Offaly Fleadh returns to local town next weekend after break of over 60 years

BIRR Comhaltas welcomes the Fleadh back to Birr after a break of over sixty years! The competitions will be held in St Brendan's Community School and the music sessions will be held at the Courtyard in Birr Castle and Dooly's Hotel, senior sessions and singing sessions in the bars throughout the town.

The Fleadh Mass will be held in St Brendan's Catholic Church on Saturday evening at 7.30pm. So if you play an instrument, dance or sing a song or even tap your foot please make your way to the Offaly Fleadh in Birr next weekend!

Birr Comhaltas branch was formed in the early 1950’s and was one of the earliest branches to be formed. Its founder members were Matt Spain, Frank Watson, Paddy Duffy, Tommy Pey, Jack Grogan and Johnny Rowe. Johnny Rowe ran music classes in the Marian Hall where Pat Barton and John Bowe amongst others obtained these talents for fine Accordion music.

Birr hosted the Leinster Fleadh in the early 1960’s. Local man Finbar Spain recalls the huge crowds in the town that weekend as he attended the prize winners' concert in the new cinema at that time. Master pipers Liam Og O’Flynn and Finbar Furey competed at that Fleadh and were teenagers at the time.

Birr Comhaltas was later joined by Jim Kinsella, Anthony Lawton, Mary Darcy and Jack Quirke who all served as chairpersons over many years. Birr Comhaltas also had a rich tradition of dancing. Every night at the monthly sessions many dancers would belt out some lively sets. These were all done under the stewardship of Eamonn Sheppard, Michael Ryan and Donal Morrissey. Donal went on to run fantastic Set Dancing weekends in the Marian Hall. These were very successful and he brought the best Ceili dance bands at the time to perform.

Birr Comhaltas has enjoyed many successful days competition wise with many All Ireland winners, John Bowe (Box), Padraig Kinsella (Box), David Kinsella (Pipes), James Kinsella (Box), Eddie Whelan (Mandolin and Banjo) and of course our wonderful dancing troops with Sarah Cooke and her team.

To this day Birr Comhaltas is working hard to promote music, song and stories at the fantastic sessions every second Friday of the month, led by Mr Richard Kennedy. The Slieve Blooms sessions are still going strong on the last Wednesday of every month at the Slieve Bloom Bar in Kinnitty. And of course Kelly's Bar in Birr run a great session every Thursday night. Remember these are all free to attend and all visiting musicians are always welcome to join in those sessions.

Birr CCE and their Fleadh Committee have been working hard organising an action packed weekend of activities during the Fleadh Cheoil Uibh Fhaili. On Thursday the official launch will take place at Kelly's Bar. For those who just love a good song or story, there is a session in Kennedy's Market House Tavern at 8pm. Their musicians will be in Havertys for a lively music session from 10pm.

On Saturday competitions will throughout the day, followed by the Junior Session at the Courtyard at Birr Castle at 4pm. On Saturday evening they have their Fleadh Mass in St Brendan's Church at 7.30pm. To finish off Saturday there will be a session at Nolans Bar, Connaught St and all are welcome.

Sunday will follow a similar format with competitions in St Brendan's Community School from 11 am until 5pm. They will have a junior session in Dooly's Hotel at 4pm. All are welcome to attend. The grand finale session of Fleadh Cheoil Uibh Fhaili will be held at Craughwells Bar. This will be the official end of the Fleadh activities.

Birr CCE and the Fleadh Committee would like to extend a warm welcome to all their visitors over the weekend and they wish all the competitors the very best of luck in the competitions. They sincerely hope you will all enjoy the weekend.