About us

Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann (CCÉ)    (pronounced “kol-tus kyol-tori air-in” and which translates to “a gathering of Irish musicians”) was formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1951 to promote traditional Irish music, dance and language, and work in cooperation with other organizations to promote Irish culture.  Branches soon expanded throughout Ireland and the world.  Today there are more than 400 branches, from Argentina to Tokyo and everywhere in between.  CCÉ, a non-profit cultural organization, publishes the Treoir magazine and maintains an extensive archive of documentaries and recordings.

The Andy McGann branch was formed in 2021 and is dedicated to the support of Irish culture through sponsoring and encouraging active participation and education in traditional music (seisiuns, concerts), dance (step/figure dancing, set dancing, ceilis) and Irish language (lessons in the language).   We are proud to name our branch after Irish-American fiddle player Andy McGann, a celebrated exponent of Sligo-style fiddling, who was born in New York to immigrant parents from County Sligo.  Our branch is also a 501(c)3 non-profit organization as designated by the IRS.

Our Comhaltas branch represents northern Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in western Connecticut, as well as Putnam & Dutchess Counties in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York. 

Our 2024 - 2025 Branch Committee Officers

Chair - Nora Hanley

Vice Chair - Michael Fitzgerald

Acting Recording Secretary - Elizabeth Popiel

Treasurer - Margaret Fitzgerald

Public Relations Officer & Registrar - Julie Sorcek

Treoraí na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer) - John Feeney

Auditor - Kathy Hannigan

We are part of the Northeast Region of Comhaltas, and part of the North American Province, as well as the parent Comhaltas organization in Ireland.