Fleadh in safe hands with Council

LOUTH County Councillor and Drogheda Mayor Frank Godfrey says that the staging of the 2018 and 2019 Fleadhs will be milestone occasions for the town of Drogheda.

With up to 400,000 people expected over the duration of the celebration of Irish culture, the mayor said ‘ The Fleadh is in safe hands with Lolo Robinson and the staff at Louth CC. The local committee are a credit to the town.

‘I have to thank the sponsors for their backing and they’ve done wonderful work to make Drogheda the best Fleadh ever.

The Mayor was speaking at a sponsorship announcement by Louth Members of the Drogheda & District Vintners & Hoteliers which will make up almost 15% of the total budget for hosting the forthcoming Fleadh in Drogheda.

The deal, which is worth in excess of €130,000, has the backing of all publicans in Drogheda who collectively employ in the region of 300 staff. Publicans and their suppliers have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for many months to put the package together.

‘ This is a real celebration of Drogheda and there’s nothing been seen like this since King William at the Battle of the Boyne and Cromwell!’

Lolo Robinson said the legacy of the Fleadh had already arrived with more and more young people getting involved.

Project Director Joan Martin said that with the backdrop of the viaduct, Laurence’s Gate, the river and other monuments, the Fleadh was going to be ‘fantastic’ for the town.

The strength of the people and the infrastructure were key for Vince Jordan, CCE President. ‘ This will be a massive success in this town.’

Geraldine Gilsenan from the Credit Union and Brian Browning from the Vintners also spoke about the excitement people are feeling in advance of the event.

Brian remarked that this was the chance to rebuild the town walls and lock the gates and keep everyone in. ‘ We’d be a city overnight!,’ he exclaimed.

He said they were delighted to present €130,000 to the Fleadh organisers and they were also looking further ahead with other proposed projects.

Ireland’s Ancient East would also be highlighted as a result of the Fleadh, Grainne Ward from the organisation added.

‘ This is a chance to showcase Drogheda and this area epitimises what our brand is all about.’

Fiddles and bodhrans which were made by the Drogheda Men’s Shed and decorated by secondary school students in the town were on display at the launch and these will be displayed in various shops throughout the town during the Fleadh in August.