Fleadh Stories: Mullingar 'a great place for the fleadh, a great wide town'

Gerry O’Keeffe is living in Edenderry but originally from Clare. He told the Westmeath Examiner he has been playing the spoons and dancing for most of his life.

He thinks his first fleadh was in Listowel in the 1970s and he hasn’t missed one since, except the year it was held in Derry.

“This is the nearest one I ever came to,” said Gerry, who is has enjoyed “meeting people from all over, England, Ireland, Australia, the lot,” at the various fleadhanna.

“Mullingar is a great place for it. It’s a great wide town, you know. Everybody’s enjoying themselves. Ah it’s great, fantastic,” said Gerry.

Gerry spontaneously joined a session with a group of musicians from London, Down and Tyrone who come to the fleadh every year and regularly play together.

Also dancing was Michael McGilligan from Limerick.