Stockton’s Wing set to top Trad bill as Fleadh returns to Milltown
AT the end of the Nineties and the beginning of the Noughties, Milltown became synonymous with Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí - the county’s premier traditional music festival. The town’s central location and reputation for a warm welcome and for hosting topclass entertainment made it the natural home of the Fleadh for many years. With the county’s last Fleadh being 11 years ago, the festival makes a welcome return to the mid- Kerry village this month.
The Milltown-Listry Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is one with plenty of experience in hosting large festivals and the programme of events in store this year confirms Milltown’s reputation for serious entertainment and some great family fun. With the traditional musical supremos, Stockton’s Wing, performing live and openair on 24 June, and with an open-air céilí with the triple All-Ireland champions, the Shandrum Céilí Band on 23 June, the standard of entertainment will be exceptionally high. Chairperson of Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí, Owen O’Shea, who has been involved in Fleadhs in Milltown for 20 years, said it’s great to bring the festival back to the town.
“Milltown is a town which has grown and developed so much since we last had the Fleadh in 2007. We have a brand new community centre and a new secondary school which will ensure the very best of facilities for the competitions, which are the centerpiece of the weekend,” he said.
‘Outside of all that, we are bringing back to town after 20 years Stockton’s Wing who played at our first Fleadh in 1998. They rocked the town then and they will rock the town again on Saturday night, 23 June from 9pm. We also have the Shandrum Céilí Band who are the best in the business and who will keep the dancers entertained in the Square. The traditional Sunday afternoon céilí with Uí Bhriain will also be a highlight,” Owen added.
For more information contact: fleadh2018@hotmail. com and visit: www.kerrycomhaltas.ie