The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Shandrum Céilí Band to star at Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí
TRIPLE All-Ireland winning céilí band champions, the Shandrum Céilí Band, have been announced as one of the major acts for this year’s Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí which takes place in Milltown on the third weekend of June.
The well-known céilí band from North Cork, which was formed in 2014, but which has roots back in the 1950s, will perform in an open-air gig in Milltown on June 22 at 9pm.
The band performed at Áras an Uachtaráin on St Patrick’s Day 2016 and in Dublin Castle for the Official 1916 Rising State Commemoration. They were All-Ireland Céilí band champions in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
“It’s a great coup for us in Milltown to have the All-Ireland Céilí Band Champions performing at the Fleadh Cheoil.
“The band are in huge demand across the country not least since they were crowned All-Ireland champions for the third year in the row in 2017,’ said chairperson of Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí, Owen O’Shea.
“The open-air céilí has always been a feature of festivals in Milltown over the years and it makes for a great spectacle as dancers and onlookers gather from all over the county to enjoy some top quality music. The Shandrum will play a full céilí on the street in Milltown on the Friday night of the festival at 9pm and it promises to be a fantastic occasion,” he said.
Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí returns to Milltown this year after an 11-year absence and the local Milltown-Listry
Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is putting the finishing touches to the programme of events with a further big announcement of a headline act for the festival expected in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, a series of Rambling House events are being hosted by the Miltown Listry branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The latest Rambling House at Killarney Country Club on Friday night gave local musicians a chance to practise ahead of the big event in June.
Up to 20 young musicians, many of whom are currently learning to sing, play and dance for the first time, entertained a packed house prior to a lively session.
“With the Fleadh Cheoil returning to Milltown in June for the first time since 2007, this is all part of the build-up.
“The branch committee is busy fundraising for the event which will cost €60,000 to stage, and the response of businesses and local people has been wonderful,” said Owen.
“We have some amazing acts lined up to perform between 20th and 24 th June and we’ ll be aiming to build on Milltown’s well-known reputation for hosting some of the best Fleadhs in the county,” he added.
The next fundraiser for the Fleadh will be a table quiz in Karl J’s Bar in Milltown on Friday night next, 6th April at 8pm.
A host of events will take place in Milltown for the weekend of the Fleadh Cheoil; in song and dance expected to draw massive crowds to the mid-Kerry village the weekend.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council and by Kerry and West Limerick Credit Unions as well as local businesses and sponsors.