It was a very special night as St. Albans Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann launched their own CD aptly named ‘Our Time’, as a celebration of Traditional Irish Music and Song, that reflects the music in St. Albans over the last 25 years, and is dedicated to the late Pat Judge, who did so much for Traditional Irish Music in St. Albans over those years.

The CD drew on over 60 musicians from this era and most were in attendance on the launch night as their music raised the roof  to play tracks from the CD to a packed hall at the Irish Centre, in St. Albans.

The night began with Ciaran McGhee, one of our youngest musicians cutting the ribbons draped over a huge copy of the CD ‘Our Time’ to launch the night under the guidance of our MC for the night John Devine.

Jim Teavan, Chairman of the Provincial Council, was one of the guests who spoke to the packed audience about his sentiments for St. Albans and their achievements over the last 25 years.

This was followed by The All-Ireland Winning Senior Ceili Band of ’89 and ’91 reunited on the night to play their track, Niall Keegan, now Director of Music at the University of Limerick, flew in to blow us away with his own brand of flute playing. Add to this Niopha Keegan singing ‘No Frontiers’ and Cherry Delacy singing ‘Song For Ireland’, interspersed with the Linane Family and their music, new young local supergroup Mise raising the roof with their own track from the CD, and bringing everything up to present day with the current music class and this years Under-15 All-Britain Winning Ceili Band to entertain us.

This was certainly a time to remember, and it culminated in guests joining in a mighty session on the floor to round off the night.

Anyone interested in purchasing an ‘Our Time’ CD, they can now be ordered by sending a cheque for £10 plus £2 p&p payable to St. Albans C.C.E. and post to OUR TIME CD, 37 Langley Crescent, St. Albans, Herts, England. AL3 5RR. Any enquiries can be made to our website e-mail address leinsterman@hotmail.com