As Comhaltas Tlachtga prepare to host the 2019 Leinster Fleadh, preparations are well underway in Athboy and Ráth Chairn for what promises to be an exciting week of events, workshops, competitions, concerts and much more. The competitions element of the Leinster Fleadh will see participants from throughout the county travel to compete to go through to the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil later in the summer, in Drogheda, while the events organised locally will have something for everyone.
The small matter of the marching band competition takes place on Sunday, which like last weeks Connacht Fleadh has just two bands. In the Junior Accordion K and S Accordion Band are entered and in Junior Miscellaneous Slí Dhála, CCÉ, Slí Dhála, Átha Cliath will be competing. The suspense is killing me, not! Truthfully the only way these bands won’t make it through to the All Ireland is if they don’t show up. K and S so far seem to have no other competition for their All Ireland title so look set to retain that if they make it through on Sunday. Slí Dhála have a real shot winning the All Ireland this year with only one competitor looking likely to be against them in Drogheda, this could be their year.
While the competitions element doesn’t start till today, there has been a very busy and active programme of events taking place from when the Fleadh was launched on Monday 8th at 7.30pm in The Darnley Lodge Hotel. Local and visiting musicians have shared their talents in nightly sessions in local pubs and also in a series of ‘Maidin Café sessions in Ráth Chairn and Sabrosa in Athboy. Other daytime activities include historical tours of the area, children’s summer camp and a pop up Gaeltacht.
One of the exciting elements and new to the Fleadh was a series of Inclusive Workshops in Athboy Convent Community Centre, facilitated by Tommy Hayes of Stockton’s Wing fame. They were held daily from Monday and finish today.
A series of Free Open Air Concerts in Athboy’s beautifully developed Fairgreen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will see top Irish bands including Dervish, John Spillane and teh Raw Bar Collective perform, while sessions will continue both on the street and in local venues.
Comhaltas competitions got underway on yesterday with the Dance competitions out in Ráth Chairn, while instrumental, singing and comhrá Gaeilge competitions take place in various venues around Athboy today and tomorrow. A full timetable and venue listing is available online at www.leinsterfleadh.ie
On Monday we’ll have all the latest from the Leinster Fleadh and we’ll have an update on the Munster Fleadh competing marching bands.