The schedule of events for the 2016 Galway County Fleadh, to be held over the weekend of May 13th-15th in Glenamaddy has been announced by Craobh Tom Morrison, the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The competition, which has attracted nationwide interest and drawn competitors from across the county, including the Aran Islands, will open on Friday evening at 7 pm in Glenamaddy Community School.
There will be a festival of traditional music provided by local musicians of all ages and a tin whistle competition, organised for local national schools, which will be adjudicated by Noreen O’Sullivan and Mary Murray.
Saturday, May 14th, sees competition begin in earnest at 10 am with music in the school with an outstanding thirteen bands and twelve grúpaí cheoil registered.
The dancing competition will be held through the day in the Community Centre at the Creggs Road and all are welcome to come along and enjoy the competitions at either venue throughout the weekend.
Saturday also sees a Fleadh Mass concelebrated at 7 pm by Fathers Mooney and Goaley in St Patrick’s Church, followed by a celebration and memories of the music of Tom Morrison and Michael Kennedy back in the Community School.
This ‘look back’ on the famed musicians will be introduced and discussed by Dublin-based Aidan Connolly (fiddle), Oisín Morrison (flute and harp) and Liam McGonigle (accordion).
There is an open invitation to musicians to participate in the tribute, where celebrated Morrison/Kennedy tunes such as Maggie in the Woods, Sweet Flowers of Milltown, Boys of Ballinahinch and Pretty Girls from Mayo are expected to feature.
Competition continues at both the Community School and Community Centre on Sunday morning from 10 am.
This will be followed at 4 pm by a session for beginners and advanced musicians in Jim Pete’s on the Kilkerrin Road where Glenamaddy-based Mary Jo Fitzpatrick will host what is expected to be a strong gathering.
At 6 pm on Sunday, there will be a Farewell Concert and it is hoped, weather-permitting, that this will be an open-air event and the crowds will gather around the famous four roads for a feast of music and dance.
It is also hoped that two of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians, Sean Keane and Pat Coyne, will make an appearance during the evening.
To round off the weekend, and bring the Fleadh to a resounding close, there will be a Céilí with music by the Glenside Céilí Band in Glenamaddy Community Centre from 8 pm to 11 pm.
All are welcome to attend what will surely be a rousing night and a fitting end to what organisers expect will be a memorable event to add to Glenamaddy’s musical heritage.
