By Dan Walsh in Wexford
Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins will be in Wexford town on Sunday afternoon where he will officially launch Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 from the impressive Wexford Credit Union stage on Wexford Quay and get the festivities under way for a week-long celebration of Irish music, dance, song, storytelling and comhrá Gaeilge that will run until August 11th and will attract thousands of visitors to Co. Wexford.
Uachtarán Higgins and Ms. Sabina Higgins will arrive on stage at 4pm where an Ecumenical Blessing will be performed by Bishop Ger Nash, Very Rev. Billy Swan, Wexford town, and The Reverend Canon Nicola Halford, Rector Enniscorthy Union of Parishes. The opening musical presentation features the Blackwater Ceilí Band, 2018 All-Ireland champions from Clogher Valley, Co. Tyrone.
Speakers will include Mr. Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, Cllr George Lawlor, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Ms. Attracta Ni Bhrádaigh, Uachtarán Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, An t-Uas. Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ard-Stiúrthóir Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Mr. Joss O’Connor, Wexford Credit Union and Mr. Eddie Taaffe, Chairman of Fleadh Cheoil 2024 and Chief Executive of Wexford County Council.
Mr. Pat Flanagan, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be master of ceremonies and will open proceedings at 3pm with the Opening Showcase Concert by Ceoltóirí na Sláine, a traditional music orchestra, formed in August 2023 by Barbara Walsh and Shelly O’Grady with 80 Wexford teenage musicians to celebrate Wexford’s winning bid to be host of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2024 and 2025.
There will be a Marching Band parade on Wexford Quay escorted by Wexford Pikemen and Women, commemorating 1798, Wexford’s Buí Bolg, members of New Ross & District Pipe Band, New Ross FCA Pipe Band, Gorey Pipe Band, Ballingeary, Cork, Arklow Pipe Band, Cullen (Cork), De la Salle Scout Pipe Band (Waterford), St. Joseph’s (Clondalkin) and individual pipers and drummers from Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Kerry and Limerick. As well as the native Irish participation in the massed band section, the organisers are delighted to be joined by pipers from other nations including Eamon Gaffney from the Queensland Irish Pipe Band, Monica Gomez from Uruguay, Etienne Baranger from France, and Fergus MacLeod from Scotland. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and hosted by the local Wexford Town Fleadh Executive Committee in association with Wexford County Council.
WexfordLocal.com 