Legacy of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann still felt in county
Anna-Rose Mullen
Proud member of Mullingar CCÉ Noel Battle says there has been a huge rise in interest for Irish music, all “seemingly mad to come in” – an extremely positive change from 20 years ago.
Noel is a dedicated, longstanding member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organisation established in 1951 in his home town, committed to promoting Irish culture and, specifically, Irish music.
Noel is a 10-time All-Ireland Champion on the mouth organ, and highlight of his career was when he performed in a Comhaltas concert tour of Ireland, England and America in 2013.
A man with a clear drive and passion for Irish music, h has been surrounded by music his whole life, and he readily shares vast experience and knowledge through his work at Áras an Mhuilinn.
Mullingar CCÉ host the Westmeath County Fleadh this year (on the weekend of May 9 and 10), and looking ahead to that, Noel reminisces on how far Comhaltas have come. “I remember here in 2001 was the 50th anniversary of the first Fleadh Cheoil that was ever run, and there was absolutely no interest from anyone.”
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, memorably, returned to Mullingar in 2022 and 2023 and the huge interest and attendances then have led to larger numbers playing and learning traditional instruments and songs, says Noel.
“Sixty to 80 would’ve been the highest number of students we’d ever had” – now they have “more than 200 students, adults and children”. “The whole community of Mullingar is totally behind the fleadh, which I have never seen in my lifetime,” said Noel.
Speaking about the classes at Áras an Mhuilinn, he added: “Parents of children years ago would’ve been pushing them to learn (an instrument), but there’s nothing like that at all now. They’re all seemingly mad to come in, the adults are the same. They’re certainly getting enjoyment out of it though. That’s what it’s all about.
“We had one senior session that we tried for the first time ever a month ago, and 30 people turned up for it. All we did was go around the room with them and got them to play a tune and joined in with them, anyone that could.
“When it was over, I couldn’t believe the responses.”
The feedback was positive, and it appears the class also cured stage fright for some. “There must have been six or seven of them that came to me after and they said, ‘well, that was absolutely mighty, I did something I thought I’d never do’. I said ‘what was that?’. They said, ‘I played in front of people’.”
“The advice for people who want to get into music is come down to us and we’ll talk to them and encourage them to really have a go at it,” said Noel.