Musicians came from many nations to 2009 Fleadh
MUSICIANS taking part in the Fleadh Cheoil in Tullamore came from many countries. In addition to Ireland and the UK, there were large groups from the USA and Canada, with smaller numbers from France, Argentina, Russia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Helen Gannon of Comhaltas' North America Council acted as MC at Saturday night's concert in the Court Hotel.
Among the overseas visitors was Yury Andreychuk, who developed an interest in Irish music after studying it in college in Moscow. He was intrigued to discover the Irish roots of bluegrass music.
He delighted the audience by singing in Irish, and was joined on the fiddle by Kiril Raskolenko and by an Irish journalist who is based in Moscow, Diarmuid Fleming.
Gwen Flejeu, from Paris, enthralled the audience with her rendition of "Raglan Road", but arguably the highlight of the night was the performance of two Japanese musicians, Kozo Toyota and Mareka Naito, from Tokyo, who showed tremendous skill and imagination.
They paid tribute to the people of Offaly for their hospitality and said they developed an interest in Irish music from college.
Dancers from the USA, and singers from England and Australia, also took part in the night. Earlier, the Offaly Express met Eli Babei, a native of Moldova living in Dublin, who is one of the growing number of immigrants who have joined Comhaltas.
See Also
Fleadh will return to Tullamore
Musicians came from many nations to 2009 Fleadh
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann a stunning succes again
Rose of Tralee contestants visit Tullamore for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann
'Session to beat recession' a world record breaking success the the Fleadh
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Weather for Tullamore
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
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