Council director says fleadh win a monumental success and funding is to follow

“It’s a monumental success to get the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 to our town, I congratulate the work that went on behind the scenes,” director of services, Martin Murray at recent meeting of Mullingar Municipal District.

“[The work] went on for well over a year, strategising our position, working through the process – and very successfully,” added Mr Murray, who said council official Pat Keating had been appointed as the council’s and the municipal district representative for the fleadh committee.

“It s about everybody pulling together and to realise what can be achieved,” Mr Murray said.

“Such as the economic benefits, everything about the fleadh is positive and we have to ensure we deliver a product,” he continued.

The director of services said the current town enhancement works were part of a larger “jigsaw” in terms of improving the urban realm of Mullingar.

He discussed how the new works would create a more pedestrian friendly space for the congregation of people

“And what we’re doing at the moment is part of that jigsaw in terms of the improving the urban realm, having a much more pedestrian friendly space, for the congregation of people.

“Specifically Dominick Square and Market House will be very much for open air display that’s associated with the fleadh,” said Mr Murray.

Moreover, there are further plans for a civic plaza area in Blackhall Place, while Canal Avenue, to the eastern side of Buckley’s supermarket, is also to get an upgrade.

“We do intend to make further applications now that we have formal notification of the successful fleadh bid, we intend to improve the gaps,” he said.

“It (the fleadh) will come quick enough, before we know it, but we hope to advance specifically that Blackhall element. We do intend to make further applications, it’s an annual fund, and we’ve begun looking at different sections of our town that needs enhancement,” he said.