Seaside setting for international Celtic festival
The seven-day World Fleadh will kick off on Ballybunion’s cliff edge overlooking its magnificent beach on August 14.
A custom-built festival village will be built on the cliffs to accommodate up to 35 acts, including The Gipsy Kings, The Waterboys, Declan O’Rourke, Sharon Shannon and John Spillane.
The Irish Examiner-supported World Fleadh will also include theatre, marquee and outdoor concert performances by Celtic and traditional music acts including Scotland’s Capercaillie, Carlos Nunez from Galicia in Spain, and La Bottine Souriante from Canada, as well as gigs in the town’s pubs and hotels.
“It seemed unjust that professional performers who had risen to the height of their careers, championed the art of Irish music performance and continuously acted as ambassadors for their country and its music could not be celebrated at home in Ireland in the way that they are outside of Ireland,” festival director Eric Cunningham said.
“The World Fleadh sets out to dispel this notion; fill this void and will I believe, become an internationally recognised event in Ireland for the world’s greatest Irish performers and their enthusiasts over time.”
Irish dancing and music master classes will take place throughout the week and a ‘dawn chorus’ of specially composed music against the backdrop of a hot air balloon launch is also planned.
Other fringe activities include sand sculptures, a French market, craft fair, and a food fair.
Tickets are on sale from www.ticketlord.com and outlets nationwide or by calling 1850-221222.
*For information, go to www.theworldfleadh.com
