The Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Col-tus Ceol-tori Erin) also known as the Irish Musician’s Association, is the world’s largest cultural organization involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and song. The Comhaltas (Col-tus) as they are commonly known, is a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world, including 70 in North America. The local chapter here in Rochester was founded in 1986, and is named the Tom Finucane Branch, after a beloved former local musician.

Members have been working for the cause of promoting Irish music since the organization’s founding in Ireland in 1951. Each week throughout the year you can find the Comhaltas holding Irish music jam sessions, Irish Country Dance (set dancing) workshops and flute, fiddle and accordion classes. They have also held an annual Traditional Irish Music Workshop Day for the last sixteen years at Nazareth and St. John Fisher Colleges. At all of these events the musicians share tunes, songs, and dances that are open to all levels. In addition, the Comhaltas sponsors concerts with musicians from Ireland, as well as Irish American musicians. They also hold Ceili (kay-lee) Dances several times a year. These Ceilis are old-time Irish parties with live music and plenty of dancing, laughter, and Craic… an Irish word for a great time!

We are proud to recognize the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann as the Honorary Marshal for the
2017 TOPS Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade.