The next best thing to the Fleadh

Nothing compares to attending Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in person, but with the All Ireland event planned for Mullingar cancelled due to the pandemic, TG4 is eager put on the next best thing.

Fleadhfest ’21 a series of programmes celebrating the 70th anniversary of one of Ireland’s most significant cultural events.

For the next five weeks, the Baile na hAbhann broadcaster will be Fleadh Cheoil central! Presenters Daithí O Sé and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will be taking to the four corners of the country, listening to the best of music, song and dance from across the provinces, and further afield, before landing in Sligo for ‘Fleadhfest na hEireann’ at the beginning of August.

Beginning on TG4 on Sunday, July 11 at 9.30pm, viewers will be treated to a wealth of musical talent from Leinster, including Finbar Furey, Jig Jam, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Sorcha Ní Scolaí. Over the following three weeks Dáithí and Doireann will be travelling to Ulster – where we meet Bríd Harper, Nathan Carter, Naomi Smith, Connla and The Buncrana Allstars. In Connacht performances are from The Foxford Ceilí Band, Matt Molloy, Daithi Gormley and Catherine McHugh and in Munster we have music from Noel Hill, Sliabh Notes, Tove Byers, The O’Gorman Family, Sean Ó Sé with Peadar Ó Riada before landing in Sligo for three consecutive nights of performances on August 6, 7 and 8.

Throughout the series, archive footage is combined with contemporary filmed material. The rich tapestry of old and new convey the deep-rooted connections to Irish music, song and dance in each of the provinces over the past century.

Rooted in the tradition of the event, Fleadhfest ‘21 promises to be engaging, unmissable entertainment for the hundreds of thousands of people who would, in any other year, have found themselves at the Fleadh Cheoil this August.

Produced by Power Pictures the series begins at 9.30pm on TG4 Sunday nights, beginning July 11.