Latest news with #CountyFleadh
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Thinking global and acting local sees our musical traditions survive and thrive
'Think global, act local': the phrase was coined in the 1970s, gained new currency in the '90s and remains relevant today. Think global — in other words, big picture, broad view, the important things — and act on an individual and community level. Its original authors meant it environmentally, but it can apply to all sorts of things. Irish arts and culture, for instance. As with every other indigenous culture, especially smaller nations', our music and dancing and language have been essentially under siege for decades in an increasingly homogenised, connected, corporatised global village. The huge demographic and sociocultural change of immigration also changes the cultural landscape in numerous ways. This isn't to get into the rights or wrongs of that, just to state an obvious fact: indigenous arts and culture are altered, everywhere and every time, as populations change. This is a depressing situation. Whenever the world loses any of its remarkable range and richness of traditions is depressing. But that's what we might call 'global' — what about local? What can you or I do about it, here and now? How can we help Irish arts to survive and thrive? Musicians from local Comhaltas groups at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford Town. I give you Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The kind of rare people giving words like 'organisation', 'bureaucracy' and 'non-profit' a good name. Comhaltas was founded in 1951 by a group of musicians, concerned Irish trad was in decline. It now has 400+ branches around the world, promoting and preserving our music, dancing and language. It runs weekly classes, periodic events and celebrations and sessions, and annual competitions. We're currently gearing up in Clare for the County Fleadh, from Sunday June 8. Do well in that and it's onto the Munsters in Cork in July, and who knows? Maybe All-Ireland glory in Wexford this August. As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Comhaltas has branches in places you'd expect — US, UK, Australia — and some you might not: Colombia, Singapore, Patagonia, Japan. (Irish trad is massive in Japan especially, thanks mainly to Comhaltas. How's that for thinking global?) Performers from Comhaltas na Dúglaise at Cork Airport ahead of Fleadh Cheoil Chorcaí 2024. And it's fantastic in what it does, the definition of 'volunteer spirit'; it's making the world a better place, one local step at a time, without asking or needing to be paid. Though that makes it all sound so worthy and po-faced, and getting involved in Comhaltas really isn't like that at all. It's fun. It's craic. It's meeting people and doing things. It's hefting chairs around a hall for the grúpa cheoil to assemble. It's handing out wristbands for the fleadh. It's WhatsApp groups and Facebook photos and driving to rehearsals. It's toting a harp case through a crowd and hoping to Jesus nobody bangs off the instrument — these things cost a lot of money. It's reuniting lost fiddle bows with their owner and waiting nervously with other parents for competition results. It's negotiating complex timetables so you can watch your kid's u15 group and still make the finale of the senior sean nós dancing. It's realising sean nós, contrary to preconceptions, is an absolutely kick-ass style of dancing and how did this brilliant artform elude your attention until now? One remarkable feature of Comhaltas, and traditional arts in general, is how it brings genuine superstars of the genre to the grassroots level — globally renowned names and local involvement. In my own case, for example, the Kilfenora Céilí Band were formed 30 minutes from where I live. In trad terms, they're megastars: they've played abroad (including the Glastonbury festival), been on the Late Late Show several times, performed at the National Concert Hall and other prestigious venues. Mike Dunning performs with his grandson LJ Kelly from Athlone on the opening day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Picture: Andres Poveda And I know several of them for years — just through normal life, and engagement with Comhaltas. They live locally. They teach my kids music and/or steer groups through competition. They're neighbours and friends. Our children play sport together. "One is a teacher in a nearby secondary. (Another is Sharon Shannon's brother, incidentally; he's in a neighbouring branch, and there's great friendly rivalry every summer.) Members of Newcestown Comhaltas. Picture: Brian Lougheed And it's mad, you're chatting to these people about the humdrum stuff of day-to-day and then they might say something like, 'Sorry, we have to head off, we've to be in RTÉ by seven'. I love that. It's what life should be about, really: incredibly talented artists, but also regular people who are deeply engaged on a local level. It's the kind of thing you only really get in 'roots' music. The rock equivalent would be The Edge teaching your kids guitar at the community hall, or Taylor Swift administrating a WhatsApp group called 'U12 county final 2025'. Funny, I was never a trad person growing up, and in fact still today am far more likely to listen to, or (badly) play, rock music or electronica or almost anything else, really, on CD or radio or YouTube. But there's something magical about trad music and dance, when it's live and in person; when you're involved to some degree, not just passively consuming. It's global, it's local, it's magical, it's Comhaltas. Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir takes place in Ennis this weekend. See for information
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Fringe Fleadh launched in Weford with a line-up designed to celebrate the richness of Irish identity
This event marked the beginning of a season of Irish music, culture, and community celebration, with Gorey Community School once again playing host to the County Fleadh, taking place from May 16 to 18, for the second consecutive year. At the launch, Leas Cathaoirleach of Gorey Municipal District Cllr Donal Kenny, welcomed all attendees and praised the talent, energy, and dedication of all involved. He spoke of the excitement felt throughout Gorey to once again be home to this important cultural event. Speaking on the 2025 Fringe Fleadh line-up, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen, described the festival as an immersive cultural experience designed to celebrate the richness of Irish identity. 'These events don't just entertain – they connect us,' he said. 'They weave a thread between communities, between generations, and between the past and the present. That's what makes the Fringe Fleadh so special here in Wexford. They remind us of who we are and the values we hold dear; creativity, community, heritage, tradition, and heart.' This year's Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman was organised once again by CCÉ Gorey/Ballygarrett. Chairperson Paula Carroll thanked her hardworking team for their tireless commitment over two consecutive years. She also thanked the members and staff of the Gorey-Kilmuckridge District for their continued support, highlighting the lasting friendships and community spirit fostered through the event. Paula also welcomed Irish international rugby player Aoife Wafer, who spoke about how her early involvement in Irish music remains a part of her life to this day and continues to help her connect with people across the world. Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe, officially launched the Fringe Fleadh programme, which will see cultural events taking place across Wexford throughout the summer in the lead-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August. Mr Taaffe paid tribute to the members of Wexford County Council, the members of the Fleadh Cheoil Executive Committee (FEC) and to the many dedicated volunteers who have played a pivotal role in the success of both this and last year's Fleadh. Chairperson of Comhaltas Loch Garman, Sharon Ní Chuilinn, also addressed the crowd in attendance, praising the commitment and collaboration of volunteers and organisers across the county. Reflecting on last year's success, she shared her enthusiasm for the Fringe Fleadh 2025 programme, which will bring the spirit of Irish music, dance, art, and storytelling to communities across Wexford this summer. Sharon thanked Gorey Community School for supporting Comhaltas with such a fantastic venue which enables us cater for almost 1,000 competitors and their families over the weekend. The event concluded with the Chairperson officially launching Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman. The evening concluded with a concert by internationally acclaimed traditional Irish band Goitse, warmly welcomed by the local Comhaltas branch CCE Gorey/Ballygarrett. Their performance marked a fitting celebration of the official launch and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season of culture and community. Full details of the Fringe Fleadh programme are available via QR codes on-site or by visiting
