Fleadh-bulous!

The staging of the County Fleadh this June Bank Holiday weekend has taken on a significance beyond even its primary aim of celebrating traditional music and dance in Cavan.

Following an unprecedented hiatus due to Covid, organisers of the Belturbet-staged event (June 3-5) stress the “importance” of community spirit, and are eager to make up for “lost time” with a bumper line-up of some of the finest Irish traditional talent over the weekend.

“We are so proud, and so delighted to be able to host the County Fleadh once again here in Belturbet,” says chair of the organising committee, Ann Grogan. “We were right in the middle of our preparations in 2020, having staged a very successful Fleadh in 2019, when the pandemic hit and everything had to be postponed.”

Despite best efforts to move online the following year, Ann admits it was a “poor substitute” for the fun, atmosphere, and cultural experience of attending in person.

Buoyed by the good weather, thousands attended each day of the County Fleadh in Belturbet back in 2019, and Ann is hopeful for a similarly strong turnout in 2022. “We have such wonderfully talented musicians and dancers, artists of all kinds here in Cavan. So when they come together, something very special happens, and that’s what is so important about our County Fleadh.”

The weekend long schedule of festivities kicks off on Friday, June 3, with the U10 Tin Whistle Competition starting at 6pm; followed by the official County Fleadh opening on the gig rig located in the centre of Belturbet Town with local musicians playing. The evening rounds off with the renowned High Stool Prophets playing at 8pm; and the Session Trail at pub venues throughout Belturbet from 9.30pm.

Saturday’s festivities (June 4) begin from 12 noon with music competitions staged at various locations. Throughout the day there will be a series of events taking place at the hugely popular Maggie’s Kitchen and Boxty House; there will be a siopa ceoil, art exhibition, traditional crafts on show; and also tours and exhibitions at the Railway Heritage Centre.

From 5pm there will a children’s tractor and fairy run on Main Street; followed by an adjudicator session from 6pm; and a Ceilí with the Copperplate Ceilí Band at the Town Hall Civic Centre at 8.30pm. Once again there will be plenty of ceol agus craic at all the pubs taking part in the Session Trail.

The final day of the County Fleadh (Sunday, June 5) starts with a Fleadh Mass at 10am at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and competitions from 12 noon. Sunday will also see a number of additional side attractions take place, with a street market from 3pm, and a Traditional Day also taking place, with machinery, turf cutting, bread and butter making and many more home crafts on display. The event ties in with the theme attached to this year’s County Fleadh, which doffs a cap to sustainable living, environmental impact, healthy eating in its tribute to the humble potato.

Busking competition

The ever popular Busking Competition on the street begins at 6pm (€2 per person, max group of five), with judging by international singer-songwriter and Belturbet resident Don Mescall.

Don will also oversee the prize giving (€100) before taking to the main stage himself with a gathering of musical friends to play from 7pm.

This will be followed by a Seisiun Mór on the gig rig, and a very special CCÉ hosted concert capping off the weekend at the town hall from 8.30pm involving the Martin O’Connor Trio, Cathy Jordan, Leonard Barry, Shane McGowan, and Seamie O’Dowd (doors 7.15pm tickets available from the County Fleadh Office or call 0872323428).

Session Trail

Details of the Session Trail are on the Belturbet County Fleadh Facebook page, and includes a variety of events including a Trad Disco at the Widow’s bar.

Ann thanked the volunteers who have given up of their time to help stage this year’s fleadh, as well as the local businesses and organisations who are supporting the event- Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, The Anglo-Celt, Cavan County Council and Cavan Arts, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the Seven Horse Shoes, Cafe Nua, Duffy’s Gala and Belturbet Pharmacy. “Without their support none of what we’ve been able to achieve, either in previous years or this year could be done. It really is an entire community effort to bring something like this together, and we’re so thankful to everyone who had given their support. The town is buzzing and we’re so looking forward to welcoming everyone to Belturbet this weekend.”