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Comhaltas

LET’S DO IT ALL TOGETHER AGAIN!!!

Fleadh returns to Mullingar, 6th to 14th August 2023
Ag filleadh ar ais chuig an Mhuileann gCearr 

On Sat 3rd September 2022 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann announced Mullingar as the venue, once again, for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023. 

Mullingar hosted the highly successful and much accoladed Fleadh 2022, ‘The Homecoming’, which welcomed in the region of 500,000 visitors to the founding town of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and generated upwards on €50m for the local economy.

A man stands talking into a microphone on a stand at a podium covered in white fabric with the Comhaltas logo, he is on an outdoor covered stage, behind him sit adults and children, some have instruments including a harp and guitar
Joe Connaire, Cathaoirleach Fleadh Executive Committee. (Image courtesy of Anna- Allen Photography)

Cathaoirleach of the Fleadh Executive Committee, Joe Connaire, has said:

‘It has been a great privilege to host this fantastic event and showcase Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands to a global audience. The announcement back in Sept that the All Ireland Fleadh was to return to our great hometown of Mullingar was a testament to the Comhaltas volunteer committee, with the support of Westmeath County Council, and the passion that was collectively brought to make the 2022 Fleadh a resounding success and an unforgettable one.’

He continued:

‘We are committed to building on the 2022 success – delivering a world-class event and an unforgettable visitor experience again this year. We look forward to welcoming cairde from near and far back to celebrate Irish culture once again.’

Cathaoirleach of Fleadh Executive Committee, Joe Connaire, is very keen to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the members of the FEC voluntary committee, and the hundreds of volunteers who undertook numerous roles, aiding the smooth running of a fantastic and hugely successful Fleadh ‘22.  

A large group of adults, the front row seated, the others standing behind, some people wear suits or blazers, others dress in a range from very casual to evening wear, a man in the back row wears a golden mayoral chain, a man in the front row holds a framed certificate
County Council. (Image courtesy of John McCauley)

Huge thanks must also go to a few key people and organisations such as Westmeath County Council whose contribution was immeasurable, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Fleadh Team ’22 for their support, Bishop Tom Deenihan, Fr Phil Gaffney and the priests of the parish for their outstanding support and co-operation, An Garda Siochana, the Statutory Bodies and our Event Controller without the support of whom we could not run such as successful Fleadh, stakeholders and supporters such as Failte Ireland, Minister Catherine Martin TD and her department, LCDC and Leader Rural Dev. Fund and Westmeath Community Development, Westmeath Volunteer Centre, and our local TD’s Peter Burke and Robert Troy, Mullingar Chamber of Commerce along with the local Business Community and locally based Community Groups for their enormous support, all our local and national media partners, our Sponsors, North Midlands Credit Union and all our sponsors without whose support we could not fund the costs associated with delivering such an impressive event, schools and venue owners for their co-operation in making your establishments available for events and competitions etc., local Hotels and Restaurants and Vintners for their support both financial and in relation to use of their establishments and of course a massive thanks to THE PEOPLE OF MULLINGAR AND SURROUNDS, for opening their hearts, and their homes, and for embracing this fabulous event!  

Let’s do it all together again!!!!

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 will take place in Mullingar from the 6th to 14th of August 2023. 

A very busy wide street packed full of hundreds of people, there are various covered stalls in the street
Domnick Street on Saturday. (Image courtesy of John McCauley)

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is THE premier cultural event in Ireland and the world’s largest annual celebration of Traditional Irish music, language, song and dance. It is expected to attract over 500,000 visitors to the host town Mullingar this year and as always, it is estimated that 25% of those visitors will be coming to Mullingar for the Fleadh from overseas.

Children and young adults playing music in the street outside shops, all are seated except one of the banjo players is standing, other instruments being played are guitar, accordian and violin
Street Session. (Image courtesy of John McCauley)

Traditional musicians of all ages will gather in Mullingar from 6th to 14th of August for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Mullingar 2023, which has once again been named ‘The Homecoming’, celebrating the return to Mullingar after the founding of Comhaltas here in 1951 and the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann ever!!!  

But this year 2023, there will be an emphasis on welcoming the Irish Diaspora to ‘Come Home’ to Ireland for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 in Mullingar. Through PR and social media marketing we will encourage overseas visitors to mobilise and plan their Irish holiday around Fleadh 2023  Overseas visitors will be made feel so very welcome to the great Midlands town of Mullingar, we will look forward to welcoming the Irish Diaspora Home in large numbers, for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023!

As we all know, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. The rich heritage of Irish traditional culture can be enjoyed by visitors and participants of all ages, through a variety of performances and events. 

Key Programme highlights already available to see on the website, https://fleadhcheoil.ie/events/ include:

  • Martin Hayes
  • Sean Keane
  • Dervish
  • Seoid
  • Meitheal Orchestra
  • Kilfenora Céilí Band
  • Drops of Green
  • Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra
  • 5 Céilithe to enjoy – building on the success of Fleadh 22 céilithe which were such a huge success with large numbers of dancers attending.

Much more concerts to be added to the Programme over the coming weeks – so don’t miss out – www.fleadhcheoil.ie/events/ 

Scoil Éigse 2023

The 51st Annual Scoil Éigse organised by Comhaltas takes place in Mullingar, 6th to 11th August, the week of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023. At Scoil Éigse – CCÉ’s annual international Summer School, students of all ages register for the various instrumental music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.

Classes  – details on Scoil Éigse classes at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 are now available to view on www.scoileigse.ie

A full Summary of All Fleadh Events as they become available, will be detailed on www.fleadhcheoil.ie, including highlights such as;

  • Gig Rig Schedule of performances over the week
  • Clár Ama – Seachtain na Gaeilge Clár Ama / Events Schedule 
  • Youth Events – Youth Events Schedule 

Accommodation at the Fleadh!

If you are looking for accommodation, rooms and houses to rent in the area will be available to view over the coming weeks on www.fleadhcheoil.ie/fleadhaccommodation/

Volunteering at the Fleadh!

Many rows of seated people behind temporary event fencing, some smiling, some waving at the back, most are wearing burgundy red t-shirts with printed words on the front
Fleadh Volunteers. (Image courtesy of John McCauley)

If you are coming to Mullingar and would like to get involved as a volunteer, we would love to hear from you! Registration for volunteering can be accessed on www.fleadhcheoil.ie/volunteering/

The 9-day long Fleadh will boast a full programme of events both ticketed and free of charge including KEY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS, such as;

  • Competitions with 180 + competitions in music, singing, dancing, comhrá Gaeilge and storytelling, including the highlight closing competition, the Senior Céilí Band competition featuring competing bands from across Ireland and the UK and overseas visiting bands.
  • Scoil Éigse – an international Summer School, with over 60 master performers tutoring over 700 students, in all musical instruments, in traditional song and dance, over 5 days.
  • Seachtain na Gaeilge agus Seachtain na hÉigse – week-long immersive events in the Irish language
  • Concerts and ticketed events – a variety of outdoor and indoor concerts from traditional music artists, inc. internationally renowned names and a host of established traditional music groups.
  • Numerous casual street and pub sessions over the 9 days of the Fleadh.
  • Scheduled performances on large open air Gig Rig in the centre of town, showcasing the very best in traditional music, song and dance from individuals and groups, of all ages, from across Ireland, UK and overseas.
  • Bardic Awards celebration evening and Ard Ollamh Awards celebration evening
  • Exhibition of 1963 Fleadh original memorabilia from when Mullingar hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 60 years ago, including video footage of the street parade that took place in ‘63.

Stay right up to date with preparations for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Mullingar 2023 by:

  • visiting our website – www.fleadhcheoil.ie
  • following us on Facebook – @fleadhcheoil.ie and @mullingarfleadh
  • following us on Instagram – fleadhcheoil

Ní neart go cur le chéile! Bígí Linn!

Bernie McHugh

Fleadh Executive Committee