The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí sparks into life
IT would be hard to pick a single highlight from the Fleadh Cheoil roster but, without doubt, the summer solstice ceremony last Thursday night would have to be a part of the discussion.
Chairman Owen O’Shea said he marvelled at the celebration, which brought some 300 people to Killaclohane Portal Tomb as the sun set at the end of the longest day of the year.
“It was a spectacular event,” Owen told The Kerryman.
“It was so well-received that you’d have to wonder if it could be done again, Fleadh or no Fleadh. It was a highly spiritual and emotional event for those in attendance.
“With the sun setting over Dingle Bay and Sliabh Mish, it really was a sight to behold.”
With the solstice bonfire ablaze, the crowd was treated to the presence of Drum Dance Ireland, adding a suitable beat to the occasion as the Dingle Druid Juli Ní Mhaoileoin did her piece.
There was also performances by harpist Reidun Schlesinger and uileann piper Barry Lynch. Joan Green put her singing talents on full show, while Eileen Sheehan recited some of her poetry.
It all added a suitably ancient feel to complement the occasion.
“The theme of this year’s Fleadh was ‘Reconnecting with the Past,’ and this was a great way of doing that,” Owen said.
“An excavation took place in around 2015, and it was discovered that Killaclahane Portal Tomb dates back to around 3,800BC, some 6,000 years ago.
“This makes it the oldest known man-made structure in Kerry and the oldest known burial ground.
“The feedback we got was terrific, and the entertainment, music, song, dance, poetry, and the presence of the Dingle druid fitted with the occasion perfectly as we reconnected with our roots.”