RTÉ's pitch perfect partnership with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

RTÉ has partnered with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Comhaltas as the official media partner to support Ireland’s largest celebration of traditional music, culture, song and dance.

After a two-year hiatus, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann returns, and it’s coming to the town where it all started - Mullingar.

RTÉ’s support of the 2022 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is in line with its vision to champion Irish culture by captivating audiences and celebrating Ireland’s rich diversity.

As part of this collaboration, RTÉ will support Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with an extensive marketing campaign on social, broadcast and digital platforms. The campaign will span RTÉ’s television and radio channels as well as on rte.ie.

RTÉ will also bring the craic agus ceol to everyone around the country with a range of radio programmes live from Mullingar.

Ray D’Arcy will kick off celebrations with a live broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 on Tuesday August 2.

This special fleadh-themed programme will be a chance for Ray to host a myriad of fleadh all-stars including local legacy acts and headline performers, along with some of the fleadh’s world-class competitors.

On Friday August 5, RTÉ Radio 1’s The John Creedon Show will join the celebrations with a live broadcast from the town. John will also be out and about filming a new television programme for RTÉ television which will air later in the year.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta have a partnership with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that goes back decades, and they are delighted to be there again this year to broadcast live from the heart of the action.

On Thursday August 4 and Friday August 5, Binneas Béil will be presented by Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha live from the RTÉ RnaG roadcaster, An Ródaí, in the heart of Mullingar, and they’ll be back with more great live music and interviews for the listeners on Saturday afternoon too.

Don’t miss RTÉ Radio 1’s Céilí House with Kieran Hanrahan, who will be broadcasting live from the Gig Rig on Saturday August 6 at 9pm. Céilí House will also be recording the All Ireland senior Céilí Band finals on Sunday August 7 for later transmission. Lots of other musical recordings from Mullingar will feature in Céilí House programmes throughout August

Director general of RTÉ, Dee Forbes, said: “It is great to see the return of this wonderful celebration of traditional music, culture, song and dance to Mullingar and RTÉ is delighted to be there.

“We are looking forward to being part of what is a unique showcase of Irish music and culture. Best of luck to all the competitors and performers who are coming to Mullingar from all over the world and congratulations to our partners in Fleadh Cheoil and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for putting together such an impressive programme this year.”

Joe Connaire, chairman of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Executive Committee, said they are pleased to partner with RTÉ as the Fleadh returns to its roots in the town Mullingar.

“By aligning these two brands, we are fulfilling our joint commitment to sustaining and enriching Irish life with a celebration of the Irish language and traditional music.

“Organisers have been working towards this week for the last six years. The two-year setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic has made us even more determined to make sure this is one of the biggest, best and most celebratory Fleadh Cheoils ever!”

Programme highlights

Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble, Sharon Shannon, The Bridge Céili Band, Daithí Gormley, Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh, Téada, IMAR, Seamus Begley, Sean Keane and Emmet Cahill, Anúna, Kilfenora Céili Band, Damien Mullane, Moxie, ÈADAOIN, Four Winds, Meitheal Orchestra, The Blackwater Orchestra, Breaking Trad and The Full Set, to name but a few.

For more information about the concerts or to buy tickets visit fleadhcheoil.ie/events.

The event will feature two gig rigs in the town, lots of street performances and cultural events in various venues throughout the town including Scoil Éigse, a school that provides workshops, lectures and sessions during the week of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

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