The Kiltha Tones

Well, another excellent night organised by Con Walsh was held in O’Meara’s Ballinacurra on Saturday June 30th.  A charity night in aid of a very sick little girl called Nell, was well supported, both by prople who bought tickets in advance, and by those who attended on the night.

Among the happenings of the evening, there was line dancing, a monster draw, an auction and dancing to a musician from the area.  Con himself looked after the MC duties for the evening.  Also providing entertainment on the evening was a host of singers and musical acts, and among these were Paul Coleman, Tony McLoughlin, The Kiltha Tones, who did three numbers under the baton of Ms. Ursula Uí Thuama.  Eddie Powell sang also, as did Kathleen Woulfe and Mary Troy (not the matron).  Declan Devlin, no stranger to regulars at this hostelry once again displayed his pipe playing prowess when he gave an outstanding rendition of a number of old favourites, and received tumultuos applause as he left the stage. There were a number of other singers also, but being a blow-in and also having imbibed a number of beverages, the writer apologises for his inability to accurately name these……

A monster raffle took place next, and the Kiltha Tones were among the victorious grabbing some wine and a modest hamper.  An auction was conducted also, the man leading the proceedings was no other than local TD Mr David Stanton.  Under the Hammer, were a Painting by local artist Mr David Stanton, and Green Fees for local East Cork Gold Club.

The evening concluded with more dancing and line dancing, and the Tones were on hand at the end of the evening to ensure that everyone everyone left the hall safely.       

Things have ‘hotted up’ in the last short while, and after an excellent session in Cliffords last Saturday June 2nd, we quite a busy schedule over the next 4 to 6 weeks.  We’re having a session in Cliffords in Castlemartyr on Friday June 15th to support a local and worthy cause. The session will be the finale of a day of various fund raising initiatives.  After that we’re performing in a Gala Fundraising Evening in aid of Nell, (incorporating a Monster Draw) in O’Meara’s in Ballinacurra on Saturday June 30th.  Tickets priced at €5.00 each are available from Con Walsh (087-6898987) or Maura Milton (021-4631863) this should be a great night, and then we have a session coming up in the Guileen arms on July 14th.  In the meantime practice continues on a weekly basis, and we’re hoping to ‘return to our roots for another concert in Mogeely later in the summer. 

Check back again for more updates, and be sure to check out out website:  http://www.kilthatones.info.  

To be honest, it’s been quiet since Germany.  We’ve had the AGM and the officers were re-elected with two new members added on.  We’ve begun to be a little more active as we prepare for a possible concert appearance, the possibility of a wedding at the end of the year, an inkling of another concert during the summer months, a weekend away and an ‘event’ at the tail end of the year, not forgetting the possibility of another song contest in the run up to Christmas and the Christmas night out, and sure a plan for the next spring break.  Looks like we might be busy!! 

Things are hotting up now, as we approach the final heat of the Midleton Hospital & Kiltha Tones Talent Contest.  With four of the five heats now completed, it only remains for the audience –who are the judges of this contest - to choose another two contestants to compete in the Final on December 16^th.   
Heat number four of the contest was held on Saturday night last, The format for the show which regular attendees are familiar with at this stage, was that each contestant performed twice; once in each half of the show.  The winning contestants who qualify for the final are chosen by audience voting.  The MC was Liam Finnerty once again, and he conducted the show with his usual ‘panache’, and once again everything ran smoothly.  The raffle once again was a great success, and thanks a million to our many sponsors who generously supported the cause by contributing spot prizes for the raffles.  Your support is very much appreciated.  The contestants for Heat Four were; Maura Dennehy, Muriel McCann, Mary O’Farrell, Barbara McGrath and Bill Shields.
When each of the performers had finished their second contribution, the audience voted using the ballot papers they received as the arrived at the contest, and as soon as the audience had concluded their deliberations, the ‘ballot papers’ were collected and counted with the assistance of an independent adjudicator from the audience. 
After the raffle was concluded, the multi talented MC sang a couple of songs while the votes were counted.  Liam then announced the names of the two contestants who received the most votes from the audience. They successful contestants from Heat Four are Barbara McGrath and Bill Shields, and congratulations, and best of luck to both of them in the Grand Final on December 16^th.   
The final heat will be held on Saturday night next December 2nd, and if you fancy a go, this is your last chance.  To enter, call Con Walsh now on 087-6898987, or come along to O’Meara’s bar in Ballinacurra on the night, and make yourself know to Con, Pat O’Meara, Liam Finnerty or any of the Kiltha Tones, and we’ll try our best to accommodate you.  You can also email us at kiltha.tones@gmail.com with your contact details, and we’ll get back to you.  
Finally, if you know anyone who might be interested in taking part, please let them know about the contest, and give them our details.  Wouldn’t €300 and a piece of Crystal, be a nice start to the Christmas season?? 
http://www.kilthatones.info   

The standard of talent on show at the second heat of the Kiltha Tones/Midleton Hospital Talent Contest was excellent once again on Saturday night in O’Meara’s in Ballinacurra.
The contestants for the second heat were: Denis Fitzgerald, Ann Higgins, Tom Flavin, Noreen Dillon and Pat Kearney.  Once again a great audience turned up for the show, and all took their voting duties seriously, and were generous in their support when the raffle tickets were sold at the intermission. 
The format for the show was that each contestant performed twice; once in each half of the show.  And the qualifiers for the final are chosen by audience voting.  It was great to see our first non-singer also, as we had Noreen Dillon who had the crowd in stitches with her jokes.  The MC was Liam Finnerty once again, and he conducted the show without a single hitch.  The raffle once again was a great success, and thanks a million to our many sponsors who generously supported the cause by contributing spot prizes for the raffles.  Your support is very much appreciated.
As soon as the contestants had finished their performing, and the audience had concluded their deliberations, the ‘ballot papers’ were collected and counted with the assistance of Kathleen Woulfe who acted as independent adjudicator this week.  At the same time, the raffle took place, and the lucky winners were; Brendan McSweeney, Helen Casey, and the very lucky Rose O’Brien who won two prizes.
We had some dancing at this stage, and another fine display of Line Dancing from a bunch of talented local ladies.  Our MC Liam then announced the names of the two contestants who received the most votes from the audience. They are Tom Flavin, and Ann Higgins, and congratulations to them, and best of luck to both of them in the Grand Final on December 16^th.  Interestingly, we will now have a father and son competing against each other in the Final, so things are starting to look exciting already!!!
Heat 3 will be held on Saturday night next November 18th, and if you fancy your chances, why not call Con Walsh on 087-6898987, or come along to O’Meara’s bar in Ballinacurra, and make yourself know to Con, Pat O’Meara or any of the Kiltha Tones, and we’ll look after the rest. You can also email us at kiltha.tones@gmail.com with your contact details, and we’ll get back to you. Also if you know anyone who might be interested in taking part, please let them know about it, and give them our details.  Wouldn’t €300 and a piece of Crystal, be a nice start to the Christmas season?? 
http://www.kilthatones.info   

                                                                                                                        06-Nov-2006

The first heat of the Midleton Hospital/ Kiltha Tones Talent Contest was held on Saturday Night last in O’Meara’s in Ballinacurra.

Backing music on the night was ably provided by Pat Daly on guitar, and with Liam Finnerty as MC, the whole evening went off without a hitch.

Each member of the audience received a ballot paper as they arrived, and were allowed one vote for their chosen contestant.  The voting process was explained in detail by Liam.

The Contestants for Heat 1 were:  Vincent Noonan, Barney McCarthy, Cal Flavin, John Delaney and Paul Coleman, and all contestants performed twice, once in each half of the show. 

During the intermission, raffle tickets were sold, and the multi-talented MC, Liam, entertained with a song.  Several members of the audience also took to the dance floor for a few waltzes and quick-steps.  And we even had an exhibition of line-dancing. 

Liam got the proceedings underway again, and at the conclusion of the second half, the audience completed the voting, and the votes were collected and counted.  A member of the audience was chosen at random to act as independent adjudicator for the counting process.  While the counting was being conducted the winning raffle tickets were drawn, and the Winners were as follows:  1^st Jane O’Connell, 2^nd Pierce Smyth, 3^rd Stella McCarthy, and 4th Teresa Ahern.   

The two qualifiers from heat one of the contest are: Cal Flavin and Barney McCarthy.  Both Cal and Jim will compete again in the Final on December 16th

The night ended with more dancing, and an impromptu song from a number of the Kiltha Tones who were present.

The next Heat will be held in O’Meara’s in Ballinacurra on Saturday Night next, November 11^th.   More information from Con Walsh on 087-6898987 or O’Meara’s Bar Ballinacurra, or just turn up on the night and make yourself known to Con or any of the organizers. 

Thanks to O’Meara’s and Heineken for the sponsorship, and to all who attended and contributed to this worthy local cause.

Below is our calendar of events from now until February 2007.