Welcome to the Home of Irish Dance, Language and Music
in Kingston, Ontario.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Harp of Tara Branch

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is a non-political, non-sectarian cultural organization founded in Ireland in 1951 to preserve and promote the music, culture and arts of Ireland. CCE now has branches throughout the world. The title of the organization translates into English as "The Society of Irish Musicians." It is referred to as "Comhaltas"or "CCÉ" for simplicity. About Comhaltas

In Kingston, Comhaltas is represented by the Harp of Tara Branch. Founded in 1978, the Branch sponsors an active program of Irish Language, Irish Social Dance, and Music, as well as a monthly Céilí and Siamsa, and Special Events. A brief listing of upcoming events, with links, is Here

Our events are open to all, all ages, and there is no charge for many of our activities.

For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle,
And the merry love to dance:

From "The Fiddler of Dooney" by W.B.Yeats

Upcoming Events Listing

Traditional Irish Ceili - Dance   February 11, 2011
Ecole Cathédrale, 301 Johnson at Barrie. See Monthly Ceili

Monthly Jam/Siamsa   Sunday, February 19, 2:00 p.m.
Kingston Brew Pub, upstairs. See Siamsa

Annual Fiddle Immersion Weekend, January 27-9, 2012

Fiddle workshops all day Saturday, 1/2 day Sunday. House Concert and Session Saturday night. Check Special Events

Music in the Schools Campaign. See Calendar

Harp Workshops and Concert. See Calendar

 

Weekly Sessions, see Music.

Weekly Dance Classes, see Dance

Weekly Language Classes.
An 'intermediate' class has been ongoing, but it's not too late to join in.
A beginners class will be starting up on Wednesdays, starting early October
If you're interested, contact Aralt

Annual Irish Language Immersion Weekend
  April 13 -15, 2012. See Gaeilge

Annual Irish Language Immersion Week
  August 12 -18, 2012. See Gaeilge

View a movie taken at the Gaeltacht Opening Ceremonies, June 16, 2007 Courtesy of Allyson Reid Bowering  Gaeltacht Opening

For a complete listing of upcoming events in Kingston and the area, check the Events Calendar

Harp of Tara would gratefully wish to acknowledge the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which provided us with a grant in 2009. This enabled us to purchase a sound system for our céilís, educational materials for our language and music programs, and has enabled us to engage in some much-needed long-term planning.

Tara is the mysterious hilltop castle that was home to Irish high kings. It actually existed somewhere in what is now County Meath from very ancient times well before the time of Saint Patrick (432) until its destruction probably in the sixth century, but in any case well before the death of High King Brian Boru on the battlefields of Clontarf (1014). In the poem, written while Ireland was still under an unwelcome British rule, Thomas Moore lets Tara symbolize the seat of Irish government and the rule of Ireland.

The harp, the traditional musical instrument of Ireland, symbolizes the Irish people, culture and spirit

The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls

by Thomas Moore (1779-1852)

The harp that once through Tara's halls
The soul of music shed,
Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls
As if that soul were fled.
So sleeps the pride of former days,
So glory's thrill is o'er,
And hearts that once beat high for praise,
Now feel that pulse no more!

No more to chiefs and ladies bright
The harp of Tara swells;
The chord alone that breaks at night,
Its tale of ruin tells.
Thus Freedom now so seldom wakes,
The only throb she gives
Is when some heart indignant breaks,
To show that still she lives.

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A Selection of Events and Activities
sponsored by Harp of Tara

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