Latest news with #WexfordFleadhExecutiveCommittee
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Fleadh holds a special place in my heart' – President Michael D Higgins launches festival in Wexford
Hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, the celebration of Irish traditional music, dance, and culture has returned to Wexford town for the second time. More than 5,000 competitors, 750,000 visitors and numerous performers are expected to descend on Wexford Town for a week of ceol, spraoi and community spirit. While addressing the crowds on Wexford's quay front on Sunday, President Higgins praised the festival for its cultural importance. 'This will be my final occasion opening the Fleadh Cheoil, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, a festival that holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of the Irish people, both at home and abroad,' he said. 'As President of Ireland, I would like to say how immensely proud I am of the rich and vibrant Irish traditional music scene that continues to flourish. "We are in the midst of deeply creative period in our music, a folk musical revival fuelled by a resurgence of interest among young people who are embracing traditional music with enthusiasm, passion, creativity and talent. "The Fleadh Cheoil is a perfect example of this vibrant scene, and the perfect platform to showcase such talent,' he added. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, said it was 'a proud day for our county". "The Fleadh is a powerful expression of who we are as a people — rooted in community, creativity, and a shared love of music and tradition,' he said. The events will run until Sunday, including concerts, street sessions, performances, culminating with the competitions from Friday. ADVERTISEMENT The director of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Labhras O'Murchú, said the Fleadh is 'more than a festival'. "It is the finest display of who we are as a community and a nation,' he said. "As we approach the 75th year of Comhaltas, it gives me great pleasure to see the road we have travelled, the great joy our traditions bring to so many people and how they connect us around the world.' This year's festival will also see a new stage introduced as an initiative run by the Gaelgeoirí, building on the back of last year's success in an area dedicated specifically to the Irish language. The Seachtain na Gaeilge area based in Selskar is a cultural space where an Ghaeilge will be central to the festival. The event organiser, Darren Ó Ceallaigh, said: 'everyone is welcome to attend and use their cúpla focal'. "Everything we have planned will be accessible for everyone, there's no fear of a language barrier, and you absolutely do not have to be fluent to attend our events,' he said.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Thousands flock to Wexford as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in full swing for a second day
The festival, hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, returned to Wexford town for the second time. President Michael D Higgins said Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 'holds a special place in his heart', as he officially opened the festival in Wexford on Sunday. More than 5,000 competitors, 750,000 visitors and numerous performers are expected to descend on Wexford Town for a week of ceol, spraoi and community spirit. While addressing the crowds on Wexford's quay front on Sunday, President Higgins praised the festival for its cultural importance. 'This will be my final occasion opening the Fleadh Cheoil, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, a festival that holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of the Irish people, both at home and abroad,' he said. 'As President of Ireland, I would like to say how immensely proud I am of the rich and vibrant Irish traditional music scene that continues to flourish. "We are in the midst of deeply creative period in our music, a folk musical revival fuelled by a resurgence of interest among young people who are embracing traditional music with enthusiasm, passion, creativity and talent. "The Fleadh Cheoil is a perfect example of this vibrant scene, and the perfect platform to showcase such talent,' he added. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, said it was 'a proud day for our county". "The Fleadh is a powerful expression of who we are as a people — rooted in community, creativity, and a shared love of music and tradition,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT The events will run until Sunday, including concerts, street sessions, performances, culminating with the competitions from Friday. The director of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Labhras O'Murchú, said the Fleadh is 'more than a festival'. "It is the finest display of who we are as a community and a nation,' he said. "As we approach the 75th year of Comhaltas, it gives me great pleasure to see the road we have travelled, the great joy our traditions bring to so many people and how they connect us around the world.' This year's festival will also see a new stage introduced as an initiative run by the Gaelgeoirí, building on the back of last year's success in an area dedicated specifically to the Irish language. The Seachtain na Gaeilge area based in Selskar is a cultural space where an Ghaeilge will be central to the festival. The event organiser, Darren Ó Ceallaigh, said: 'everyone is welcome to attend and use their cúpla focal'. "Everything we have planned will be accessible for everyone, there's no fear of a language barrier, and you absolutely do not have to be fluent to attend our events,' he said.
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 app will provide real-time information throughout festival
Local family-run business WexApp has partnered with the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee to provide the official app which also aims to promote local businesses, with information on the best places to eat, drink and sleep while in Wexford, along with detailed maps and directions showing how to get around. Essentially, the app aims to provide a 'one stop shop' to find out all that is happening during the week of the Fleadh and local businesses are encouraged to register their listing on the app at no cost. For more details, visit 'Our challenge was to build a comprehensive digital solution that would enhance the festival experience for attendees while providing powerful management tools for organisers,' Gareth Williams of WexApp explained. 'We're really proud to be the official app provider for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025.' Chair of the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe is delighted with the finished product. 'Wexapp has created a digital experience that perfectly complements the traditional nature of our festival, making it accessible whether or not you are a tech-savvy attendee,' he said. 'The app will make life much easier for all Fleadh visitors.' 'We encourage people to download the App before they arrive to the Fleadh so that they can get an idea of what is happening and where things are located.' For more information, visit and
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New app for Wexford's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 will provide real-time information throughout festival
Local family-run business WexApp has partnered with the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee to provide the official app which also aims to promote local businesses, with information on the best places to eat, drink and sleep while in Wexford, along with detailed maps and directions showing how to get around. Essentially, the app aims to provide a 'one stop shop' to find out all that is happening during the week of the Fleadh and local businesses are encouraged to register their listing on the app at no cost. For more details, visit 'Our challenge was to build a comprehensive digital solution that would enhance the festival experience for attendees while providing powerful management tools for organisers,' Gareth Williams of WexApp explained. 'We're really proud to be the official app provider for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025.' Chair of the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe is delighted with the finished product. 'Wexapp has created a digital experience that perfectly complements the traditional nature of our festival, making it accessible whether or not you are a tech-savvy attendee,' he said. 'The app will make life much easier for all Fleadh visitors.' 'We encourage people to download the App before they arrive to the Fleadh so that they can get an idea of what is happening and where things are located.'
