Fleadh Cheoil week gets underway in Drogheda
Sunday saw a huge crowd of 10,000 people gather at Bolton Square, Drogheda, to see President Michael D Higgins open the biggest public attended event in Ireland and the biggest celebration of Irish tradition and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 offers Drogheda and the surrounding region a unique opportunity to showcase itself on both a national and international stage. With over 400,000 people expected to visit the region for the weeklong festival, 30 per cent of which are expected to travel from overseas, organisers are committed to promoting Drogheda and County Louth as a world-class tourist destination, with the aim of becomign the cultural capital of Ireland’s Ancient East.
President Higgins gave a powerful speech about the week ahead, highlighting Bliain na Gaeilge and the importance of using Irish language no matter how few words you may have. He commented on how the Fleadh Cheoil is much more than just an event, but a unifying force for people throughout both Ireland and abroad to experience creativity and celebrate a sense of community and Irish culture.
Staff, students and graduates from Dundalk Institute of Technology performed to a crowd of thousands in Bolton Square to welcome President Higgins.
Flute player Martha Guiney from Co Down and Dublin accordion player Joanne Cusack are graduates of the BA (Hons) Applied Music and have progressed to postgraduate studies in the University of Limerick and Maynooth University respectively. As students at DkIT, they represented the Institute internationally including tours of North America and Brazil, the latter as the Irish performing group at the 2016 International Society for Music Education Conference in Porto Alegre. They were joined on stage by current music student Ciara Brannigan from Drogheda and computing student Caoimhe McKiverigan from Co Down. Also performing in the group was music lecturer Dr DaithÍ Kearney and the Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at DkIT, Dr Adèle Commins.
As well as entertaining the crowd, the DkIT musicians performed the Presidential Salute. The group reflects the Institute’s reach on both sides of the border, which was also reflected in the repertoire performed by the group. Musicians from DkIT feature prominently throughout the week’s programme for the 2018 Fleadh with many other students joining the immense voluntary effort that contributes to making the event such a success.
The opening ceremony saw speeches from the Mayor of Drogheda, Councillor Frank Godfrey; Chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee, Lolo Robinson; President of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Vince Jordan; Ard Stiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Lábhrás Ó Murchu; and lastly, President Michael D. Higgins. Fleadh Mascot ‘Aisling’ commenced the ceremony with a short performance accompanied by traditional music youth orchestra Nós Nua.
The people of Drogheda have come together over the past number of months to ensure the town was Fleadh ready for the biggest event in the traditional Irish musicians’ calendar.
President Higgins, who is running for re-election to Aras an Uachtaran, took pride in taking time out to walk through the town to meet the public taking part in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, embracing the community spirit. He met many of the performers and organisers of the Fleadh along with members of the public during his six-hour visit.
Other events that took place yesterday include Zoe Conway and Julie Fowlis’ ‘New Songs from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Poems’ and the Fleadh Regional Showcase, which were both attended by President Higgins and his wife Sabina.
All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Champion (2001), and virtuoso musician, Zoë Conway, and Julie Fowlis, the multi-award winning Scottish singer, whose voice can be heard on songs from the film Brave, have collaborated with guitarist John McIntyre and bouzouki-player Éamon Doorley on an intriguing project aimed at creating new songs from existing Irish and Scottish Gaelic poems. This event took place at St Peter’s Church of Ireland and drew a large crowd.
Fleadh Regional Showcase took place at The Cresent Centre and acted as a gala opening-concert featuring the crème of talent from the North East, including sean-nós dancer Sibéal Davitt, celebrated fiddle-player Gerry O’Connor, Ulaid; John McSherry, Dónal O’Connor and Seán Óg Graham, Drogheda’s folk/trad trio- Kern, banjo-player Stevie Dunne, O-Reel, and many more.
Fleadh events this week
Muinteras Family-themed Lunchtime Concerts
Daily, Monday 13th- Saturday 18th August at 1pm in Droichead Arts Centre
Fleadh Cheoil 2018 Droichead Átha’s celebration of traditional music and its transmission within families featuring some well-known musical families from the Oriel Region - O’Connor Family (Ravensdale), O Raghallaigh Family (Rathmolyan), McGabhann Family (Baltrasna), McAdam Family (Ballybay), Byrne family (Newry) Mulligan Family (Dundalk)
Bloom of Youth Concert
Monday 13th August at 6.00pm in the Dominican Church/ St Magdalene’s
Celebrating Bliain na nÓg with a focus on County Louth’s up and coming musical talents. Including Nós Nua – Louth Youth Folk Orchestra, Louth Harp Ensemble & All Ireland instrumentalists Sarán Mulligan (concertina) Tadhg Mulligan (fiddle / bouzouki), Conal Duffy (pipes/double bass) with special guests.
Oriel Music & Song/ Cran
Monday 13th August at 6.00pm in St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Drogheda is situated at the southern end of the ancient kingdom of ORIEL stretching northwards across borders and boundaries to Armagh. It is one of the richest areas of traditional music in Ireland and has a wealth of music collected in manuscript and transmitted orally down through generations. It is unique on the east coast of Ireland in having a rich collection of songs both in English and in Irish – which was the language of the community spoken there until recent times.
An abundance of dance tunes were collected there from fiddlers and pipers, songs from native singers were recorded, and harp music written down in the 18th century, from the last of the great Irish harpers of Oriel.
These songs, tunes and harp airs are the core repertoire of some of the finest of contemporary singers and musicians, which include award winning singer, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, early Irish harper, Sylvia Crawford and champion fiddlers, Breige Quinn and Darren Magee - all from the Oriel region. Songs, tunes and harp music from Oriel spans the rich repertoire of traditional music handed down orally for generations, in a concert which includes lively dance tunes, elegant harp airs and a depth of songs of love and sorrow.
Cran perform in the second part of this special evening. A unique group in the Irish folk-music world with their highly individualistic approach and a bewildering array of styles and repertoire. Each member of the trio already had international reputations in their own fields before the band was formed. Desi Wilkinson had become a major force in the field of Irish flute-playing, both at home and abroad; Droghedean, Seán Corcoran was known internationally as one of the leading singers in the Hiberno-English and Gaelic traditions and also as a researcher and teacher and Ronan Browne had carved out a name for himself as one of the leading lights among a younger generation of uilleann pipers.
Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill
The Voice Squad
Monday 13th August at 8.00pm in the Crescent Theatre
A truly unique evening with the most sought-after duo in Irish traditional music; the extraordinary talent that is fiddle player Martin Hayes, and master guitarist Dennis Cahill; and one of the most distinctive unaccompanied singing groups of recent times - The Voice Squad; Phil Callery, Fran McPhail and Gerry Cullen.
The Road to Lough Swilly/ An Bóthar go dtí Loch Súilí
Tuesday 14th August at 6:00pm St Peter’s Church of Ireland
This concert will throw the spotlight on the collaborations of the composer and Aosdána member, Michael Holohan, with the acclaimed uilleann piper Mick O'Brien. The major work of the evening will be The Road to Lough Swilly/ An Bóthar go dtí Loch Súilí for uilleann pipes and string orchestra.
Mick O'Brien will also perform Holohan's ‘An Fear as Fingal’, a work for solo pipes, written to commemorate the great Seamus Ennis who spent his final years in the Naul, Co. Dublin. The concert will also feature arrangements of songs, airs and tunes which have a special connection with Drogheda and its immediate area including ‘The Bonny Light Horseman’, ‘Sweet Duleek Gate’ and ‘Dark Loch na Garr’, a beautiful air given to the composer by the concertina player Jim McArdle and the renowned Co. Clare fiddler, the late Joe Ryan who lived in later life in rural Drogheda.
The stellar line-up of performers will include The RTÉ Contempo Quartet, Mick O'Brien and family, The Boyne Chamber Orchestra and Michael Holohan.
BEOGA | Frankie Gavin - Toast to The Flanagan Bros.
Tuesday 14th August at 8.00pm in the Fleadh Concert Dome
A concert that will surely lift the roof off the Fleadh Dome. Beoga (Irish for ‘lively’) has been in existence for fifteen years, and in this time, they’ve produced five critically acclaimed albums, been shortlisted for a Grammy, performed with the Ulster Orchestra at the BBC Proms, and been presented with certificate of Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives. However, their recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran has brought them to another level and a new audience.
Join Gradam Ceoil Award ‘Traditional Musician of the Year 2018’, Frankie Gavin and his Roaring Twenties Irish Orchestra who will revive that extraordinary era once again in this toast to the Flanagan Brothers Award; the main quartet are Martin Murray (banjo), Frankie Gavin (fiddle), Emma Corbett (melodeon) and Carl Hession (piano). Other musicians on the night include clarinet, double bass and a brass section comprising four trumpets.
Annual Flanagan Brothers Concert
Wednesday 15th August at 6.00pm in St Peter’s Church of Ireland
The third Annual Flanagan Brothers Award will this year be presented to banjo legend, broadcaster, educator and traditional music advocate, Kieran Hanrahan. Kieran will be joined on the night by many of his musical friends and family, including members of the original Stockton’s Wing. Expect a unique night of music from one of the most influential people in Irish Traditional Music.
Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny
Maighread & Triona Ní Dhomhnaill
Moya Brennan & Cormac De Barra and Band
Wednesday 15th August at 8.00pm in the Fleadh Dome
A gala evening with some of the most influential and enduring musicians and singers in Irish traditional music.
Two giants of the Irish trad scene, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny are uniting for an evening of great music, a mixture of traditional songs, and originals composed by Andy. Between them, Irvine and Lunny have been at the helm of legendary bands like Sweeney’s Men, Planxty, The Bothy Band, Mozaik, LAPD and recently Usher’s Island. Their unique style of accompaniment is an ongoing influence in the wider world of Irish music. Lunny and Irvine will present a programme of Irish music and Andy's songs with a bit of Eastern European music.
Sisters Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill belong to a renowned singing family originally from the Donegal Gaeltacht. The unique style and repertoire of traditional singing they represent so gloriously together with their distinctive unison and harmonic interpretations make their live performances unforgettable heart-rending events, and the sound of their solo, and combined voices is indescribable but lingers in the memory forever.
Grammy award winner, Moya Brennan, the Voice of Clannad and First Lady of Celtic Music, and internationally renowned harp virtuoso Cormac De Barra both come from large musical families; their mutual admiration for each other naturally developed into a stimulating musical relationship, combining the simplicity, depth and beauty of their extraordinary skills. For this special performance they will be accompanied by Aislin on guitar bouzouki, vocals, Paul on percussion, keyboards, vocals and Lia on violin and vocals.
Fiddlers of Oriel
Thursday 16th August at 6.00pm in St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Highlighting the Oriel Region’s strong association and identity with traditional fiddle playing, and a unique opportunity to hear some of Ireland’s greatest fiddle players in concert. Presented by Austin Dawe and featuring Brendan Larrissy, Gerry O’Connor, Donal McCague, Antoine McGabhann, Jim McKillop, Josephine Keegan and friends.
RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Zoë Conway and John McIntyre with special guest Bill Whelan
Thursday 16th August at 8.00pm in the Fleadh Concert Dome
This August, and especially for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra makes a welcome return to Drogheda for a headline concert featuring soloists Zoë Conway and John McIntyre with special guest Bill Whelan, who will also perform in this programme of celebrated and much-loved works including special arrangements of new works by Zoë and John.
The Carolan Celebration: Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin
Friday 17th August at 6.00pm in St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Chair of Music and Founder/Director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, and recipient of the inaugural award Ollamh na hÉigse by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (2006), is noted for his development of a uniquely Irish traditional piano style. Mícheál makes a much-anticipated performance of this series of suites for solo piano, edited from the eighteenth century Irish harp music of Turlough O’Carolan. The music of this nomadic blind traditional harper, known simply as Carolan to his Anglo-Irish patrons, represents a sonic encodement of a rapidly changing Ireland.
National Folk Orchestra of Ireland
Friday 17th August at 8.00pm in the Fleadh Concert Dome
The Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland is made up of over sixty of the finest young traditional and classical musicians from twenty different counties in Ireland and from the U.K. This special concert with the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland and special guests, will take you on a journey through the musical and cultural landscape of Ireland honouring some of the great women and men who have helped shape and define our tradition down through the generations.
Hothouse Flowers
Friday 17th August at 10.00pm in The Crescent Theatre
Something amazing happens when Hothouse Flowers step onto the stage – something that has been shaped by over thirty years of singing and playing all over the world, yet no two shows have ever been the same. There is a sense of musical adventure - an impulse to reach new heights and depths in music where the unspoken aim is that the band and the audience become one and the world becomes a different place for a while.
Hothouse Flowers are a rock ‘n’ roll band, Hothouse Flowers are a traditional band, Hothouse Flowers are a soul band, Hothouse Flowers are a jam band with their own organic jam spread on both sides of the bread.
Despite the bands lengthy career, which is now heading into its fourth decade there is a sense of unfinished business. Their performance at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann promises to be memorable.
Damien Dempsey and Band
Friday 18th August at 8.00pm in The Crescent Theatre
So how do you describe Damien Dempsey’s music to someone who hasn’t yet been exposed to it? Take some reggae, fuse it with traditional Irish music, add in rock and folk and put it all through a grounded working class worldly-aware yet caring-consciousness, with a storyteller's eye for detail in the writing and delivery of his songs, and you’re some bit of the way there.
Damien Dempsey’s importance as a singer and songwriter of great passion, conviction and beauty has never been more prominent. Dempsey achieves a feeling at his concerts that other artists can only dream of. His connection with his audience is so palpable, the most cynical of souls cannot help but be moved by the experience.
Marbhna 1916 – Requiem
A special performance of the Requiem for 1916 in Irish, composed by Odhrán Ó Casaide. This powerful piece is inspired by the original pioneering work of Seán O Riada. The Requiem sets out to explore the beauty of sean nós voice, together with chamber choir and orchestra, classical solo voices, as well as traditional and early musical instruments. The blend of Irish and classical styles reflects the two great musical traditions in Ireland at the time of the Easter Rising in 1916. The high point of the Requiem is the setting of Patrick Pearse’s poem Fornocht de Chonac Thú where he turns his back on the beauty of this world and sets about the mission which he predicts will lead to his demise. This poem was composed in 1912 and is very similar in style to that of the great 18th Century poets. This is followed by Caoine na bPáistí – which is a lament specially written to commemorate all of the children who died in the Rising.
This special performance represents a celebration of the diversity of musical traditions in Louth in a wonderful collaborative community effort.
Senior Céilí Band Competition
Sunday 19th August at 7.00pm in the Fleadh Concert Dome
All roads lead to the Fleadh Concert Dome in Dominic’s Park for a fantastic night of potent ceol and ferocious competition as the bands battle it out for ultimate All-Ireland glory. Since the days when The Tulla and The Kilfenora waged musical war against each other, and more recently where The Shandrum conquered thrice, this competition has cast a spell over Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Fleadh Concert Dome promises to be a spectacular setting for this epic event.
An Teanga Beo ag an bhFleadh
Whether it’s a cúpla focal or your haon, dó, trí there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy using the Irish language at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda. 2018 is Bliain na Gaeilge and the Irish language will be an integral part of many aspects of the Fleadh. You can see it on the signs, speak it in the cafés, sing and dance with it on the streets and be entertained as Gaeilge.
As always, the Fleadh will create spaces for everybody to use the language, from conversation classes in the club cúpla focal each morning to ceol, comhrá agus cupán in various cafés throughout the town. There’s lots of family fun with Spraoi le Gaeilge arts and craft activities. There will be scéalta do dhaoine óga and some fun painting oidhreacht Lú. For more mature participants with an interest in local history, they can take to the streets on a siúlóid stairiúil. There are opportunities to venture further into Drogheda’s hinterland and the bus tours will include opportunities to share and explore the language of the region. Everybody can live out their adventurous side on the toraíocht taisce while those with a keen interest in aspects of Irish heritage will enjoy léachtanna at lunchtime.
The children of Drogheda have been learning their amhráin in school this year and everybody can join in a bar of a song at the singers’ clubs, sessions and on the street. Those with a desire to move can get involved in Hip Hop Damhsa, Damhsa Lyriciúil agus Damhsa Gaelach or the Céilí Mór down by the Gig Rig. Indeed, the Gig Rig will celebrate the Irish language across its programme with a dedicated Uair na Gaeilge each evening at 6pm with groups from the region’s Gaeltachts, sean nós singers and traditional music acts.
The fun and games continue on the streets of Drogheda with the Fanzini Brothers on Thursday and Friday who offer their unique form of street entertainment through the Irish language. There will be pop-up Gaeltachts in various locations and everybody is encouraged to bain úsáid as an teanga.
No matter where you are from, celebrate an Ghaeilge agus bí bródúil aisti!