Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019 opens in Drogheda on Sunday
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019, opening in Drogheda on Sunday, boasts some of the country’s most talented musicians, singers and dancers including Nathan Carter, Damien Dempsey, Martin Hayes, Zoë Conway, RTE Concert Orchestra and Hothouse Flowers. Muintearas Lunchtime Concerts are scheduled throughout the week, as well as Ceol Le Clapsolas with some wonderful performers over the course of the Fleadh. As well as the headliners, there are many singing recitals, ceilithe and cultural tours and sessions to be enjoyed by all.
Damien Dempsey will perform the inaugural concert of Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann 2019, on Saturday 10th August alongside his band the exceptional talent of Téada with Seamus Begley, Sárán and Tadhg Mulligan at the Coca-Cola Dome. Witness a night of musical ingenuity for this Drogheda Dome Trad Deluxe.
After a truly memorable Boyneside Dome Concert in 2018, the indefatigable and ebullient RTÉ Concert Orchestra return to Drogheda, under the baton of David Brophy, in a special Fleadh programme of classic and new traditional compositions. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will headline Sunday 11th of August alongside Zoë Conway and John McIntyre at the Coca-Cola Dome.
The Martin Hayes Quartet will perform at the Augustinian Church on Monday 12th August, with the addition of a range of sonic possibilites provided by the bass clarinet and viola d’amore. Their legendary explorations and arrangements of Irish music now push into new territory with the deep mellow sound of bass clarinet, played by the virtuosic Doug Wieselman and the warm tones of the viola played by the brilliant Liz Knowles in addition to the longstanding partnership between Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, in what has been described as ‘a highly resonant coming together' by The Irish Times.
The Gala Concert will take place on Tuesday 13th August at the Coca-Cola Dome and will feature performances from Horslips, Four Men and a Dog, and Stocktons Wing.
The 4th Annual Flanagan Brothers award will be presented to musician & educator, John Carty on Wednesday 14th August at St. Peter’s Church of Ireland. John Carty’s festival band, led by John on banjo, fiddle, flute and tenor guitar with his son, James on fiddle, Shane McGowan on guitar and Kieran Munnelly on drums, will anchor this evening which will showcase many of John’s influences and friends from his extensive musical career, including Seamus O’Donnell.
Also taking place on 14th August is Cherish the Ladies – Heart of The Home Concert. Legendary Irish-American ensemble, Cherish the Ladies will assemble an all-star crew for an unforgettable night of traditional Irish music, song and dance featuring music from their latest album, Heart of the Home.
Nathan Carter will take centre stage on Thursday 15th August alongside his band and Tony Clayton-Lea. Nathan Carter is one of the most successful live acts in Ireland today, and one of the most celebrated contemporary Irish diaspora. Musician and songwriter, Carter has been acknowledged as the catalyst to the rebirth of popularity of Country Music in Ireland; he performs for the very first time in the official Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Concert Programme in a Dome extravaganza with his extraordinary band, in a special concert which will reflect his deep roots in Irish traditional music. The evening opens with an in-conversation with writer and broadcaster Tony Clayton-Lea and Nathan Carter on his trad roots, influences and musical passions.
After an epic and truly memorable performance by Hot House Flowers in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018, the famous 5 of trad return for a Thursday night performance of musical adventure at the Barbican Centre that will surely equal the unique, fluid and energetic mastery that audiences witnessed last year.
Oriel Wave, an evening of music and song inspired by the Ulster Tradition will be presented by The Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland and special guests on Friday 16th August at the Augustinian Church. Featuring the music of composer Tom Doorley and comprising over sixty of the finest young traditional and classical musicians from twenty different counties across the Island of Ireland, The Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra is making a welcome return to Drogheda following their acclaimed performance of Legacy at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018.
The Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Overseas Concert will take place on Saturday 17th August at St Peter’s Church. In recent decades, more and more people across the globe have come to appreciate, enjoy and participate in Irish traditional music, song and dance.
Watch the bands battle it out for ultimate All-Ireland glory at the Senior Ceili Band Competition at St Dominics Park on Sunday 18th August. This highly anticipated competition has cast a mighty spell over Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The creative energy of every fleadh expresses itself this thrilling night in an epic competition of collective trad talent which never ceases to excite and invigorate.
As the week draws to a close, the Farewell from Fleadh concert takes place on Monday 19th August at the Barbican Centre. As well as music from Nuala Kennedy, John Doyle, Colm Phelan, Conal O’Kane and Aine McGeeney, the concert will also feature some of the most exciting new emerging talents of the region. The evening closes with a tribute to the late John Watts, leas cathaoirleach of Drogheda Comhaltas, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Tickets for all Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann concerts can be purchased at www.fleadhcheoil.ie
Scoil Eigse
At Scoil Éigse – CCÉ’s annual international Summer School students of all ages register for the various instrumental music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes. Scoil Eigse will take place from August 11th-16th. Daily classes are central to the Summer School study plan, with students placed in appropriately graded instrumental music classes.
There are a range of classes to suit all, where applicants can learn Amhránaíocht, Banjo, Bodhrán, Button Accordion, Concertina, Fiddle, Flute, Harp, Piano Accompaniment, Piano Accordion, Uilleann Pipes, Rince ar an Sean-nós, Traditional Singing, and the Whistle.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Make sure to learn a cúpla focail at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil with the extensive line up of classes, music and chit chat lined up for the week of the Fleadh.
The Irish language has a central role in the activities of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda. Seachtain na Gaeilge features a wide range of activities for all age groups and all abilities: Irish classes, dancing classes, historical walking tours, lectures, fun for all the family, quiz, treasure hunt, Pop up Gaeltacht, biodiversity workshop, song workshop for children, art and colouring competitions, storytelling and music and song in Irish on the Gig Rig.
Youth Events at the Fleadh
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Drogheda aims to ensure there is something for the whole family to enjoy throughout the week. There will be a number of youth events hosted in the Barbican Theatre, the Gig Rig and Ballymakenny College for free of charge for the children attending the Fleadh. These fun, interactive sessions will be hosted by some wonderful musicians from both Ireland and Scotland and will teach the children a wealth of knowledge about the irish culture through music, song, dance and language.
The Trad Disco will be returning to Electric Ballroom this August 16th from 11:30pm til late, with renowned Trisco DJ Paddy ‘Trad with Pad’ Callaghan. From Glasgow, Scotland, Paddy blends Irish Traditional Music with dance beats and tunes from around the world to create a unique and thrilling experience. This is an over 18’s event.
How to get to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Drogheda is located 30 miles north of Dublin and 70 miles south of Belfast. Getting here is easy, as Drogheda is only 20 minutes from Dublin Airport, and just 1.5 hours from Belfast. A first class modern transport network linking Dublin with Belfast passes directly through Drogheda.
Getting here by car, bus or train is easy. The towns strategic location just off the M1 and its first class public transport links makes it the perfect location for visitors to travel to with ease.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is urging visitors to use public transport as the town of Drogheda has been pedestrianised to host the influx of visitors throughout the week. If you need to bring your car, please note that there are a number of road closures and traffic obstructions in place throughout the town. More information on road closures can be found here: http://fleadhcheoil.ie/fleadh-2019-road-closures/
The train is the perfect way to travel to Drogheda as the Fleadh will take place a short walk from Drogheda station between Dublin and Drogheda, you can sit back, relax and let Irish Rail do the driving. We have teamed up with Irish Rail for this occasion, who will be operating additional evening services throughout the week of the Fleadh. Additional services are as follows:
Friday 16th August
23:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
01:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
Saturday 17th August
23:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
01:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
Sunday 18th August
23:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
01:00hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly
Drogheda also has substantial bus services with over 100 coaches to and from Dublin being run each day throughout the Fleadh. Bus Eireann operates frequent Expressway and regular services to Drogheda from Dublin, Belfast, Dundalk, Galway and Navan. There is an express hourly bus service available from Dublin Airport, which connects the airport with Balbriggan, Julianstown and Drogheda.
If you are visiting the Fleadh from overseas, there are a number of international airlines who operate regular flights to Dublin and Belfast. Drogheda is a 20 minute drive from Dublin Airport and and hour and a half from Belfast International Airport.
Dublin Ferryport is also located a mere 30 minutes drive from Drogheda, whilst Dun Laoghaire Ferryport is an hours drive via the East Link Toll Bridge. The Port of Larne is less than 2 hours drive whilst Rosslare is a 2.5 hour drive to Drogheda.
Disability Access at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
There have been measures put in place to ensure that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann caters for everyone in the community. There will be accessible facilities ranging from toilets and changing facilities, transport and parking, safe/quiet spaces, viewing, charging stations for medical equipment available for those who may need assistance and there will also be ambassadors on the ground to attend to any needs.
There will be accesible toilet facilities at Bolton Square, St. Dominic’s Park, Father Connelly Way, Mayoralty Street, and changing facilities on Fair Street.
Accessibility Car Parks will be available in 4 locations across Drogheda Town.
Location 1: King Street – off Sunday’s Gate
Location 2: Car Park at Junction of Fair St and Georges Street
Location 3: Parking Spaces along Patrick St (Gig Rig)
Location 4: Parking Spaces in Playground Car park off Rathmullen Road (Dome)
All competition venues have designated disability parking spaces e.g Greenhills, Ballymakenny etc.
To access these spaces you will require an in-date ‘blue badge’ disability parking permit an I.D. holder must be present in vehicle. Spaces in all locations are first come first served. Please contact fleadh@safeevents.ie for any queries.
Access will also be available to Laurence’s Centre, Town Centre, Scotch Hall, Haymarket Car park which have accessible pay for parking spaces.
To find out more information about these facilities visit http://fleadhcheoil.ie/plan-your-visit/accessibility/
President Michael D Higgins will be in attendance at the official opening ceremony on Sunday 11th August.