Tag Archives: Fleadh Cheoil

Gardaí have confirmed they are in contact with Interpol to assess the possibility of any terror threat in the lead-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann next month. Superintendent Brendan McDonagh has told The Clare Champion that the assessment of a threat is intelligence-led and that Clare gardaí are in regular contact with Interpol and colleagues in Britain, France and other EU countries. He said there will be a strong visible presence of gardaí on the streets of Ennis during the Fleadh and, in addition to calling in all available resources in the division, he said extra assistance can be used from other counties, if necessary. Adrian Jackson of Safety Solutions said discussions on how to deal with a terror attack have been held with local gardaí. While he wasn’t at liberty to outline what these arrangements are for security reasons, as event controller he said he would be guided by the advice of the gardaí. “We bow to the greater …

Tourism Ireland has unveiled a new film about the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which was hosted in Ennis in 2016 and returns there in 2017. The film shows some of the highlights of the Fleadh Cheoil in 2016, including Irish dancers and traditional pub sessions in Ennis. The film captures the atmosphere of this great music festival – encouraging potential visitors around the world to come and find out more about Ireland’s incredible culture and sample the Fleadh Cheoil for themselves. The film is being promoted through Tourism Ireland’s social platforms, including Facebook (3.8 million fans worldwide), Twitter (379,000 followers) and YouTube.

Madge O’Callaghan, who spent many years living in Shannon, was a gold winner at the New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Programs 2016. Madge is not a career broadcaster but her documentary My Uncle Jack, originally made just to record her family history, was picked up by RTÉ and has now been recognised globally. “These awards are given out to world-class radio programmes, documentaries and dramas in various different categories. It was in New York on June 20. I went over on the Monday and came back on the Wednesday, it was a quick trip. My brother Sean, who lives in Newmarket-on-Fergus, came with me and my daughter, Niamh, who lives in Sixmilebridge came with me as well,” she said this week. The subject of the documentary is her uncle, Jack Dowling, who is now 87 and based in Sheffield. Jack set a record for walking from Malin to Mizen Head and the documentary is about that feat, as well …

THE economic spin-off for Ennis, as the host town for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016, could be worth up to €60 million. The figure has been arrived at based on independent assessments conducted after recent Fleadh events. Hundreds of Clare businesses are already tuning up to receive a windfall ranging from €40m to €60m, when Ennis stages the Fleadh in August 2016, according to the findings of economic evaluations compiled by Fáilte Ireland and independent consultants. While Ennis will be the main economic beneficiary, most towns and villages around the county will also benefit from Fleadh dividends, as Irish musical events are held in traditional strongholds, such as Tulla, Kilfenora, Feakle, Corofin, Ennistymon, Doolin, Miltown Malbay and Kilrush, as well as Shannon and Sixmilebridge. Ennis hosted the festival in 1956 and 1977 and hopes are high that it will secure it for a second successive year, following another presentation to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Ard Comhairle in March 2016, when a decision …