Fleadh committee get word out about 'huge event'
The centre of Mullingar needed a bit of warming up in the cold weather of Saturday, and the Fleadh 2022 committee were the right people to do it.
They were holding an information day to keep local people up to date with developments on what will be the largest event ever in the town, and to get the word out that some 1400 volunteers are needed, as well as hundreds of rooms for visitors, and hundreds of thousands of euro in funds.
The musicians started playing outside on the square, but the biting cold forced them indoors to Market House, while the hardy volunteers who didn’t need their fingers free to play instruments stuck it out, taking turns handing out information leaflets and signing up volunteers, and free pizza courtesy of Apache (an event sponsor).
Joe Connaire, chairperson of the fleadh executive committee, said: “Things are really building for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann returning to the town where Comhaltas was founded in 1951. Everyone’s looking forward to the huge event that this is – up on half a million people will pass through the streets of Mullingar – and we’re putting out a call for volunteers to help us out.
“With the large numbers of people expected, you need help, to the tune of about 1400 volunteers – to meet and greet, to sell programmes, to give directions, to help us out in any way shape or form to hold this event and make it as big a success as we can when it comes to our town – the home of Comhaltas, the home of traditional Irish music.”
Joe said the committee are also seeking people to register accommodation, rooms or houses, and sponsorship, and on the fundraising side, the car draw was launched on Saturday as well. The draw for the Toyota Corolla Luna Sport Hybrid will be made on the closing night of the fleadh.
Information on volunteering, accommodation, the car draw and much more is available on fleadhcheoil.ie.
Joe also thanked the local volunteer committee, without whom the event could not take place.
“They’re giving up endless hours to bring this event to town, and I also want to mention the local authority, who are on board with us, and the Chamber of Commerce, who are getting behind us – and I can’t finish without mentioning the great musicians of Westmeath, and all around the country, and even the world. People are travelling from as far as Argentina, Japan, North America, the UK, to hear them, so this is a worldwide event, and we want to welcome every person who wants to come to Mullingar and celebrate with us.”
The Fleadh 5k
Enda Seery, a member of the fleadh committee, whose responsibility is the gig rig stages, youth events and CD launches, is a runner as well, and he is organising the Fleadh 5k on St Patrick’s Day.
“I’ve been involved with Mullingar Harriers since 2015, and I’ve run the Mullingar Half Marathon a few times, and Murty Hanly, the race director, kindly offered us the opportunity to do a fundraiser with this year’s half marathon, which is great.
“So we decided on a 5k, and we’re calling it the Fleadh 5k, and I suppose we’re looking at, for example, the families of people who are doing the half marathon, and who might do the 5k while they’re waiting.
“Once the last half marathon runner is off, we’re going to start the 5k. The course starts outside Danny Byrnes, goes up to the top of the town and turns right at the Dublin Bridge to the canal greenway. There’s about a two- or two-and-a-half-kilometre stretch along the greenway, then it loops back to Millmount Road, where the half marathon runners will be going as well, and then finishes up at the town park.
“It’s a nice route along the canal, so we’re hoping it’s going to be a success.
“Registration is live now online, and we’ll accept registration on the day as well.
“It’s for everyone, serious runners but it’s for families as well, if you want to walk it or run it – it’s for everyone. We’re hoping it’s going to be a good day out, and we’re very thankful to the half marathon team for allowing us to do this – it’s a good collaboration between the two committees.”
County Fleadh
Westmeath County Fleadh is being hosted by Ballymore CCÉ this year, on May 13, 14 and 15. The closing date for fleadh entries is April 1, to allow time to process all entries for the Clár (no late entries will be accepted). All members should submit their entries to their branch secretaries and non-members only can submit their entries to the county secretary.