The trio behind the project to save cherished photos and archive footage of Cornafean’s cultural life on USB: Paddy McDermott, Paddy Rudden, and George Cartwright at Cornafean GAA grounds. Photo: Damian McCarney

Rolling Back the Years: Cornafean's Cultural Story

Cornafean USB Memory Stick Launch

Damian McCarney

Published: Fri 22 Sep 2023, 2:56 PM

The night of Friday, September 22 promises to be a memorable one in Cornafean when former members of the local marching band, céilí groups and those who took part in Scór during the last 50 years gather to reminisce and celebrate. To mark the occasion a USB memory stick, aptly named ‘Rolling Back The Years,’ will be launched by the festival director of Cavan Calling Emma Clancy.

This compilation has been four years in the making and contains fabulous old video footage with accompanying text and many wonderful photographs. It traces in documentary form the phenomenal successes of the Cornafean club in Scór competitions since the early 1970s and records these achievements for posterity.

Scór Sinsir Rince Seit, County Cavan winners 2020Back: Kieran O’Reilly, Ciarán Creegan, Niall Eames, Eamonn Gaffney. Front: Mary Duignan, Maura Creegan, Lily Browne, Suzanne Millman, RIP.

Background

The background to the story covered in the lengthy introduction includes text, photographs, and footage of the famous Drumcrow War Pipers band, clips of famed musicians Packy Fay, Tommy McDermott, Packy Teevan, Dolores Green, Jimmy Cassidy, Mick Masterson, Tom Comiskey and an interview with the legendary Eugene Leddy whose band played at many functions in the old hall. It also includes footage of the Cornafean Macra na Tuaithe band which played all over the country during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are captured playing at the Belturbet Fleadh in 1978 as are some of the Cornafean Céilí Groups playing in the same town around the same era.

Original Cornafean Céilí Group circa 1979. Martin Cullen, Seamus McGahern, Kevin McDermott, Paddy McDermott (coach), Rita Martin, Vera Martin.

Achievements in Scór

The Cornafean club has had great successes in both Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir competitions as their record of achievements shows with 162 county titles, 33 Ulster titles, and 10 All-Irelands on their roll of honour. These achievements are archived decade by decade and some of them include the excitement of the club’s first ever All-Ireland success - the Scór na nÓg question-time win in the City Hall in Cork in 1984, the All-Ireland success in the novelty act in the Gaiety Theatre Dublin in 1991, the senior question-time victory in Millstreet (Cork) in 1997 and clips of further All-Ireland victories in 2004 and 2008.

There is footage of Michael McGibney’s All-Ireland wins in 2006 and 2019, and the reaction of the audience when the results were announced. The recent three-in-a-row all Ireland Scór question-time winners (2018-2020) feature with live coverage of them receiving the cup to rapturous applause from their jubilant supporters.

Cornafean ballad groups won eleven Scór na nÓg county titles in a row between 2008 and 2018 with Deirbhile McCaffrey singing in ten of these successes. There is a recording included of one of these groups singing at the All-Ireland final in Sligo in 2018. In addition there are two photographic sequences with accompanying background music - the first is of the Scór Na nÓg question time team which won eight county titles in a row (2013-2020) and another sequence gives a snapshot of the 25 overall awards won by the club. Many participants, coaches, and supporters are prominent in these photographs but alas many of them have passed to their eternal reward. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad.

Two sections are devoted to the development of traditional music from the old marching band to the formation of the Cornafean Céilí Group. The group began by competing in Grupa Cheoil competitions at the fleadhanna and in instrumental music competitions in Scór. Soon they made a name for themselves and were called upon to play for set dancers from a variety of clubs at Scór competitions. During the 1980s they were in constant demand to play at concerts and different fundraisers. There is an old recording of them playing in the Shamrock Bar (Killeshandra) in 1982 and footage of them playing in Germany while on one of their trips abroad. Another highlight featured is when they played for the victorious Cuchulainns Set Dancers in the All-Ireland in the City Hall, Cork in 1984. There are also clips of their three appearances on Trom agus Éadrom on RTÉ and on their last appearance they were joined by the Cross Mullagh Wrenboys which will bring back many memories. Another highlight is their appearance on The Late Late Show in 1984. A recording of the group playing in MacSeáins lounge on the occasion of the launch of their first CD ‘25 years on’ in 2003 is also included. The revival of traditional music in a new generation of players is also recorded notably Tom Creegan’s success on accordion and melodeon, Diarmuid Martin on banjo and Áine McGibney in story telling which augur well for the future.

Pictured right, Scór na nÓg overall award winners 1988. Back: Patricia Martin, Caroline Young, Gemma McDermott, Pauline Smith, Ultan McKeon, Rita Martin, Paddy McDermott, Damian Masterson, Geraldine Magee, Elisha Leddy, Lily Gaffney, Ann Leddy. Middle: Brian McGlade, Seán O’Reilly, Kieran O’Reilly, Brendan Geoghegan, Seamus Masterson, Art MacSeáin, Eamonn Gaffney, Adrian Harrington, Martin McCormack. Front: Teresa McGibney, Suzanne Gaffney, Caroline Maguire, Aoibhinn Miney, Ann Marie Masterson, Aisling Smith, Olivia Harrington, Darina Sheridan, Emer Sheridan.

Unique Project

Paddy McDermott, who was the driving force behind Scór in Cornafean and Cavan for years, initiated this unique project. Through his love of all aspects of our culture, his knowledge, and contacts he was able to source much of the original material. His enthusiasm kept those involved motivated and it is due entirely to him that ‘Rolling Back The Years’ has been completed.

Paddy Rudden (Arva) embraced the concept of the project from the outset and spent countless hours of tedious, painstaking work viewing and editing old videos and blending them into this USB complete with text. His technical expertise was key to compiling this story and bringing it to a successful conclusion.

George Cartwright also contributed text, old photographs, and general advice. His book Up The Reds is a valuable resource and was used for much of the earlier information. Gemma Martin sourced and designed the memory stick which is encased within a wooden protective cover. It is presented in a beautifully crafted wooded box bearing the Cornafean crest and comes with a black velour pouch which is provided for storage. It is a treasured memento which will be cherished by the families in the locality and Scór enthusiasts from elsewhere will find it very interesting.

Scór Sinsir, Killarney 2006 Back: Brian Doyle, Michael Dinneny, Tommy McGibney, Rita Martin, Sharon Mulligan, PJ McGlade, George Cartwright. Front: Rory Geoghegan, Cormac Geoghegan, Gavin McDermott, Mary Duignan, Paddy McDermott. Insets: Richard Keith RIP, Kevin GeogheganCornafean took part in three disciplines in the All-Ireland Scór Sinsir final which was held in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney in 2006. Michael McGibney won in the recitation and the Question-time and Novelty Act teams finished second.

Appreciation

The researchers are indebted to all who answered the call and contributed material such as old videos, pictures, and newspaper cuttings. Much of the old video footage was recorded by Harry Masterson and later by Pat Lee during the 1980s, 1990s and noughties. Both men have gone to their reward. May they rest in peace.

Thanks to Philip Clarke, Kilnaleck Comhaltas for his help especially during the early stages. A special thanks to technical expert Tinko Tinev, Cavan Media Productions, for his expertise and professionalism in putting the finishing touches to the project and for producing the USBs.

In the course of compiling the story those involved came across a wealth of other old footage featuring events and people in and around Cornafean. Space prohibited including everything on this USB but this old footage has been saved onto another USB which will be deposited in Cavan County Library where it can be accessed by the public in the future.

The Cornafean Culture Committee, led by Cultural Officer Pauline Duignan, would like to thank the Cavan Calling Committee for the generous grant-aid towards financing the whole project which was very welcome.

Pictured above, Cornafean Macra na Tuaithe Band 1973 Back: Gráinne Doyle, Gerry Sheridan, Packy Masterson, Tony Cox, Noel Cullen, Seamus Reilly, Aiden Kilkenny, Seamus Cullen, Thomas McKiernan, John Masterson, Brian Brady. Middle: Mary Galligan, Marie Brady, Austin Corcoran, Dympna McKiernan, Brid Kilkenny, Sheila Duignan, Mary Martin, Geraldine Donohoe, Mary Sheridan, Geraldine Mulligan, Ronnie Fitzpatrick, Connie Coyle. Front: Michael Coyle, Padraig Brady, Patricia Brady, Anne Marie Reilly, Imelda Coyle, Martina Sheridan, Eileen Masterson, Marie Coyle, Helen Martin, Mary Fitzpatrick, Padraig Martin, Declan Sheridan, Peter Sheridan, Seán McGahern, Terry Kilkenny, Peadar McKiernan, Charlie Sheridan, Seán McKiernan, Martin Cullen.

All welcome

So come along to Cornafean on Friday night for what will be a night of entertainment and reminiscing with plenty of music thrown in.

The evening begins with Mass for deceased members/precipitants in Coronea Church at 8pm. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Tom McKiernan who was the prime mover in setting up the Macra na Tuaithe band in Cornafean in the 1970s. This will be followed by refreshments and the launch of the USB memory stick in MacSeain’s. Admission is free and the USB sticks will be available for purchase on the night.