Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo to make an exciting return to Westport
Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo will be returning to Westport this May. The traditional music festival will be held in the town on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12.
Performances will be held in competition centres such as The Castlecourt Hotel, and, for the first time, Sacred Heart Secondary School. This year, there are also 'advanced plans' in place to take the tunes out onto the streets, namely a stage in the town's Octagon.
Last year, Westport hosted the Fleadh for the first time in 16 years. It was an outstanding success and saw over 900 competitors, some of whom progressed to the National Fleadh in Mullingar, where 120 medals were taken home to County Mayo. Chairperson of the Fleadh Cheoil Committee, Ann Knowles, said it was great to see young people passionate about music, song, and dance.
Speaking at the official Mayo Fleadh launch in The Wyatt Hotel in Westport on Tuesday evening, Comhaltas County Board Vice-Chairperson Cormac Ó Cionnaith says hosting the event “further promotes and raises the profile of Westport as a venue for all enthusiasts of Irish traditional culture.” Musicians entertained the guests at the launch.
The boost that the celebrations give to the tourism industry was discussed at the launch, with Ó Cionnaith calling it “great news for the sector and local economy”. As mentioned above, more than 900 people participated in the festival last year, most of whom brought along family, friends, and other supporters.
Ms Knowles reminisced about last year’s festival, calling it a “wonderful weekend” and saying it took “little persuasion” to convince the organisers to host the event again. Looking ahead to this year's plans, she explained ‘Fleadh’ as a festive occasion or banquet, and she says that is exactly “what [they] hope to bring to Westport town” and make it “even better than last year”.
The Comhaltas board thanked local businesses and services, saying they “would not be able to host without [their] support." Gratitude was also shown to the management staff of last year's five main venues: Scoil Phadraig, Westport Town Hall Theatre, Knockranny House Hotel, The Wyatt Hotel, and The Castlecourt Hotel.
The first event in the run up to the festival, the Fleadh concert, will take place at The Castlecourt Hotel on April 21.
(The Mayo News - 17 Jan 24)
Fleadh entries now closed.
Performances will be held in competition centres such as The Castlecourt Hotel, and, for the first time, Sacred Heart Secondary School. This year, there are also 'advanced plans' in place to take the tunes out onto the streets, namely a stage in the town's Octagon.
Last year, Westport hosted the Fleadh for the first time in 16 years. It was an outstanding success and saw over 900 competitors, some of whom progressed to the National Fleadh in Mullingar, where 120 medals were taken home to County Mayo. Chairperson of the Fleadh Cheoil Committee, Ann Knowles, said it was great to see young people passionate about music, song, and dance.
Speaking at the official Mayo Fleadh launch in The Wyatt Hotel in Westport on Tuesday evening, Comhaltas County Board Vice-Chairperson Cormac Ó Cionnaith says hosting the event “further promotes and raises the profile of Westport as a venue for all enthusiasts of Irish traditional culture.” Musicians entertained the guests at the launch.
The boost that the celebrations give to the tourism industry was discussed at the launch, with Ó Cionnaith calling it “great news for the sector and local economy”. As mentioned above, more than 900 people participated in the festival last year, most of whom brought along family, friends, and other supporters.
Ms Knowles reminisced about last year’s festival, calling it a “wonderful weekend” and saying it took “little persuasion” to convince the organisers to host the event again. Looking ahead to this year's plans, she explained ‘Fleadh’ as a festive occasion or banquet, and she says that is exactly “what [they] hope to bring to Westport town” and make it “even better than last year”.
The Comhaltas board thanked local businesses and services, saying they “would not be able to host without [their] support." Gratitude was also shown to the management staff of last year's five main venues: Scoil Phadraig, Westport Town Hall Theatre, Knockranny House Hotel, The Wyatt Hotel, and The Castlecourt Hotel.
The first event in the run up to the festival, the Fleadh concert, will take place at The Castlecourt Hotel on April 21.
(The Mayo News - 17 Jan 24)
Fleadh entries now closed.
Timetables for Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo
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Did you know? / An bhfuil fhios agat?
Fleadh Office Registration:
Competitors must register in the Fleadh Office for each of their individual competitions. One representative to register for duet, trio, band or grúpai ceoil is sufficient. Dancing competitors do not need to register. Cuimsiú Competitors please register at the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Late Slips:
A late slip is required if a competitor has more than one competition on at the same time. These are available from the Fleadh Office and must be handed to the call steward at the competition for which the competitor will be late.
Withdrawal from Competition:
In an effort to have competitions run to time, it is very important that you notify the fleadh office or call steward at the competition venue, if you decide to withdraw from a competition. Cuimsiú Competitors please notify Cuimsiú Fleadh Office. If you know in advance of the day, please notify your branch secretary.
Video Recording:
Permission slips to record a family member/group performance must be obtained from the Fleadh Office and handed to the call steward prior to the competition. Cuimsiú Competitors please obtain permits from the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Adjudicators Reports:
Adjudicator’s reports are available to be posted out to the competitor. Forms which are available from the fleadh office, will require, name, address and category together with a fee of €2.00 for the first sheet and €0.50c for further sheets.
Cuimsiú Competitors reports can be collected from the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Prizewinners Photos:
Photos of prize winners can be taken on completion of Photo Form, which are available during the weekend. Competitors/Parents are asked to present the completed form to the Photographer. Photo Booth venue & opening times will be advertised during the weekend. Winners of Band and Grúpaí Ceoil competitions are asked to come forward for photos immediately following results.
Cuimsiú competitors photos will be taken in the competition room immediately after the competition.
Trophies:
Contact details and signatures are required on collection of trophies. Trophies can be collected from the fleadh office.
Rules:
Fleadh rules are available to view at the Fleadh Office and on-line on the Mayo Comhaltas website. Please note there are changes in performances requirements as the age categories progress.
Competitors must register in the Fleadh Office for each of their individual competitions. One representative to register for duet, trio, band or grúpai ceoil is sufficient. Dancing competitors do not need to register. Cuimsiú Competitors please register at the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Late Slips:
A late slip is required if a competitor has more than one competition on at the same time. These are available from the Fleadh Office and must be handed to the call steward at the competition for which the competitor will be late.
Withdrawal from Competition:
In an effort to have competitions run to time, it is very important that you notify the fleadh office or call steward at the competition venue, if you decide to withdraw from a competition. Cuimsiú Competitors please notify Cuimsiú Fleadh Office. If you know in advance of the day, please notify your branch secretary.
Video Recording:
Permission slips to record a family member/group performance must be obtained from the Fleadh Office and handed to the call steward prior to the competition. Cuimsiú Competitors please obtain permits from the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Adjudicators Reports:
Adjudicator’s reports are available to be posted out to the competitor. Forms which are available from the fleadh office, will require, name, address and category together with a fee of €2.00 for the first sheet and €0.50c for further sheets.
Cuimsiú Competitors reports can be collected from the Cuimsiú Fleadh Office.
Prizewinners Photos:
Photos of prize winners can be taken on completion of Photo Form, which are available during the weekend. Competitors/Parents are asked to present the completed form to the Photographer. Photo Booth venue & opening times will be advertised during the weekend. Winners of Band and Grúpaí Ceoil competitions are asked to come forward for photos immediately following results.
Cuimsiú competitors photos will be taken in the competition room immediately after the competition.
Trophies:
Contact details and signatures are required on collection of trophies. Trophies can be collected from the fleadh office.
Rules:
Fleadh rules are available to view at the Fleadh Office and on-line on the Mayo Comhaltas website. Please note there are changes in performances requirements as the age categories progress.