Fleadh 2023 will be '30 percent' bigger

Next year’s fleadh in Mullingar will be "30 percent" bigger than this year’s event, according to the chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee Joe Connaire.

Speaking at the Mullingar Chamber Business Awards in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Friday night, Mr Connaire said that while many local people left Mullingar for the week of the fleadh, they won’t be doing the same next year.

"I have no doubt that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be 30 percent bigger next year because the people of Mullingar did not know what Fleadh was about. A lot of them went off on their holidays, but now they know and the ones that went on their holidays ain’t going to be going on their holidays next year. They are going to stay in town to enjoy the music, the fun that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann brings."

During his speech Mr Connaire, who along with fleadh committee vice-chairperson Willie Penrose and secretary Collette Glynn were presented with momentos from Mullingar Chamber, said that it will take in the region of €2m to stage next year’s event.

In order to raise that €2m, the committee needs the financial support of local businesses, Mr Connaire said. He also noted that this year's generated €50m for the local economy.

"We need as many businesses in the town and on the outskirts to help us achieve our goal.

"I want to sincerely thank all of the businesses on the periphery of the town that supported us generously and I want to thank all the ones on the main streets that supported us generously.

"I want to also call on those people and businesses that now have seen what Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann brings to a town to support us in 2023.”

Chamber President John Geoghegan said that given the success of the fleadh the organising committee could have been won every award category.