A chara, – The opening of the Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann on Sunday was a sight to behold. Not alone have the people of Derry welcomed this massive event to the northwest, but the whole of Ulster are rejoicing in the musical feel good factor. TG4's Síle Ní Bhraonáin, and traditional Irish music legend, Gino Lupari were the hosts. The first band onto the massive stage was northwest super group Sontas. An infusion of contemporary styles and exciting arrangements, plus the lead singer's gift of the gab, had the crowd jumping and clapping when the sun was out. And when the heavens opened it was the first time I witnessed a sea of multicoloured umbrellas jumping up and down. Their rendition of Hard Times Come Again No More was haunting.
When Micheal D Higgins, Uachtarán na hÉireann, came on stage along with a line-up of other religious and political dignitaries, they received a rousing reception. The interdenominational blessings of the currachs that came up the river Foyle by the various church ministers was refreshing. Martin McGuinness took an open-armed approach where he welcomed the coming together of the various traditions. Yesterday the Orange order walked those walls, he said, pointing up to where the gun cannons poked out, there was no trouble. Today we’re bringing traditions together through music and culture.
Micheal D followed with an inspiring poem-speech-sermon address in Gaelic agus Bearla. If Mr McGuinness had been elected president, there was no way on earth that he could have hoped to come anywhere near Micheal D’s artistic and very vocal contributions. I felt there was a huge attempt to empathetically reach across the political and religious divide by each of the speakers. If this reaching out is to be reciprocated in a meaningful way, then there could be no plausible excuse for the fact that not one unionist politician had the time to grace the stage with their presence. (I’m assuming that invites went out because there would be uproar if they hadn’t). They couldn’t all be off on their holidays at the same time.
Is there a fear that their traditional thinking (or votes) may be weakened by integrating into the highly “dangerous” melting pot of Irish traditional music and dance that’s practised all over the world by different ethnicities faiths and colours which shows that there should be no boundaries and are no boundaries to learning and integrating for the common good. – Is mise,
J WOODS,
Gort an Choirce,
Dún na nGall.
Sir, – I was very much looking forward to reading your coverage of the official opening of the 2013 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry on Sunday evening.
I scanned the Monday’s edition of your paper and found nothing. This was very disappointing. The City of Culture was buzzing with excitement and visitors from far and near.
In the Guildhall Square President Higgins gave a most important and inspiring speech on Irish culture. The President spoke of how Irish communities at home and aboard were strengthened by the celebration of Irish music; song, dance and poetry. His words were so encouraging and lifted the crowds in the Guildhall Square. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL FLETCHER,
Cavendish Road,
London, England.