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City hosting Munster Fleadh Cheoil

July 17th, 2017 12:23 PM

By Southern Star Team

Officers and committee of Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2017 at a meeting to prepare for the Fleadh, which will be held in Cork city centre from July 18th to 23rd. Seated – from left – are Niamh Ní Mhaoláin, PRO; Assunta Uí Chathasaigh, rúnaí Munster Council; Barry Cogan, cathaoirleach; Trish Conroy, rúna

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Following a successful bid by Douglas Comhaltas branch, Cork City will host Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan for the first time, from July 18th to 23rd.

FOLLOWING a successful bid by Douglas Comhaltas branch, Cork City will host Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan for the first time, from July 18th to 23rd. 

Traditionally held in the county towns of Munster, such as Listowel, Killarney, Nenagh and Dungarvan, this will be the Munster Fleadh Cheoil's first outing in an major urban setting. No major Comhaltas event had been held in a city until the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013, which was hosted in Derry. 

The move away from the intimacy of smaller venues took a considerable leap of faith on the part of the governing body of Comhaltas. Nevertheless, the experiment was a resounding success and the Munster Council, in choosing Cork city to hold this year's Munster Fleadh, has shown similar foresight and vision.

Fleadh cheoils have three main elements – competition, concerts and craic! At the very heart of each Fleadh is the competition element, as competitors of every age and from every corner of Munster will descend on Cork city to compete for a place in the All-Ireland Fleadh, which will be held in Ennis, Co Clare, in the third week in August, when each competitor will be hoping to become All-Ireland champion in their chosen instrument or discipline. 

At provincial level, the competition is intense, as all of the competitors will already have beaten all-comers in their class at county level. Every traditional instrument imaginable is represented, including voice, together with set dancing and sean nós dancing and storytelling.

CIT has made the Cork School of Music available to host the majority of the competitions. The other venues include Cork City Hall, College of Commerce and the Everyman, with the Gig Rig by the Library on the Grand Parade.

It is only €6 per adult (€4 per child) entry per day, allowing entry to all competition venues. More than 15,000 visitors are expected.

For further details, log on to www.munsterfleadh.ie

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