THE ALL IRELAND FLEADH
By Mary Maguire

2011 SUMMER TIME IS HERE which means a harvest of festivals to be had around Ireland, culminating with The All Ireland Fleadh – Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, August 2011.

Since the end of last year’s fleadh, musicians, dancers, singers, young and old have been busy practicing and participating in their own local and inter county Fleadh and Feis, in order to qualify to compete in what is Ireland’s yearly premier traditional festival. This year, it is being held in Cavan, Co. Cavan, from August 13th – Aug. 22nd. The Fleadh will run for 8 days. During these 8 days or so, the town of Cavan will be alive with Competitions, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions and Dancing. In fact locals and visitors (both from overseas and from Ireland itself) can enjoy “craic agus ceoil” 24/7. The Comhaltas Summer School runs for the full week before the event and the national finals for the annual Irish language conversation competition, in which all counties participate, will also be held at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Organising Committee are aiming for over 250,000 visitors and 11,000 musicians to attend this year’s event. For further information check out: http://www.fleadh2011cavan.ie

If you can’t make it to the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August, fear not, there is always music to be found all over Ireland at festivals, concerts, pub sessions etc. Below are listed some of the regional fleadhs that have yet to be held before August.

- Sligo County Fleadh. 31st May -5th June 2011 and Sligo Singing session June 1st

- Set Dancing Festival, Birr, Co. Offaly. 3rd June – 6th June 2011

- Laois Fleadh Cheoil Portarlington, Co. Laois. 4th June – 6th June 2011

- Fermanagh Fleadh, Belleek, Co Fermanagh. 9th June – 12th June 2011

- Armagh County Fleadh, Keady, Co Armagh. 10th June –12th June 2011

- Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir. Kilfenora, Co Clare. 16th June 2011–20th June 2011

- Down Fleadh 2011, Warrenpoint, Co Down.18th June – 27th June 2011

- Connacht Fleadh, Craobh Bhaile an Mhota (Ballymote, Co Sligo) 27th June 2011–4th July 2011

The Connacht Fleadh is one of the biggest musical events in the North West, and the Fleadh committee have a huge variety of festive and musical activities.