Tullamore was proud of its second hosting of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, writes Eoghan MacConnell
INTERMITENT RAINFALL failed to dampen spirits at the 2008 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore over the weekend as even Taoiseach Brian Cowen was persuaded to sing in Offaly once again.
Cowen was greeted with rapturous applause on Saturday when he sang Paddy's Green Shamrock Shoreon the Fleadh's main stage.
On Friday, the Taoiseach had used a bodhrán to begin the world's largest traditional session when 2,852 registered musicians played for 56 minutes at O'Connor Square in the town.
The 2008 fleadh was hailed as a success by organisers who said figures were up on the previous year.
Chairwoman of the fleadh's organising committee Attracta Brady estimated visitor numbers were in excess of the 230,000 who attended last year's event.
"The numbers of competitors on all the venues are up on last year," she said.
Visitors and competitors from America, Australia, throughout Europe and the 32 counties arrived in Offaly for the fleadh over the past week.
While numbers were up, gardaí said yesterday that there had been little trouble in the town, comparing the small number of public order arrests to that of a normal weekend.
The Garda implemented a traffic plan for Tullamore on Friday, pedestrianising the main streets and Tullamore's two main squares.
The response from visitors and musicians alike has been so positive that Attracta Brady believes Tullamore could have the fleadh for a third year.
"We are thrilled with the fleadh in Tullamore. It has become a natural home for it and I am looking forward to holding it again in Tullamore if the opportunity arises," she said.
Tullamore has officially applied to hold the fleadh in 2009 and organisers' hopes were bouyed by comments from Comhaltas chief Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú. He told the crowds that he had already booked accommodation in Tullamore for 2009, Brady explained.
Fleadh organising committee PRO Karen O'Grady was also hopeful of seeing the fleadh return for a third year.
She believes Tullamore is the ideal location for the event: "Tullamore has once again extended a céad míle fáilte to visitors and competitors," she said.
"The reaction has been very positive, despite the weather yesterday [Saturday]. Everybody I have been chatting to has been positive both about the fleadh and Tullamore," she added.
She expressed her thanks to local authorities, the Garda, ambulance service and the hundreds of volunteers who turned out to help with the organisation of the event.
The climax of the fleadh took place yesterday when the senior Céilí band competitions took place in the Church of the Assumption.
Following a parade through the streets to the main stage last night, Comhaltas president Jim Teevan officially declared the fleadh over.
However, the fleadh rarely ends with the completion of competitions and Karen O'Grady said organisers were expecting a good crowd to remain in Tullamore tonight and throughout the week.
• Taoiseach Brian Cowen singing Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore at the Fleadh. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/audio/0808/cowen-at-the-fleadh.mp3