallann a léiriú.

“Go pearsanta, ba mhian liom buíochas a ghabháil le clubanna Feachtas i gColáiste Mhuire agus i gColáiste Eoin, an fhoireann sa dhá scoil, Na Gaeil Óga, CLG Naomh Fhionnbharr as cinntiú go mbeadh rath ar an imeacht seo.”