Record Westmeath numbers for historic Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast
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Joe Connaire with pupils Ellen Murphy, Kate Horohoe, Emily Evans, Aoife and Anna Dunleavy and Grace Lambden, who were 1st and 2nd in U12 and U15 in banjo and mandolin competitions at Fleadh Laighean and represent Westmeath in Belfast.Image 2 of 4
Mick Foster, Brendan Doyle (Westmeath CCÉ chair) and Noel Heduan (Frank Gavigan CCÉ branch) at the launch of the 75th anniversary celebration weekend in Mullingar.Image 3 of 4
John and Thomas Reynolds from Castletown Geoghegan CCÉ playing on the Gig Rig at last year’s Fleadh Cheoil. The brothers compete together in the 15-18 duets at the All-Ireland Fleadh.Image 4 of 4
Members of Ballynacargy CCÉ at the Gig Rig at last year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford.Shane King
Westmeath Comhaltas are sending their largest-ever contingent to the competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, hosted in Belfast for the first time this week.
A total of 47 acts representing the Ballynacargy, Castletown Geoghegan, Clann Lir, Moate, Mullingar and Frank Gavigan branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are taking part in music, singing, storytelling and dancing.
The competitors earned their places in Belfast after progressing through the county Fleadh in Mullingar in May and securing top-two finishes at the Leinster Fleadh in Portlaoise.
Running until Sunday, August 9, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann brings eight days of Irish traditional music, song, dance and culture to Ireland’s only UNESCO City of Music.
Alongside the competitions are concerts, sessions, céilithe and Gig Rig performances from Peter Street, Hot House Flowers, Sharon Shannon and Friends, Lúnasa and many more.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Westmeath CCÉ chairperson Brendan Doyle said the county’s traditional music scene continues to grow in standard every year. “I think there’s no doubt that we have the biggest contingent heading from Westmeath that we’ve ever had. I think Westmeath’s music is only growing from strength to strength and I can’t wait to see what it will be like in five years’ time.”
Former chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee when the event was hosted in Mullingar, Joe Connaire, said he is delighted to see a number of his own students competing on the national stage. “The fleadh has been like the weather and the football this year, and to crown it all off, I have brilliant musicians there, on banjo and mandolin, and they’ve been the sunlight in traditional Irish music in Westmeath.
“They got through to the All-Ireland in Belfast, having come through their competitions in Leinster, so it’s a huge achievement, and I’m proud of them. The young fellas are saying it’ll be their turn next year, but I don’t think this crew are going to let them get in the door now that they’re going to Belfast. So I’m delighted for each one of them.”
Joe believes the legacy of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar transformed traditional in Westmeath, and there is growing participation among both young people and adults.
“I suppose we built a legacy from the Fleadh Cheoil being here. The numbers in each branch have skyrocketed, and not alone young musicians but adults have taken up an instrument. Just to give you an example, one lady, 83, from Loughnavalley took up mandolin recently as she always wanted to play a mandolin, but it wasn’t till after the Fleadh she got the urge to get one and take it up.
“Every branch is doing well; we have eight branches now in Westmeath, and they’re all putting their shoulder to the wheel and bringing the best music in the midlands to everybody, and it’s great to see it.”
This year Comhaltas mark the 75th anniversary of their foundation in 1951, and a special celebration to mark that milestone takes place in Mullingar, where the association was founded, at the end of August.