The official Launch of Fleadh na Mumhan 2009 took place in Roscrea Credit Union offices recently. Roscrea Credit Union will be the main sponsor of this year’s event. In attendance were Comhaltas and Credit Union Officials as well as representatives from local businesses, voluntary groups, County Council and organisations based in the area. Mr Pat Flanagan, Chairman of the organising committee extended a warm welcome to all in attendance especially local media representatives who he thanked for the extensive coverage that they have afforded the Fleadh to date. Explaining the format of the week long event, Mr Flanagan said that the Fleadh has two elements. The competition element is the first stage and this is where qualifiers from County level throughout the province compete for the right to qualify for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil which will be held in Tullamore in August. The second element of the Munster Fleadh involves the whole cultural festival that surrounds the event. As you will see in the program of events detailed below the organisng committee has lots of events throughout the week to cater for all tastes. Singing clubs, a book launch, music workshops, street entertainment, ceíli’s etc will all feature as part of the comprehensive program of events that will be on offer. This will be the third time that the Munster Fleadh will be hosted in Roscrea. It is a great honour for the town to be able to facilitate one of the most important events on the Irish cultural calendar. Mr Flanagan said that Roscrea was chosen once again because of the tremendous local support that the event has received here on the two previous occasions. Mr Flanagan said that the organising committee notwithstanding the downturn in the economy had received tremendous assistance from a considerable number of private and commercial sponsors including, the arts office of Tipperary Co. Council. Mr Flanagan also thanked the businesses of the town, Roscrea Chamber Of Commerce and the Vintners Association who have supported the hosting of the Fleadh. Mr Flanagan then thanked Roscrea Credit Union, main sponsors of the event for not just their financial support but for all their help in many different capacities that they have afforded Comhalts over the years. He said many financial instutions had suffered from bad press in recent months, but Mr Flanagan complimented Roscrea Credit Union for been such a strong organisation that has become the backbone of many of the positive things that happens in Roscrea. In conclusion the chairman said that the committee were doing everything in their power to stimulate interest in this year’s Munster Fleadh. He then thanked the people of Roscrea for their support and said he looked forward to what would be a very memorable and enjoyable Fleadh during July. Pat Loughman, Chairman of Tipperary Comhaltas Branch congratulated the Roscrea branch of Comhalts for showing great bravery to take on this year’s Fleadh. He wished the committee every success with the event and said that he looked forward to what promised to be a great weekend of competition and cultural events. Tadhg Ó Maolcatha, Munster Board Chairman said he was delighted to be in attendance and furthermore was thrilled that after the success of 2004, Roscrea was chosen once again to host a Munster Fleadh. Recalling 2004, the Chairman said the board was delighted with Roscrea and the different venues that were used as well as the numerous events that took place over the weekend. The Chairman said it was a pleasure to work with the Roscrea organising committee which he described as extremely professional and efficient in their approach. Seamus Mullaney Chairman of Roscrea Credit Union, Main Sponsors of the event, said that the Credit Union were delighted to support such a prestigious national event been organised by local people. The Chairman acknowledged the tremendous voluntary effort of the local group and on behalf on the main sponsor and all sponsors of the event, he wished them every success in July. Below is an outline of the many events that will take place in Roscrea from the 12th to the 19th of July. Please come out and support as much of the event s as you can. It promises to be a most memorable and entertaining week: | Date | Time | Event | |——-|——–|——–| | MONDAY, 13th JULY | 8.30pm| A lecture on place-names of Tipperary with Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill | |TUESDAY, 14th JULY| |8.30pm| Oíche Ghaelach. Ceol, damhsa agus amhránaíocht a chur i láthair trí Ghaeilge i Halla na Mainistreach (Abbey Hall) | |WEDNESDAY, 15th JULY | 8.30pm| A night of poetry, songs and stories with John Browne in Grants Hotel| | | | Book Launch| |THURSDAY, 16th JULY | 8.30pm| A night with the uilleann pipes in Grant’s Hotel | |FRIDAY, 17th JULY | 10.00am| Scoil Fonn agus Amhrán in Coláiste Phobal | | |10.00am| Polka & Slide Playing Work Shop | | |6.30pm| Tour to the historic sites of Roscrea with local historian George Cunningham| | |7.30pm| Official Opening | | |8.00pm| Senior Set Dancing Competition in Racket Hall | | |8.00pm – 11.30pm| “Gig Rig” on Castle Street | | |9.30pm | Singer’s in Phelan’s “The Market House” | | |9.30pm| Mixed Céilí with Glenside Céilí Band in Damer Court Hotel, Roscrea| |SATURDAY, 18th JULY | 10.00am|U-12 and 12-15 Music & Singing Competitions (Colaiste Phobal) | | |11.00am| Junior Set Dancing Competitions (Grants Hotel)| | |12.00pm – 2.00pm| Street Entertainment Competition| | |2.00 pm – 11.30pm| “Gig Rig” will take place in Castle Street | | |7.30pm| Aifreann na nÓg | | |9.30pm| Singer’s Club in Phelan’s “The Market House” | | |10.00pm| Mixed Céilí with Tim Joe & Ann in Racket Hall Hotel, Dublin Rd| |SUNDAY, 19TH JULY| 10.30am| Aifreann | | |10.00am| Senior competitions in Colaiste Phobal and Junior set dancing competitions in Grants Hotel | | |2.00 pm – 11.30pm| “Gig Rig” will take place in Castle Street| The Gig-Rig Line-Up ============= *Friday, July 17th* | Time | Group | |——-|——–| |8.30| Roscrea Junior Comhaltas| |9.00| Tipperary Youth Ensemble| |10.00| Ceoltoirí na Sionainne| |11.00| Finish| *Saturday, July 18th* | Time | Group | |——-|——–| |2.00| Camross Comhaltas| |3.00| Roscrea Senior Ceilí Band| |3.30| Winning Street Entertainment Group| |4.00| Kapola Ukranian Dancers| |5.30| Mol an Óige| |6.30| Limerick Youth Group| |7.30| Tipperary Youth Ensemble| |8.30| Ceoltoirí na Sionainne| |9.30| Five Counties Ceilí Band| |11.00|Finish| *Sunday, July 19th* | Time | Group | |——-|——–| |2.00| Kinsella Family| |3.00| Catherine Middleton & Guinan Family| |4.00| Templemore Pipe Band – Joe Barry| |4.30| Brendan & John Collins| |5.00| Nora Butler, Hugh Quinn, Tomás Quinn, Michael Curran, etc.| |6.00|Sliabh Mish, Ciarraí| |7.00|Diabhlaíocht – Tipp group| |8.30 – 10| Anam – Kerry Group| |10.00|Brú Boru| |11.00|Finish| Because of Gig Rig there will be traffic restriction in the town. Castle Street will be sealed off from 5.00pm on Friday July 17th till 11.30pm on Sunday 19th. Consequently, no traffic or parking will be available on this street. CIE buses will stop outside Luttrell House and be re-routed down the Mall and onwards on their journey. Following this closure and for traffic’s ease of flow, there will be no parking allowed on the Mall for the same period. The Coláiste Phobal’s parents council are manning the field entrances from the Dublin Road as well as the Corville entrance which will become a car-park for the duration of the Fleadh. The Fleadh Programme this year will concentrate on music-making in the area reflecting the wealth of musical talent prevalent in the locality. It will feature many articles on Tipperary noted musicians; their influences and styles which will be of benefit to those studying traditional music. All in all a wonderful weeks entertainment will take place culminating in the week-end’s competitions with the best the province of Munster can provide peforming both formally in competition and informally around the town. The Fleadh is an occasion with something for everyone, family oriented and entertaining not to be missed. In these recessionary times, this is free entertainment, for the most part, providing a little oasis of happiness for all. Watch out for new additions to the list of entertainments being provided!