It’s Official: Tullamore 2009
15 September 2008, 3:09 PM GMT
The town of Tullamore, Co. Offaly has been officially selected as the site of the 2009 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. I think everyone who visited the Fleadh this year will join in thanking our hosts for such a lovely event, and also join us in wishing them well for the coming year’s festival. You can see some pictures and videos from this year’s festival at the http://fleadh2008.com/ website.
- The Scoil Éigse summer school will take place in Tullamore from 16 - 21 August, 2009.
- Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2009 will take place on the weekend of 21 - 23 August, 2009.
The press release is as follows:
THE LIVING TRADITION
CEARNÓG BELGRAVE, BAILE NA MANACH, CO. ÁTHA CLIATH
TEL: 01-2800295. FAX: 01-2803759
e-mail: enquiries@comhaltas.com
web site: http://www.comhaltas.com
THREE IN A ROW FLEADH FOR TULLAMORETullamore will celebrate “three in a row” with the good news from the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas at the week-end that the town has again been selected to host next year’s All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil.
The 2007 and 2008 Fleadh held at the Offaly venue have won many accolades at home and abroad. Many tributes were paid by the Ardchomhairle to the Fleadh Committee and the host community on the excellence of the great cultural and social event.
The Director General of Comhaltas, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, said that Tullamore has set the bar very high for future venues. “Their innovation, dedication, professionalism, hospitality and attention to detail were inspiring. They have placed our cultural traditions on a pedestal and have raised the morale of the hundreds of thousands of people who attended the Fleadhanna for the last two years. We all felt so very welcome in the town which has earned such wide spread admiration. Tullamore is an ideal venue for the Fleadh and will rank as one of the best of all time”. Senator Ó Murchú said that what was very significant about the Fleadh in Tullamore was the effective partnership which existed between Comhaltas, Local Authorities and other public agencies, Gardaí, sponsors, local media, the business community, venue proprieters and the general public. Fleadh 2009 will officially open on Monday, 17th August, and continues for a whole week.
Labhrás Ó Murchú
Ardstiúrthóir
087-2528747
Posted By comhaltas
Comments
- comhaltas
- 17 September 2008
- 6:09 PM GMT
I believe that the dates were changed by Congress last year. Since schools are starting earlier these days, the elected delegates decided to pull the Fleadh back by a week to avoid conflicts, not just in Tullamore.
- Brian
- 18 September 2008
- 8:09 AM GMT
I have to take issue with Seán here over the earlier dates. Virtually all schools in Ireland now start back the last week in August and many of us weren’t able to stay for the Monday sessions this year. Next year this won’t be a problem for us and we should be able to enjoy what is sometimes the best part of the Fleadh in the days immediately after it.
Why change the dates ? !! Dont fix something that is not broken
If the schools in Tullamore are returning on 1st Sept 09 and could not accomodate the fleadh, then Tullamore should not have been given the fleadh.
I am sure other places such as Westport, Ballina, would have been more than accomodating.
The return to school after summer dates are flexible depending on individual schools.- returning anytime from 1st to 7th sept.
Will this change not effect other little festivals held in mid august ? and the ones that follow the fleadh such as Gurteen.
Festivals that have been organised around the All Ireland fleadh dates for many years.
What about all the people that go to the fleadh on the monday, which is still buzzing as all the northern irish / uk / scottish contingent are still all there, it being a UK bank holiday.
This change will kill of theoff fleadh on
Monday and Tuesaday.... historically have been the best days of a fleadh....with some great sessions.
I do hope this is not some politically influenced change of date!!
How was the change voted on and agreed at HQ ?? This is madness.