Fleadh

Traditional feasts – Ulster Fleadh 2018

Soapbox on July 27, 2018, 11:20 am | Readers 1426

Reading David McCann’s account of his first visit to the Museum of Orange Heritage, I was reminded of the fascination and challenge of learning about other cultures and traditions, especially here, where the divide between the two dominant traditions has been particularly evident in the last number of weeks. With over 25,000 visitors expected to flock to Castlewellan in County Down this weekend, for the celebration of traditional music – from Sean-nós to Ceilí Bands, from strict competition to impromptu …

Derry is different. The lessons for Belfast are limited

Brian Walker on August 21, 2013, 12:37 pm | Readers 582

How different is Derry? Dan Keenan in the Irish Times and Steven McCaffery in the Detail are right to celebrate the huge success of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann under the broad banner of UK City of Culture. McCaffery draws an appropriate conclusion from the inclusive flavour evident in the Fleadh and the whole year so far. What a turn round for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as well as community relations in our time. The Fleadh is an Irish event and will inevitably have …

“and it is all taking place during the 400th anniversary of the city being granted its Royal Charter…”

Pete Baker on January 31, 2012, 2:33 pm | Readers 61

A UTV report acknowledging the contribution of PSNI Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin in Londonderry’s successful bid, against Sligo, to host the All-Ireland Fleadh during the UK City of Culture year notes another reason for denizens of the city to celebrate in 2013. From the UTV report The addition of the Fleadh means 2013 is shaping up to be a year to remember for the city. It will coincide with the Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture – and it is all …

Londonderry to host All-Ireland Fleadh in UK City of Culture year

Pete Baker on January 28, 2012, 3:41 pm | Readers 55

After the application of some internal, and external, pressure the Ulster Council of Comhaltas reversed their earlier decision in time for the organisation’s central executive to select Londonderry to host their All-Ireland Fleadh during the UK City of Culture year in 2013. In the event, the only other candidate was Sligo… [Adds – Apparently Ennis withdrew their bid “for the greater good”.] Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the launch of a £1million Big Lottery fund for UK City of Culture celebrations, there …

“This further signifies the positive effect the City of Culture title is generating in the region…”

Pete Baker on January 23, 2012, 10:53 pm | Readers 60

Whilst Comhaltas dither, and differ, over whether to hold their All-Ireland Fleadh in Londonderry during the UK City of Culture year in 2013, the UK’s Big Lottery Fund Chair, Peter Ainsworth, was in the city today to announce a £1million small grants programme to “support communities across Northern Ireland that want to play a part in the City of Culture celebrations in 2013.” From the UK’s Big Lottery Fund press release Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of Culture Company 2013, said: “We …

“I am shocked, totally and utterly shocked.”

Pete Baker on January 23, 2012, 10:54 am | Readers 102

After dithering by the Londonderry branches, about being associated with the UK City of Culture, it’s now reported that the Ulster Council of Comhaltas have declined to support the city’s bid to host the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013. From the Derry Journal report Moves to bring the 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh will now not proceed after the Ulster Council said it had security fears about bringing the event to the city. The Ulster Council said it was with “deep regret and …

Londonderry’s bid for All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013 to go ahead

Pete Baker on January 19, 2012, 12:34 pm | Readers 55

At the second tiime of asking, Londonderry branch delegates of Comhaltas have agreed to bid to host the All-Ireland Fleadh during the UK City of Culture year by 13 votes to 1. As the BBC report notes Some Comhaltas members, who initially opposed the move because of the UK link in Derry’s City of Culture 2013 title, did not attend. [Lost in traffic? – Ed] Possibly… Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson has launched her campaign “to neutralise the U.K. prefix…” …

“we are a city of culture…”

Pete Baker on January 5, 2012, 3:36 pm | Readers 117

More symptoms of that political psychosis in evidence in Londonderry. Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson has informed the BBC that, at a meeting of the Irish music organisation Comhaltas in the city on Wednesday night, members failed to agree on a bid to host the all-Ireland Fleadh in 2013. From the BBC report “It is deeply disappointing,” [Martina Anderson] said. “My understanding is that County Derry branches are against it and the city branches are for it.” The problem? According to the report Sinn …