THIS past Sunday, as the Comhaltas Ireland In Dixie weekend drew to a close, hundreds of people who had traveled in for the weekend from around the U.S. and Canada were in no hurry to leave.

Granted that the unwelcome wintry April nor’easter forced many of us to hang about longer than planned, but the relaxed and friendly nature of the gathering also created an atmosphere that made you happy to stay as well. Southern hospitality at the Westin Airport Hotel and the abundant music and dance sessions beginning last Thursday kept attendees happy and smiling the weekend long.

Also known as the annual North American Convention for the 45 branch operation of the province of North America in the U.S. and Canada, it was a critical organizational success under the leadership of Provincial Chair Helen Gannon of St. Louis by way of Limerick.

Buoyed by the good news from the Irish delegates Jim Teevan, the current president of CCE, and Seamus McCormack of

the Central Executive Committee that the Irish government investment in Comhaltas was over *7 million now, it appeared to ease the financial strain and worry about how the 56-year-old organization would carry its work of preservation and promotion of the music into the future.

In particular, Seamus McCormack of Co. Sligo shared details of the Meitheal Program underway in Ireland which led to the developmental program and new resource centers around the country to assist that work along with a new website (www.comhaltas.ie).

Many of you know the Irish term Meitheal from its rural connotation of family and neighbors coming together at harvest time or in times of need to share the agricultural work, and to do so in a manner that reflects their common humanity and regard for one another.

Given the challenges that many Irish organizations in this country face, it is truly time for them to be thinking how to work together as their numbers grow smaller due to more limited immigration and aging population.

It was good to know that CCE in Ireland, which long benefited from the monetary support of America for over 35 years, recognizes its obligation to return the favor, and that they need to be supporting the work of Comhaltas over here in a more significant financial way as well.

If the Meitheal concept draws on the past for inspiration, then the future looks to be in good hands musically if the presence of Ceoltoiri na Sionnaine was any barometer. Twenty youngsters under the leadership of Majella Bartley, the young officer on Ireland’s Central Executive Committee from all over Munster, attended the weekend after raising funds themselves to make the journey to Atlanta from Shannon.

Throughout the weekend they made a greater impression as the days went by through their performances of Munster songs, tunes and set dances that paired an academic interest and focus with the artistic. By the time they closed the weekend at the farewell Sunday ceili, they left a mighty impression on the older Irish audience who cheered their efforts all weekend with a genuine pride and appreciation.

It certainly isn’t the case that youth is wasted on the young with these fine exponents of the Irish arts, and it will also be a primary focal point on the convention in Parsippany, New Jersey next March 27-30.

It has already been christened “The Bridge to the Future” reflecting the pollination and flowering of the massive amount of teachers and talent among the younger generation in the greater New York area. With hotel registration opening at the Parsippany Hilton on May 1, you will want to book your room now. Stay tuned to www.cceconvention2008.org for updates.

(In the interest of disclosure, I am the public relations officer for CCE North America and co-chair for the New Jersey convention along with Tom Vesey).