'Sense of community is phenomenal'

Fleadh volunteers Olive McDonagh and David Savage said the event had been triumphant in bringing people together, and in keeping our culture alive.

“For me it’s been great to see the town so busy and to see so many families out,” said David.

“It’s a family friendly event, and myself and Olive were just discussing that it’s so nice to see so many of the younger generation keeping our culture alive.

“And as native Mullingar people as well, it’s wonderful to see the town in its best light. It’s been a very positive experience for me.”

Olive agreed: “Even in the lead-up to the fleadh, the meetings, the preparations – the sense of community has been phenomenal. Myself and David hadn’t seen each other since school, we were in primary school together in St Kenny NS, and it’s been great to catch up again.

“But even in the fleadh office, the mood everywhere has been amazing. I was at a céilí last night and seeing the volunteers and people from all over, coming together, there’s just this sense of life force that I believe the town will reap the rewards of for many years to come.”

David says Mullingar has proven that it can hold its own in comparison to other towns.

“Mullingar isn’t on the tourist track really, but to see people come from all over the country to here and, I think, being pleasantly surprised at what the town has to offer, has been terrific,” said David.

“I was talking to a man from Mayo this morning and he said ‘It’s a lovely town, it’s great, all the industry around it and there’s no dereliction,’ so it’s definitely as good, if not better than most of the towns that I would see. There’s a lot to be proud about as Mullingar people.”

Olive said she chose to volunteer for the week to “give something back”.

“I run a small business outside of town called Butterfly Cottage Retreat, I’m hosting people who have come to stay for the fleadh for the whole week, and this was my way of giving back. It’s a win-win for the local community and for businesses,” she said, while David, who works as a customs and excise consultant in Dublin, booked holidays to volunteer his time.

“I took the week off especially and I did so last year as well. I’m on the board of the Chamber of Commerce here in town, so I believe it’s very important to give something back.”

The pair chatted about the numbers of people in attendance being up, on last year, and talk eventually turns to the weather, which at the time of writing on Thursday last, looked “iffy enough” for the night ahead.

“If it’s raining,” said Olive, “just head into the céilís, we had the best night ever last night, and there’s so many things happening indoors that if it does rain, people can’t but enjoy themselves despite the weather.”