I certainly wouldn't bet against Tullamore in 2009 based on the clues that came across the live webcast of the Senior Ceili Band Competition from certain Comhaltas officials who took the mike either in the Church venue or the Gig Rig after the Inisfree Ceili Band, the Senior All-Ireland Champions, played the Sunday night finale.
The actual vote will be in Mid-September when the CCE Executive Council meets in Dublin but it looks like Tullamore once again proved to be a perfect and well organized town for the Fleadh. And with at least two appearances from Taoiseacht Brian Cowen at the beginning and end of the week , the Offaly location is a big plus. I don't think anything stands in the way of a third year if there is much more to be gained from hosting it there another year.
Not sure what other towns are readying proposals though.
According to the Manager of a Hotel I was speaking with, it looks like Tullamore again next year. It's a great town for it, but somehow I think that I will miss the excitement of exploring new places. So what about this years fleadh??
Negative points for me this year was the rain on Saturday.
The usual distractions like football on the telly most of Sunday and of course the Olympics on large screens all weekend and the overbearing amplification from the Main Gig Rig. Much louder than last year and painful on the ears for some who liked to watch the performances. I heard a lot of people speak of this so it wasn't just me. That much volume is totally unnecessary and is inclined to drown out any nearby street sessions.
The positive ones for me were:-
The good weather on Sundays, nice to sit out and watch the world go by and wander around listening to the street sessions. Meeting old friends and making new ones.
I left for home satisfied and looking forward to next year (where ever it is)
One last thing, I think it is so wonderful how, year after year the powers that be manage to keep this great event a secret to be shared only among one hundred thousand plus odd people. Young and old who turn up year after year without a mention or maybe a few lines in a newspaper or a couple of minutes on the TV news. Yet everybody I speak with not involved with ITM has heard of the World Feadh/The Rose of Tralee/The Plouging Championship etc etc. Even from some trad musicians that I know locally. Oh! the Fleadh.... When is that on then, and where is it this year? I love telling them...It's over and I really enjoyed it.
I have just got back home to the rock. I am shattered. Negative on the waiting for a taxi for an hour and a half, then some chavs came to the mini bus we had finally managed to get on and nicked spaces off people that had been waiting for ages.
It was my first fleadh and an interesting experience. Sadly, I bombed completely when I got on stage for the solo - I let my nerves get the better of me and I'm rather annoyed about that because I know I can play better. In two minds as to whether to try again. The ceili band competition was an interesting experience though, but I think I can safely say I am never wearing that infernal top again. I'd also like to say that the haphazard way in which we came onto the stage was not of our doing! The band before us took a long time practising and then the steward didn't come to get us in time. I have to say the Glasgow band were absolutely lovely to us and gave us lots of advice about things after they had played, so cheers to them. Some of the lads in the band met the Taoiseacht afterwards in the pub and had their photo taken with him.
What I did find nice was that in every pub we went into, we were made to feel welcome, whether it was playing or just drinking (of which there was much). We'd only played one set in one pub and a guy came round with some sandwiches. We'd have liked to have got a few more tunes with visiting musicians but that can't be helped now.
Hope its Tullamore again its so accessable from all over the country. The GAA lads who run the scoil eigse campsite have to be the most efficient ever and friendly and helpful as well.
It's 99% certain to be Tullamore again and also the earlier weekend of 21 to 23 August rather than the last one. I've been told that this will be announced at the Tionól Leo Rowsome in Monkstown on Saturday, 13 September so keep watching the Comhaltas space! I also agree with Dilis about accessibility of the town and friendliness of locals. As for the street sessions and attitude to musicians by pub owners, it reminds me a lot of Listowel which was my favourite venue.
ive been to to fleadh last few years, an totally enjoyed every hour of it, but ive been tryin to get accomodation for this years fleadh in tullamore an i cant seem to have any luck, is there anyone out there who can help,,,,,,,
Fleadh '09
Fleadh '09
Anyone have any idea where next years fleadh might be?
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by jmurf100
Re: Fleadh '09
Tullamore 2009
Book your accommodation now
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by ceolistic
Re: Fleadh '09
I certainly wouldn't bet against Tullamore in 2009 based on the clues that came across the live webcast of the Senior Ceili Band Competition from certain Comhaltas officials who took the mike either in the Church venue or the Gig Rig after the Inisfree Ceili Band, the Senior All-Ireland Champions, played the Sunday night finale.
The actual vote will be in Mid-September when the CCE Executive Council meets in Dublin but it looks like Tullamore once again proved to be a perfect and well organized town for the Fleadh. And with at least two appearances from Taoiseacht Brian Cowen at the beginning and end of the week , the Offaly location is a big plus. I don't think anything stands in the way of a third year if there is much more to be gained from hosting it there another year.
Not sure what other towns are readying proposals though.
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by clareman
Re: Fleadh '09
According to the Manager of a Hotel I was speaking with, it looks like Tullamore again next year. It's a great town for it, but somehow I think that I will miss the excitement of exploring new places. So what about this years fleadh??
Negative points for me this year was the rain on Saturday.
The usual distractions like football on the telly most of Sunday and of course the Olympics on large screens all weekend and the overbearing amplification from the Main Gig Rig. Much louder than last year and painful on the ears for some who liked to watch the performances. I heard a lot of people speak of this so it wasn't just me. That much volume is totally unnecessary and is inclined to drown out any nearby street sessions.
The positive ones for me were:-
The good weather on Sundays, nice to sit out and watch the world go by and wander around listening to the street sessions. Meeting old friends and making new ones.
I left for home satisfied and looking forward to next year (where ever it is)
One last thing, I think it is so wonderful how, year after year the powers that be manage to keep this great event a secret to be shared only among one hundred thousand plus odd people. Young and old who turn up year after year without a mention or maybe a few lines in a newspaper or a couple of minutes on the TV news. Yet everybody I speak with not involved with ITM has heard of the World Feadh/The Rose of Tralee/The Plouging Championship etc etc. Even from some trad musicians that I know locally. Oh! the Fleadh.... When is that on then, and where is it this year? I love telling them...It's over and I really enjoyed it.
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Fleadh '09
I have just got back home to the rock. I am shattered. Negative on the waiting for a taxi for an hour and a half, then some chavs came to the mini bus we had finally managed to get on and nicked spaces off people that had been waiting for ages.
It was my first fleadh and an interesting experience. Sadly, I bombed completely when I got on stage for the solo - I let my nerves get the better of me and I'm rather annoyed about that because I know I can play better. In two minds as to whether to try again. The ceili band competition was an interesting experience though, but I think I can safely say I am never wearing that infernal top again. I'd also like to say that the haphazard way in which we came onto the stage was not of our doing! The band before us took a long time practising and then the steward didn't come to get us in time. I have to say the Glasgow band were absolutely lovely to us and gave us lots of advice about things after they had played, so cheers to them. Some of the lads in the band met the Taoiseacht afterwards in the pub and had their photo taken with him.
What I did find nice was that in every pub we went into, we were made to feel welcome, whether it was playing or just drinking (of which there was much). We'd only played one set in one pub and a guy came round with some sandwiches. We'd have liked to have got a few more tunes with visiting musicians but that can't be helped now.
Will I go back? Who knows? ;)
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by ManxFiddle
Re: Fleadh '09
It will probably be Tullamore
I Thought Listowel was a good venue.
# Posted on August 25th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Fleadh '09
Hope its Tullamore again its so accessable from all over the country. The GAA lads who run the scoil eigse campsite have to be the most efficient ever and friendly and helpful as well.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by dílis
Re: Fleadh '09
It's 99% certain to be Tullamore again and also the earlier weekend of 21 to 23 August rather than the last one. I've been told that this will be announced at the Tionól Leo Rowsome in Monkstown on Saturday, 13 September so keep watching the Comhaltas space! I also agree with Dilis about accessibility of the town and friendliness of locals. As for the street sessions and attitude to musicians by pub owners, it reminds me a lot of Listowel which was my favourite venue.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: Fleadh '09
ive been to to fleadh last few years, an totally enjoyed every hour of it, but ive been tryin to get accomodation for this years fleadh in tullamore an i cant seem to have any luck, is there anyone out there who can help,,,,,,,
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by kk cats