First of 250,000 visitors arrive in town for fleadh cheoil

THE first of an estimated 250,000 people expected for this year’s 60th annual All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil have descended on Cavan town for the official opening of the event last night.

And the sound of traffic on the streets was replaced by music, as lovers of Irish traditional music and song were arriving and getting involved in impromptu street music sessions.

The All-Ireland fleadh returns where it was last held in Cavan in 1954 and is undoubtedly an internationally recognised traditional Irish cultural competitive event, which also showcases traditional music, concerts, ceilidhí, parades, pageants and street music sessions.

Apart from the fleadh itself, some 800 participants are attending Scoil Éigse – a major summer college of Irish traditional music and dance – which is also hosted by the fleadh organisers, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and running in tandem with the fleadh until Friday. The main events take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday next (August 20, 21 and 22) when in excess of 250,000 visitors are expected to arrive at Cavan.

The huge economic impact for all facets of business in the region from the event was emphasised last night by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith. “Apart from its major cultural importance, the fleadh is of huge economic benefit to the wider Cavan business sector,” said Mr Smith.

And Senator Labhrás O Murchú, ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas, in welcoming the early crowds, said this year’s fleadh was “a further milestone in the positive saga of our cultural traditions”.

He also more than adequately summed up the atmosphere in Cavan, for the days ahead, when he declared: “The fleadh is about creativity, exuberance and energy, which are manifested generously and with great skill by the performers at the heart of this unique event.”

Pubs and catering establishments in the town have made a special effort to ensure all fleadh patrons who suffer disability will get easy access to venues during the fleadh.

Meanwhile, hotels, guest houses and B&Bs in the area were totally booked out yesterday, but helpful fleadh organisers were still arranging to get “latecomers” accommodated at locations “just a few miles away”.

Sponsored by the Arts Council, a number of bands and individual performers from Europe and North America will play in various venues during the week, giving the fleadh an all-new international flavour.