Fleadh Cheoil rejects sponsorship from Shell

The organisers of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann have bowed to pressure and rejected sponsorship of the annual traditional music festival by oil giant, Shell.

The Standing Committee of Fleadh 2014, which takes place in Sligo throughout next week, took the decision at a meeting yesterday.

The committee had come under severe pressure after the Shell to Sea group strongly criticised the decision to accept sponsorship from Shell in light of the controversy surrounding its development of the Corrib Gas field off the neighbouring north Mayo coast.

Shell to Sea also claimed that Comhaltas had put President Michael D Higgins in the “awkward position” of formally opening an event sponsored by Shell. The President spoke out on a number of occasions before his election on the impact of the Shell development on local people.

The annual fleadh cheoil is the biggest traditional Irish music festival and involves 8,000 performers in 250 events. It is expected to draw an attendance of up to 250,000 to the week-long programme of concerts, sessions and competitions in Sligo next week.

But a number of those scheduled to take part in the fleadh are known to have been strongly opposed to the Shell sponsorship.

Renowned musician Gregory Daly said: “I told them that under no circumstances would I consider doing anything at the fleadh under the banner of the Shell sponsorship. But now I am glad to hear that the offer has been rejected.”

In a statement the organising committee of Fleadh 2014 said: “In keeping with the ethos of the fleadh as an inclusive, community-driven and family-focused event and to avoid any unnecessary distractions on the eve of the festival, we have respectfully decided to return the financial support received from Shell.”

In a statement yesterday evening, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd said it was disappointed by the decision and that its support for the fleadh was in keeping with its continuing investment in cultural, and community events.