Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann This Week

Alana Laverty

Ah Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann…

The best event on the Irish music calendar celebrating Irish culture in its finest form and attracting hundreds of thousands of Irish music, song and dance enthusiasts from all over the globe.

For the second year in a row the largest Irish Traditional Music Festival in the world is taking place in Ennis, Co. Clare having been officially launched earlier today by Lord of the Dance himself, Michael Flatley.

The location for the legendary Fleadh changes every year but it has been to Ennis before, in 1956, 1977 and, of course, last year.

For many, the Fleadh is the culmination of months of hard work and practice as they compete against fellow musicians, singers and dancers to achieve the recognition of being an All-Ireland champion. For others it is a unique and welcoming festival of the best of traditional arts that offers a wide range of activities to be enjoyed by all.

It’s massive. We’re talking:

10,000 session musicians
3,000 competitors
2,000 seat Dome
1,500 volunteers
400 events

Jaysis.

“With Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann INIS 2016 a resounding success, we are building on this to deliver another great Fleadh in 2017. With the support of our sponsors and the co-operation of Comhaltas, the Management and Staff of Clare County Council, local businesses, Clare Volunteer Centre, An Garda Síochána and the Health and Emergency Services Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2017 will leave a lasting legacy in County Clare to be celebrated and enjoyed for many years to come.”

Frank Whelan, Cathaoirleach, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2017

Celebrating the survival and prosperity of that music, song and dance as it is handed down through the generations and spread throughout the world by the Irish diaspora is central to Legacy – the flagship event of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2017.

Specially commissioned by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and featuring The Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland with guests, Legacy tells the story of the music that refused to die. This unique and powerful concert traces the roots of the tradition, where generations of Irish men and women nurtured the music and song, language and stories to leave us with the vibrant, living legacy that is our Irish traditional arts today. This never before seen musical celebration of Ireland’s Cultural Legacy will take place at the Shannon Aerodome Ennis, on Friday August 18 at 8pm.

The full list of competitions can be found here.

Header image: RollingNews.ie

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