Some 400 entries in for Fleadh Cheoil an hÍarmhÍ
In the region of 400 entries, “a huge number” are in for the County Fleadh in Ballynacargy next weekend, May 10-12, and “big crowds” are expected to attend for the competitions, the gig rig and the trad sessions.
The numbers learning traditional music since the All-Ireland Fleadhs in Mullingar have nearly doubled, according to Joe Connaire, chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee and a member of the organising team for Fleadh Cheoil an hÍarmhÍ 2024.
Ballymore CCÉ have put on additional classes in various instruments and the East Westmeath CCÉ were formed in recent months in Killucan and Raharney, he said.
There has also been a surge in those learning Irish dancing, as a result of which the dancing competitions will be staged in the larger venue, Milltown Community Centre, on Friday. These competitions in set dancing, seán-nós and ceili dancing will start at 2pm and the organisers are grateful to Milltown Community Centre committee for accommodating them.
On Friday evening, in Ballynacargy NS, there will be competitions for the U10s in tin whistle and fiddle. “These are not official competitions, but we like to promote music from a young age and this gives the younger people a chance to shine,” Joe said.
On Saturday, the gig rig in the village will kick off with eight local branches of CCÉ performing between 5pm and 7pm, followed by local maestro Luke Price on stage from 7pm to 9pm.
On Sunday evening the local CCÉ branches will perform (5-7pm), followed by Ruaile Buaile (7-9pm). In addition, all local CCÉ branches will provide trad sessions in the local pubs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Sunday is the main day with competitions in all instruments. They will start strictly at 10am “because of the huge amount of competitors”, and will run all day in local venues including the school, the church, Cara Phort and Teach Ceoil, Joe said.
Refreshments will be available outside the school for anyone attending competitions.
“A lot of work goes into organising a county fleadh, organising competitions, sessions, the gig rig, barriers,” said Joe. The local committee is headed by chairperson Hazel Dunleavy; Joe Connaire is vice-chair; Linda Price is secretary; and Patricia Tyrrell is the treasurer.
“We have various other committee members that have put their shoulder to the wheel in recent months to organise this county fleadh, and the officers of the CCÉ county board have put a lot of work into the preparations too,” Joe remarked.
Duet, Trio, Grúpa Cheoil and Céili Band competitions are in the Church of the Nativity on Sunday evening, a beautiful venue to bring competitions to a close.