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The inaugural meeting of Tuosist Comhaltas branch took place over 31 years ago in Lauragh Community Centre on 22nd July 1978. The branch held Oicheanta Cheoil regularly which helped to raise funds. Within a short time tin whistle lessons were taught by Andy O'Sullivan. Later on, Pádraig Buckley gave lessons, and for the last two decades, Pádraig Moynihan from Glenflesk has been giving music lessons in both schools in the Parish.
Children from the parish have taken part in numerous competitions over the last 26 years, including Scór, Ceol an Gheimhridh, Réadóirí, Slogadh and more recently Sult na nÓg. A group of Under-14-Set-dancers won the All-Ireland set competition in Ceol an Gheimhridh in 1986, and reached the finals again 1987. The children of Scoil Réalt na Mara have won the Marching Band competition in the Killarney St. Patrick's Day Parade on several occasions in the last decade. Thank you to all the teachers, past and present, of Lauragh and Réalt na Mara schools, for all their help in encouraging and coaching the children.
The branch has participated in numerous "Welcome Home" concerts in the local parish hall during August. In the years 1998 to 2002, Tuosist branch was privileged to host the Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland ("Echoes of Erin") which featured the cream of music, song and dancing talent from the whole of Ireland.
In 2001, the Tuosist branch extended its boundaries to include Kenmare, as many Kenmare people were already members. This paved the way for the branch to host Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí at midsummer 2002, 2003 and 2004. All three festivals were a resounding success, and after a break of three years the branch successfully bid to host Fleadh na Mumhan in July 2008, and at the moment, preparations are getting underway for Fleadh na Mumhan again in July 2010, which we hope will be as enjoyable as last year.
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Tuosist/Kenmare
