The Fleadh – ‘The Homecoming again’

By Jacqui Wiley of Inklings

Music is the blood that courses through the veins of Mullingar and her people. On August 6, the volume is turned up again; appreciation being the only amplification as the world of Irish traditional music, instrumental, vocal and dance fills the streets and hearts of its residents and 500,000 welcome visitors to the lake county: The Fleadh. For nine days everyone will be part of the Mullingar blood, or indeed its first blood, as the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Mullingar in 1951.

Mullingar’s juggler is cut and her blood pours out of every orifice and into every corner of her streets and buildings, spreading its magic and bringing an abundance of life to its streets. Schools, churches and halls house the most important events, the competitions, where people from all over the world compete through music, song dance and Comhrá Gaeilge. There were more than 150 competitions in 2022 when the fleadh made its return home to its roots.

Public houses, hotels and other establishments also filled their boots and customers with the sound of music. Along with two outdoor gig rigs, there was a pervasion of blood metaphorically (no one was bloodied literally).

Workshops, lectures, sessions and cultural events are held in many venues and pour over into hotel rooms, B&Bs, caravans, campervans and campsites as the whole of the town and its surroundings becomes one big happy musical community.

Concerts are given by the more established musicians of Ireland, the ones who got their chance to make their living from what they love doing on a full-time basis. Some would say, as they’re working at what they love, they have never had to work a day in their lives. A dream of every parent for their children.

Mullingar is a perfect place for a fleadh as the town is easily accessible and every venue is within walking distance. The many friendly volunteers on the streets and venues in their county-coloured T-shirts are easily recognisable to anyone who needs assistance, direction or guidance. They played an integral role in the success of the fleadh last year and are doing so again this year.

The Fleadh Cheoil (feast of music) finds the town awash with good feeling, generations of people who glory in our traditions coming together to entertain all walks of life.

Seeing little faces gleam as they stand in awe looking at older children play or dance and watching them shuffle their little feet and bop their head in unison is a wonderment to any pair of eyes and good for every heart.

The feeling that there will be continuity in the new generation coming through as you see the eagerness to learn burns within them, giving a sense of belonging, social inclusion, community that so many of us don’t experience as we live a more compartmental and privatised life.

People still delight in one another’s company. They love music and telling yarns and any time people get together, there is a feeling of bonding and camaraderie that is as strong as it ever was. The Irish within you will rise as you experience the camaraderie, take in the talent and see that these people who will entertain you do not crave to seek glamour but wish to entertain both you and themselves.

May you take away, good feeling and the desire to have a good word for our Irish culture, always on your lips.

• Jacqui Wiley is a member of the Inklings Writing Group, who meet on Tuesdays at 10.30am in the Annebrook House Hotel.