20 GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE 2018 FLEADH
THERE were thousands of highlights, literally thousands, but some moments just stopped time - for a split second.
Others were just funny, eye catching and in some instances - revolutionay!
So, to pick 20 moments is a task - but here goes.
* The Triskell Céilí Band from Termonfeckin took to the gig rig on Wednesday and the aim was to get a few people to do a set dance or two. Hundreds took to the ‘floor’ and the place went wild. Expect the Sandpit weekly sessions to get a big boost prior to 2019!
* A pop up bar appeared on Dyer Street and came up with a very appropriate name - Dyer Straits!
* The people in D’Vine ‘ built’ their own outdoor venue and it really looked the part.
* The McGowan clan at the top of King Street turned Scholars into a Fleadh Village so you could drink, sleep, eat, listen to music and whatever else without leaving the confines of the place. A great sight was staff member Brendan doing the brush dance to great acclaim.
* The South Bank Show was provided by another ‘village’ theme with the Hops Bar, Fuschia Glamher Van, burgers and the rest taking over an area at Scotch Hall. A wonderful location it proved to be.
* The young Australian with his didgeridoo who has spent the last 13 years travelling around the world.His name was Crimmin and walking down Shop Street what did he see - Crimmins. ‘It was the first time I saw a shop with my name so I had to perform here,’ he told the hundreds who gathered around him.
* The performance on Thursday night when Pat Byrne of The Voice fame, Carolan Brothers and Hoodwink combined for an awesome set outside the Westcourt Hotel.
* Chatting to Liam Mullen outside Jojos and finding out what was the best seller all week - ice cream, he revealed. ‘Everyone was going crazy for it!’.
* A delightful little location with good food was the Secret Garden on Scholes Lane.
* Another big plus was the late night dining provided by Hurley Brothers on Narrow West Street.
* The sight of a noodles restaurant becoming a pop up bar!
* The number of missing panes of glass. It seemed as if the big thing suddenly became taking the front window out of your premises and selling literally everything out of it!
* A wonderful looking location was Fifty 4, the seafood hotspot on Laurence’s Street
* And we have to mention Izmoo across the way who were the first to get their window removed months before the Fleadh.
* The reception area at the Westcourt Hotel ‘disappeared’ to be replaced by a bar area.
* The magnificent sight at the Boyne RFC who provided a camping spot and had everything on board. The O’Raghallaigh’s also provided a great service as did St Nick’s for parking.
* St Fechins was also a great location and acted as the official location for the Fleadh. The regular shuttle bus service made sure everyone was catered for.
* The sight of members of an Garda Siochana proving great sports - and good spoons players too.
* The incredible feeling of walking down West Street and every few seconds hearing different musicians perform.
* The ingenius Drogheda business people. From selling antiques to gold, clothes to hats, the traders managed to manoeuvre their business to meet the needs of the visiting people - food, drink and ice cream.
And well done to the organisers for keeping West Street clear of other traders, allowing the locals an open field.