PICTURES: Tipp’s County Fleadh launched in Roscrea

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On Friday last there was a happy gathering in the former Courthouse in Roscrea Photos: PJ Wright 

On Friday last many people gathered in the former Courthouse in Roscrea for the launch of the Tipperary County Fleadh Cheoil which is scheduled to take place from May 10th to 17th.

The local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann in Roscrea is working hard to make this year’s Tipperary Fleadh a success and the opening of the ceremony involved a short musical presentation by branch members Tadhg Maher, Mick Ryan, Michael McEvoy, Lucy McCarthy, Pat Flanagan who were joined by Munster Comhaltas Secretary Sean Walshe, a native of Skibbereen.

MC for the evening Pat Flanagan introduced chairperson of the Fleadh committee, Carol Thompson, who welcomed and thanked those in attendance.

In her address she said that the branch was proud to undertake the hosting of this fleadh and acknowledged the support from members of the Tipperary County Board, who are always ready to provide guidance and advice when requested.

She thanked the local business community, Heritage Roscrea and the Roscrea Credit Union for the great sponsorship provided to the committee and expressed appreciation to the local schools for making their premises available to the committee and mentioned especially Coláiste Phobal, where the competitions will take place.

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Barbara Farrell, Cathaoirleach of the Tipperary Co Board of Comhaltas, said it was a pleasure to be back in Roscrea and recalled some previous great fleadhanna here.

She complimented the local branch and pointed out that a lot of excellent work had already been done and reminded the audience that this year’s fleadh will have over 500 competitors.

Kathryn Browne, member of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas, outlined the programme of events, which runs for a period of 8 days starting with a mass in Irish, composed by local branch member Colm Brussels (Montevideo Road). During mass on Sun 17 May, the final day of the fleadh, the local church choir will be joined by the Theresa Larkin School of Music and friends. Competitions will take place in Coláiste Phobal during 16–17 May.

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The First fleadh in Roscrea was held in 1964 and on that occasion, the Courthouse was used as one of the competition venues. Other fleadhanna were held in Roscrea in 1973, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2012.

Formal proceedings of the evening ended with a song from Tadhg Maher titled ‘My hometown of Roscrea’ composed by local man Seamus Doran. Informal chat and light finger-food provided by the catering committee, headed by Marion Flanagan and Anne Feehan, brought a very pleasant evening to a close and the energy to be felt in the room is a good omen for a great fleadh.