Rent Increase for Museum and Pipe Band slashed

The newly revamped Carnegie Hall
The newly revamped Carnegie Hall

Last weeks Corkman newspaper reported on Cork County Council backing down from a huge 10,000% rent increase for Millstreet Museum and Millstreet Pipe Band in the newly refurbished Carnegie Hall. The article can be read here, but below is an extract:

THERE was a slice of very welcome news” at the Kanturk Area meeting this week when senior official Aidan Weir said that Millstreet Pipe Band and the Millstreet Museum could remain in situ at the revamped Carnegie Hall for a “nominal rent”.

At a previous meeting in September, Cllr Noel Buckley (FG) lamented an increase being put on both voluntary organisations and said the rental asking price of €6,400 was just not a reality.

Despite Mr Weir dishing out bagloads of disappointing news to councillors who wanted potholes fixed and lighting put in place, he was able to deliver a slice of very welcome news.

He said he met with other officials and it was unanimously decided that both groups do Trojan work in their community and they would now only have to pay a nominal rent.

“At last, some good news,” said the chairman of Kanturk Area Meeting Cllr Noel Buckley.

Caitlin Houlihan – All Ireland Solo Junior Piping Champion

Caitlin Houlihan Cullen Pipe Band, won the All Ireland Solo Junior Piping Competition held recently in Dublin
Caitlin Houlihan Cullen Pipe Band, won the All Ireland Solo Junior Piping Competition held recently in Dublin

Caitlin outperformed a field of 36 pipers from Ireland and Scotland. Caitlin, who also won the All Ireland Under 14 now adds the much coveted All Ireland Junior Cup to her list of prizes. She will now move into a higher grade and will compete in at Intermediate level.  This is the second Houlihan name to go on the cup with her sister Margaret having won it in 1999.

Pipe Band at Béal na mBláth 2009

Millstreet Pipe Band attending the 2009 Commemoration Ceremony at Béal na mBláth where this year the weather was so very wet
Millstreet Pipe Band attending the 2009 Commemoration Ceremony at Béal na mBláth where this year the weather was so very wet (All pics by Seán Radley)

Video: Mary Robinson at Michael Collins Oration Beal Na Blath 2009

The Millstreet pipe band can  be heard and seen playing at the start of this video

[read more …] “Pipe Band at Béal na mBláth 2009”

Rent Reduction sought for Museum and Pipe Band

NoelBuckley_small
Noel Buckley

Councilor Noel Buckley last week was asking county council officials to reduce the rents for our Museum and our Pipe Band who both have rooms in the Carnegie Hall. Apparently the rent for these rooms is €6,500 each per year which seems like an exorbitant amount for local groups that have given so much to the community for such a long time.

It would be a great relief to both organisations to have that burden off their backs. The move was thankfully supported by other councilors from the Kanturk region. But why this was not sought in the last few years when it would more than likely have been granted remains a mystery. update 9 Oct: Found out that the increase was only upped from a nominal fee once they had been moved out of the Carnegie Hall for the year because of refurbishments.

You can read the full article on the Corkman newspaper.

Cullen Pipe Band Co Cork – 6th Prize in WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

by

Hugh O’Keeffe

On Saturday the 15th August 2009 the Cullen Pipe Band under the Pipe Major of Con Houlihan took part in the World Pipe Band Championships 2009 held in Glasgow Scotland. The band competed against 29 other bands from all over the World in Grade 3A. All members competed brilliantly and the band was rewarded with 6th place and was presented with the Corby Cup. Most members had been in Glasgow since the previous Wednesday the 12th of August in preparation for the weekend. Members took part in twice daily practices and this takes up a lot of dedication and effort so we thank all members for their great dedication and effort.

We also wish to thank all those who traveled over with the band to support them during the week. We also wish to thank those members who did not compete on Saturday but were present in other major completions during the year

[read more …] “Cullen Pipe Band Co Cork – 6th Prize in WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS”

British Pipe Band Championships 2009

Cullen Pipe Band.jpg

The Cullen Pipe Band on the 27th of June 2009 competed in the British Pipe Band Championships 2009 in Bandbridge Co Down. The band came 7th out of 24 competing bands.
Back Row (Left to Right) Alan Grace, Andrew Stainthorpe, Arthur Bass, Sean Maloney, Con houlihan, Robert Moriarty, Alan Moriarty, Hugh O Keeffe. Front Row (Left to Right) Margaret Dunn, Tommy Carroll, Conor Sinclair, Ursula O Keeffe, Caitlin Houlihan, Aishling O Riordan, Katelyn Murphy, Brian Kenny, Collette O Connor (pic. Hugh O Keeffe, PRO Cullen Pipe Band)