Cé muid? Who are we?

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Bunaíodh Craobh Leamhcáin sna 90idí  i Leamhcán, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is é

aidhm na craoibhe ná ceol, amhránaíocht, rince agus teanga dhúchais na hÉireann a

chaomhnú agus a neartú, agus chun deiseanna a thabhairt dóibh siúd a mbeadh ag súil

le dlúthchairdeais agus cuimhní comhroinnte a fhorbairt tríd an gceol.

Cé go raibh an craobh ag súil le Fleadh Átha Cliath a óstáil sa bhliain 2020, scriosadh an

phlean seo le teacht na paindéime COVID-19. Cé gur lean ranganna ceoil ar líne ar

feadh tamaill, bhí deacrachtaí ag an gcraobh fanacht slán agus thit sí faoi shuan go

gairid ina dhiaidh sin.

Ar ámharaí an tsaoil, rinneadh an chraobh a athbhunú sa bhliain 2024. Agus easpa

ceoltóirí tugtha faoi deara sa Ghaelcholáiste áitúil, rinneadh múinteoir sa scoil Sinéad

Ní Dhonnchú, in éineacht le iar-chathaoirleach na craoibhe Dara MacCraith, seanbhall

Cathal Ó hEachtighearna, agus tuismitheoir díograiseach Michael Ahern, an chraobh a

athshaolú.

Cuireadh tús leis na ranganna arís i Mí Mhéan Fómhair 2024, agus faoi Mheán Fómhair na

bliana dár gcionn bhí breis is 125 baill cláraithe leis an gcraobh. Bíonn ranganna ceoil ar

siúl i gColáiste Cois Life ó 6in go 8in ar an Máirt, le ceachtanna réamh-uirlise

(polka tots), feadóige stáin, feadóige mhóir, fidle, bosca ceoil, consairtín, giotáir agus

bodhráin ina measc.

Tugtar cuireadh go minic do bhaill na craoibhe seinm sa cheantar freisin, lena n-áirítear

Féile Leamhcáin gach Meán Fómhair, Féile Ceoil na bPáistí Ruaille Buaille, agus

ceiliúradh áitiúil Lá Fhéile Pádraig. Seinnean an chraobh freisin go háitiúila ag Club CLG Na Sárséiligh Leamhcáin, Club Gailf Leamhcáin agus Club Gailf Dhá

Mhaide Leamhcáin.

Glacann baill na craoibhe páirt go rialta sna Fleadhanna Ceoil agus i gcomórtais eile

de chuid Comhaltas, agus baineann siad an-rath agus an-taithí as an

rannpháirtíocht sin. Ba mhór an onóir don chraobh le déanaí an tríú háit a bhaint

amach i gCraobh Pléaracha na hÉireann 2026, i dteannta baill CCÉ Shlí Dhála.

Craobh Leamhcáin was established in the 90s in Lucan, Co. Dublin. The aim of the

branch is to preserve and promote Irish traditional music, song, dance and language,

while also providing an outlet for the formation of lifelong friends and shared

memories through music.

In 2020, Lucan Comhaltas were to host the Dublin Fleadh; however, these plans were

scuppered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though online classes ran for a

time, the branch struggled to continue on and soon fell dormant.

However, the branch soon returned, in part due to the dearth of musicians noted by

music teacher Sinéad Ní Dhonnchú in the local Gaelcholáiste. Her efforts, alongside

those of ex-chairperson Dara MacCraith, previous branch member Cathal Ahern, and

enthusiastic parent Michael Ahern, led to the branch's revival.

Classes soon resumed with renewed interest in September 2024, with over 125 branch

members registered by the following September. With branch classes taking place in

Coláiste Cois Life from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesdays, tin whistle, flute, fiddle, bu�on

accordion, concertina, guitar, bodhrán and pre-instrumental ('polka tots') are among

the lessons currently offered.

Lucan Comhaltas are also regularly invited to perform at local community events,

including the Lucan Festival each September, the Ruaille Buaille Children's Music

Fes�val and the local St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The branch have also performed at

local venues including Lucan Pitch & Put Club, Lucan Golf Club and Lucan Sarsfields

GAA Club.

Branch members also compete at both Fleadhanna Cheoil and other Comhaltas

competitions, achieving great success and experience along the way. Recently, the

branch were honored to achieved 3rd place at the 2026 Pléaracha All-Ireland Final

alongside members from Slí Dhála CCÉ.

Grace Corrigan - Flute, Tin-Whistle, Polka Tots

Neal Corrigan - Giotar, Tin-Whistle, Mandolin

Conal Ó Maoilearca - Accordion, 

Naoise Ní Shúilleabháin - Fiddle, Set-dancing

Daragh Ó Braonáin - Banjo, Mandolin, Tin-Whistle

Elaine Keane - Flute, Tin-Whistle

Aimee Farrell Courtney - Bodhrán, Flute, 

Aisling Nic Craith - Tin Whistle

John McAndrew - Button AccordionLily O'Connor - Harp, Concertina

Bennery Quinn - Traditional Singing, Flute & Whistle

Cathaoirleach/Chairperson: Michael Ahern

Cisteoir/Treasurer: Dara Mac Craith

Rúnaí/Secretary: Sarah Barragry

& Sheena Smithers

Comhordaitheoir Ceoil/Musical Co-Ordinator: Cathal Ahern

OCP/PRO: Jacqueline McGrath

Oifigeach um Chomhlíonadh/Compliance Officer: Jacqueline McGrath

Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Osgur Ó Ciardha

Ballraíocht: Jacqueline McGrath & Karen McAndrew

Comhordaitheoir Ranga & Fleadhanna/ Class & Fleadh Co-Ordinator: Sinéad Ní Dhonnchú

Teagmhálaí Scoile/School Contact: Rónán Ó Floinn