Irish Music in Cloone.

Irish Music in Cloone.

After a massive 'Anti-Jazz' rally in the town of Mohill on January 2nd 1934 Fr. Peter Conefrey, the parish priest of Cloone set about forming a ceilidhe band in Cloone. The P.P. called all local musicians to a meeting in his house and in a short time the nucleus of the famous Cloone band was established. It was a great honour for all concerned when the band was invited to audition for 2RN Radio Eireann on December 18th 1934. The broadcasting station had only opened in February of the previous year. Then on March 17th 1935 the Cloone Ceilidhe band made history when they broadcast over Radio Eireann. Among those who took part in the broadcast were: Jimmy Mc Kiernan, Jack Rourke, William Doherty, Michael M. Creegan, Tom Canning and Leo Rowsome. Newcomers to the band later were Pee Fitzpatrick, Charlie Heslin and John P. Blessing. The latter two members were in '38, '39 broadcast.

In 1937 Cloone was to feature in another broadcast over the national airwaves. The broadcast was relayed over Mr. Mc Loughlins at Main St. Ballinamore.As was the occasion with the previous events the event was eagerly awaited. With an average of only one radio set to each townland there was huge demand for seats in that particular kitchen on the night! Many localstook part besides the Ceilidhe band with singers from Mohill, the Cloone School Choir and also a singer from Carrick-On-Shannon.

On January 4th 1939 the Cloone Ceilidhe Band made their final broadcast. The program was described as being 'first class'. The broadcast was received far and wide and letters of congratulations were received from as far away as England and Scotland.
Cloone also had a very talented flute band in this era and all the members were from the Cloone area. They were known to play around the surrounding area for special occasions like the feiseanna.