Woman claims Offaly father's key role in Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann ignored

A woman who claims her father has been forgotten about by a group he helped set up, says she is very upset at what she perceives as the unfair treatment of her father.

Dan Cleary, was born in 1918 in Ballinamere. He dedicated his life to the promotion of Irish music and culture having bought his first fiddle from a Pawnbrokers in Tullamore for 15 shillings.

His daughter Ursula Harte says that in 1947 he founded his own band 'The Ballinamere Ceili band.' They became known as the touring band of Leinster and were extremely popular all around Ireland.

According to Ms Harte, Dan was a founder member of Cumann Ceoltoiri na hEireann. She states that, ''in 1952 Cumann Ceoltoiri na hEireann changed its name (due to restrictions laid down by the Federation of Irish Musicians) to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann as it is today.''

She says that all of the founding members of Cumann Ceoltoiri na hEireann, of which her father was one, were required to be present to sign their name for the changeover to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann.

She says her father ''set its wheels in motion in 1952, by setting up the first 3 branches under Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann (the new name) in Co.Offaly on June the 7th 1952.''

These were in Tullamore, Rahan and Ballinagar. This was one of the stipulations as a founder member of Comhaltas,'' she states.

She says that in later years he was instrumental in setting up branches in Clara, Cloghan, Tubber, Ferbane and Moate, and was also instrumental in helping to set up the Killeigh branch of Comhaltas 1968.

Ms Harte claims that when the 50th Anniversary of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann came in 2001, Dan was not invited to the celebrations or his name called out. She maintains that he has received no recognition for this contribution to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann.

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann say that while they have records of Dan Cleary attending meetings and they recognise his contribution, his name does not appear as a signatory as a founding member.

They say they have had a lot of communications from Ms Harte adding that ''Comhaltas has undertaken a thorough examination of the minutes, resulting in no evidence being found to suggest the presence of Dan Cleary at the founding meeting. This status stands, and official records of the CCÉ are upheld by the organisation.''

They continue,; ''Evidence is available to indicate that he was present at a subsequent meeting when the name-change of the organisation was discussed (but this was not the founding meeting).''

They conclude that, ''Comhaltas, at all times has recognised the contribution of Dan Cleary to the cause of Irish culture in his capacity as a musician, music teacher and Comhaltas member.''