Port Funding Hits Right Note with Warrenpoint Comhaltas

Financial assistance from Warrenpoint Port has hit the right note with traditional music group Warrenpoint Comhaltas.

The Warrenpoint Port Community Fund has helped the voluntary organisation, which comprises more than 250 members, to purchase new equipment that will aid its community outreach programme.

Money received from the fund has allowed the Comhaltas, which regularly performs throughout the community including in nursing homes and hospitals, to purchase new amplification equipment.

Clare Guinness, CEO, Warrenpoint Port said:

“It is very pleasing to announce Warrenpoint Comhaltas as the latest beneficiary of the Warrenpoint Port Community Fund.

“The group makes a huge contribution to our community by providing a tremendous outlet for hundreds of our young people to express themselves through music.

“We were especially attracted to their programme of events playing for some of the more vulnerable members of our community and we hope this new equipment will make these performances even more special.

“The group could not exist without the massive effort put in by a team of volunteers and on behalf of Warrenpoint Port, I wish them every future success.”

Warrenpoint Comhaltas was founded in 1975 and provides tuition in instruments including tin whistle, fiddle, accordion, banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhrán, and flute while it also promotes traditional singing in both Irish and English. 

Jimi Quinn, Chairperson, Warrenpoint Comhaltas added:

“Traditional Irish music is usually acoustic which means that when we go to nursing homes or hospitals, it can be very difficult for residents or those in attendance to hear what’s going on so this will help a lot.

“It will also assist some of our younger members, who can be shy, to project their music and will really lift their confidence.

“We have children as young as six in the group, the majority of which stay with us through to 18 and then the many of them return as tutors.

“We are a totally voluntary organisation existing on a shoestring so to receive funding like this from Warrenpoint Port is an absolute lifeline.”

Applications to the Warrenpoint Port Community Fund which is open to all groups, ranging from schools and sports teams to choirs and community centres, remain open.

Developed to support initiatives that enrich the community, social or environmental initiatives, the fund aims to improve the impact of local projects.

Funding can be applied for on a project or ad-hoc basis, allowing a wide variety of activities to receive support.

For more information about or to apply, please visit www.wordpress-497335-2099574.cloudwaysapps.com or call +44 (0)28 4177 3381.