Tuning up for fleadh

Plans are at an advanced stage for the 50th Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which will draw up to 200,000 visitors to Enniscorthy, …

Plans are at an advanced stage for the 50th Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which will draw up to 200,000 visitors to Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, next weekend.

There were fears that the town would be unable to cope with the crowds when the event returned there last year after a 32-year absence. Instead, it turned out to be one of the best organised fleadhanna since the Pipers' Club from Dublin inaugurated the event in 1951 in Mullingar.

From the middle of next week musicians will begin arriving in the town for informal sessions preceding the official opening of the three-day event on Friday.