Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 in Mullingar is being described as one of the greatest ever celebrations of Irish culture. It was evident from the Official Opening on Sunday, 6th August, by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, that the numbers were significantly up on 2022 when there was an attendance of over 500,000. This year over 600,000 people throughout the week were entertained by over 15,000 performers.
The multitude of Irish Ireland advocates came from North, South, East and West and from right across the globe which reflects the operations of Comhaltas in 21 countries worldwide. Over 25% of those attending were from out-of-state, this is a significant tourism boost for Ireland.
This was possibly the greatest family festival of all time where young and old, without distinction, embraced comfortably together the much-revered cultural traditions of our nation.
Bhí teanga na nGael lárnach in imeachtaí na Fleidhe. Our Irish Language was to be heard throughout the Fleadh. Hundreds of bi-lingual signs were in evidence and Seachtain na Gaeilge had an impressive and comprehensive programme of events. As the thousands of stickers proclaimed GAEILGE ABÚ!
It is a sign of how the knowledge and appreciation of our native music, song and dance has been absorbed by the general public that even underage championships were attracting an attendance of up to 1,000 people. The standards at these 136 championships were described as phenomenal. Many of which were viewed all over the world as they were streamed in co-operation with TG4 and produced by Micheál Ó Domhnaill.
In the midst of all the musicmaking, Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann Mary McAleese launched the new Comhaltas Prospectus 2023-2030 CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR CULTURE.
TG4 from their Fleadh Village had live programmes on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – a total of eight hours preceded by a one-hour programme from the four provincial Fleadhanna. All of these can be found on the TG4 Player.
Maggie Breathnach and Red Shoe recorded six television programmes to be transmitted on RTÉ in January and February 2024.
Several RTÉ radio programmes were broadcast from the Fleadh and there was also an RTÉ Nationwide programme.
As was evident again in Mullingar, the Fleadh is much more than any of its elements. The camaraderie, friendship, creativity, ambition and expectation combine to bond all present into the great extravaganza which this gathering of the Gaeil now is.
Ever-present at the Fleadh is the appreciative acknowledgement of that small band of men and women who gathered at that historic meeting in Mullingar in 1951 to sow the seed for what was to become an abundant harvest. They dared to dream and the dream came true. Herein lies a message for us all in times of challenge.
Like 1951, songs will be sung and stories will be told of that gallant band of 2022 and 2023 who turned obstacles into challenge and fired the imagination of their followers. Joe Connaire, Colette Glynn, Willie Penrose and 1,300 volunteers – in partnership with Westmeath County Council – have given us a proud legacy that time will not diminish. Let us now draw on that legacy to crown their efforts and raise the bar even higher. This will be their living monument. The new Comhaltas Prospectus will be a roadmap on this journey.