Minister Dara Calleary, Local Councillors, Connacht Fleadh Committee & Officers of Connacht Comhaltas together with local musicians, at the Launch of the Connacht Fleadh 2023, in Ballina.

The 2023 Connacht Fleadh incorporating the inaugural community Fleadh has been launched in Ballina by Minister Dara Calleary TD

The event took place in the Ballina Civic Offices on Fri night last.

Representatives from Mayo County Council, Ballina 2023 committee and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann representatives from all over Connacht attended the launch.

Minister Dara Calleary TD has appealed to everybody in the community to come out and support this major Irish cultural event as Ballina celebrates it’s 300th  centenary.  ”There is something for everybody he said and the Fleadh kicks off this coming Friday June 23rd and runs until July 2nd. The local organising committee have a huge comprehensive programme of events in store.

Dr Labhrás O’Murchu, Árd Stiuthoir, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, will perform the official opening of the Connacht Fleadh and Fleadh an Phobail – Community Fleadh in Ballina on Fri June 30th at 7.30pm in the Ballina Arts Centre.

Ballina will host Fleadh an Phobail – community Fleadh as a pilot scheme and the success of the Ballina events will decide its future. Dr O’Murchú and members of the Árd Comhairle in Dublin will be in Ballina for a number of days to gauge the level of support for the new community Fleadh and will work with the local organising committee in identifying possible areas of improvements in an effort to develop the community Fleadh further.

All local organisations in the community will have the opportunity to be part of this celebration and showcase their clubs, organisations, societies.

PRO, Eamonn Walsh has appealed to every traditional musician in the region and beyond to join us for the many pub and street sessions organised for  “Fleadh Ballina”.

The market Square will be a hive of activity on Sat July 1st and Sun July 2nd from 2pm with a gig rig featuring the cream of local traditional musicians, a Marquee with set-dancing and Sean-Nós dancing workshops, cookery demonstration, Dunderry High Nellie Cycle club and much more.

Anybody with an old Vintage bicycle regardless of condition is invited to bring them along for display on Sun July 2nd and dress in period costume.

Another highlight of the week is a lecture on 1916 Leader Eamonn Ceannt by his grand-niece Mary Gallagher in the Jackie Clarke Collection on Wed June 28th at 7pm. Eamonn Ceannt’s set of Uilleann Pipes will be transported from the Curragh Military Museum and put on display for the event.

US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin has been invited to attend a special Fleadh Mass on Sun July 2nd.  Members of the local Comhaltas group who entertained President Biden at Enniscoe House will provide background music and guest soloist is former Eurovision legend “Dana”.

Full details of the event can be had on www.connachtfleadh.ie or Tel: 087-2775317

Minister Dara Calleary, Local Councillors, Ballina 2023 and Connacht Fleadh Committee pictured with local musicians, at the Launch of the Connacht Fleadh, in Ballina

Local Musicians at the Launch of Connacht Fleadh 2023 in Ballina