By Dan Walsh
Gorey will host Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman with an exciting weekend of Fleadh-based events which is a qualifier for competitors to progress from county level, taking place in Gorey, to the Leinster level (this year in Wicklow town from July 12th-14th), and finally to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, in Wexford town from August 4th-11th.
Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman takes place in Gorey Community School from Friday to Sunday, inclusive, May 17th-19th. Competitions will span across four age categories: Under12, 12-15, 15-18, and senior, encompassing a wide array of Irish traditional instruments such as fiddle, flute, harp, uilleann pipes, banjo, accordion, concertina, along with dance and singing. Ensembles including duets, trios, grúpa cheoil, marching and céilí bands will also compete, drawing particularly large crowds, especially the céilí bands.
Participating Comhaltas Ceolltoiri Éireann (CCÉ) craoibhe include Bannow, Gorey/Ballygarrett, Tuaisceart Loch Garman, Ferns, Craobh Loch Garman, Inis Cóirthe, Kilmuckridge/Monamolin, Carraig Bán, Craobh Chaoimhín Naofa and Fr. Murphy’s CCÉ.
Exciting events like a window competition and a traditional Irish Music Busking Competition will take place on Saturday from 11am to 3pm throughout the town and will add to the atmosphere of Gorey for the weekend ahead!
An exhibition of old photos from the 1962 Fleadh in Gorey will be held in the foyer at Gorey Civic Offices, offering insight into the town’s rich Fleadh history. Additionally, a first-hand account of the event by local man, Tomás Keegan, who participated in the 1962 event, will be documented for this exhibition.
Fleadh Cheol Loch Garman 2024 and Fringe Fleadh Cheoil County Events was launched by Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Cllr Pip Breen, in Gorey Civic Offices on Thursday evening. Eddie Taaffe, Chairman of Wexford Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann Committee also addressed the gathering.
The official launch was followed with musical entertainment from CCÉ Gorey/ Ballygarrett and performances from International Uilleann Piper Mark Redmond. Refreshments were served.
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