LET’S GET REEL
400,000 visitors expected at olympics of irish music & song
IRELAND’S biggest music festival kicked off yesterday when President Michael D Higgins officially opened Fleadh Cheoil na heireann.
Tens of thousands of visitors packed into Drogheda for the week-long event dubbed the Olympics of Irish music, dance and culture.
Organisers say 30% of the expected 400,000 visitors are to travel from overseas, producing a huge windfall for the local economy. West Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, was a sea of colour yesterday with musicians giving performances throughout the day.
Arriving to open the Fleadh in Bolton Square Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina were greeted by a group of young Irish dancers.
He said: “In Drogheda we’re able and well to stress that Irish music, dance, poetry and song belongs to all of the traditions on the island of Ireland and I think this is a great opportunity of celebrating that.” Much of the historic town has been pedestrianised for the week and park-and-ride facilities have been set up to bring revellers in and out.
Some of the country’s leading traditional musicians, singers and dancers will take to stages in the coming days.
Performers include Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill, Zoe Conway, Damien Dempsey, Padraigin Ni Uallachain, Sibeal Davitt and Gerry O’connor.
As well as live performances there will also be classes and workshops throughout the week for a range of instruments, including the bodhran, concertina, fiddle, flute, harp, accordion and uilleann pipes.
The festival will also feature parades, competitions, ceilithe, town walks, youth events and street sessions.
Fleadh Cheoil, which organisers say is the world’s largest festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance, runs until Sunday.
Now in its 68th year, this is the first time it has been staged in Drogheda.
A testament to the organisers who are set to deliver a world-class event, the town has the honour of hosting the Fleadh next year too.
Anyone planning on attending has been asked by organisers to leave their car at home and make use of the many public transport options in and
out of the town. Drogheda is expected to reap huge economic benefits from the week-long event, with an estimated €40million expected to be generated for Louth as a result of the festival.
It also offers a unique opportunity to showcase Drogheda and Louth as a must-visit tourist destination to domestic and international audiences.
Ultimately it’s hoped one legacy will see visitors return visits to the area. Organisers promise the enter- tainment for families is endless, with events to suit all ages including a family gig rig, fun days in the parks, street entertainment and familyorientated concerts.
For more details of event times or if you wish to buy tickets visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie.