FleadhFest will give people of Sligo a boost this summer, say organisers
ORGANISERS of the FleadhFest event due to take place in August have said it will provide a lift for the people of Sligo. Bartley Gavin and Micheál Ó Domhnaill were speaking before Sligo County Council this week, seeking their support in running the festival which will have events with audiences and virtual events. FleadhFest is taking the place of the normal Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann festival, which cannot be held due to the level of crowds it attracts every year. Bartley Gavin, a former county council director of housing, said that the qualification process will not be happening in 2021 and that FleadhFest will combine all aspects of the Fleadh, which normally has county and provincial festivals in the build-up to the main annual celebration. “FleadhFest will take place in August. Comhaltas made a decision to cancel all Fleadhs – county, regional and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The usual Fleadh process is being replaced in 2021 by FleadhFest which will have a county, provincial and overseas element culminating with the national FleadhFest.” Mr Gavin, who was also involved in the organising committee for the 2014 and 2015 festivals held in Sligo, said a partnership with
Sligo
County Council would unlock FleadhFest’s full potential.
“At a time when towns and counties are looking at ways to engage with visitors, FleadhFest will present Sligo with business, tourism and culture opportunities to promote our county and our aim is to partner with the council to achieve the maximum benefit for our county by building on the relationships which delivered the 2014 and 2015 Fleadhs.” Michael Ó Domhnaill said that Sligo’s successful application to host the event was likely based on several aspects – including the role of Sligo County Council in previous festivals.
“Comhaltas aproached several towns invited to express an interest. When that competition concluded, Sligo had the honour of being selected, no doubt based partly on experience and the strong record of support from the county council, the support of IT Sligo and unique community spirit evident throughout.” “In partnership with Sligo County Council, FleadhFest has the potential to become Ireland’s most innovative and culturally important festival this year,” he added.
Mr Ó Domhnaill outlined plans for FleadhFest and said organisers will be able to adapt their schedule depending on public health guidelines in August.
“We have planned a mixture of virtual and actual events. Concerts and street events will have limited participants and crowds based on what pandemic protocols allow. We hope a vaccine programme will be in place and administered to enough of the population to enable it to at least be an actual traditional festival. It is also hoped businesses will be operational once more. Should that scenario come to pass, the opportunity will be there to provide more events in a safe and family-friendly environment.” In the worst case scenario, Mr Ó Domhnaill said that many events will be broadcast online on all platforms, while others are scheduled to be televised regardless of what level of attendance is permitted. “TG4 have committed to four nights of two hour concerts already as well as streaming some competitions. RTE have always been supportive of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann and we are confident they will row in behind this particular festival when they see the efforts being made locally to produce a festival of national and international importance.”
Sligo County Council cathaoirleach Cllr Dara Mulvey said the council would be “delighted to support this and hope it will be a great success”.