THOUSANDS OF traditional performers and music lovers have flocked to Tullamore in Co Offaly for the start of the 59th annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann yesterday.
With an estimated 230,000 visitors set to descend on the town over the coming days, the 2009 fleadh is expected to inject €25 million into the local economy between August 16th and 23rd.
Translated from Irish, “fleadh means festival, and the all-Ireland fleadh is the pinnacle of all fleadhanna, it’s one great big traditional party”, said Tullamore Fleadh committee chairwoman Attracta Brady.
Currently the largest cultural festival in Europe, the success of the event lay in its inclusive nature, she said. “It’s a very participatory event where everybody is welcome to come along and sing and dance.”
Organisers held Fun sa Pháirc, the first event of the fleadh, yesterday. The occasion was attended by young and old with entertainment provided by the Skibbereen Comhaltas Plearacha na nÓg all-Ireland champions.
With the focus firmly on family entertainment, Fun sa Pháirc included face-painting, games and a display section by the Miniature Horse and Pony Society of Ireland.
Ms Brady said tradition and inclusion were the true ethos of the fleadh. “It’s not ageist, an 85-year-old and a five-year-old can play together in a session, something you wouldn’t even see in sport.”
For many of the participants, the fleadh has a more competitive nature and offers a chance to win a coveted all-Ireland title in their respective fields. The cream of traditional Irish musicians, storytellers, dancers, céilí bands and ballad singers will compete at the highest level, having qualified in regional fleadhanna earlier in the year. There are currently 415 branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann throughout the globe.
For others, the fleadh offers the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument, sing a song or tell a story. Hundreds of children will be taught traditional skills during the week as Scoil Éigse gets under way in Tullamore.
Mr Brady said interest this year was “bigger than ever” and accommodation within a 20-mile radius of Tullamore is booked out.
The financial benefit to the town is not lost on chairman of Tullamore Town Council, Tommy McKeigue. “Someone described it as three Christmases rolled into one as far as the business people are concerned,” he said.
“It’s a big lift now, particularly with the downturn in the economy. Things have been quiet in the last couple of months,” the councillor added. He said the event also promoted community involvement and volunteerism. Bylaws preventing the consumption of alcohol on the street will be lifted during the eight-day event and gardaí will implement a major traffic plan. Large portions of Tullamore will be pedestrianised on the final weekend of the fleadh.
There are a “couple of hundred volunteers” working behind the scenes to make sure there are no hitches for the 10,000 performers and 130 competitions. These competitions will take place in 24 venues around Tullamore.
Fleadh organisers are hoping to break a world record for the largest traditional session next Friday, when more than 3,000 musicians are to play together in Market Square in the town.