CCÉ drops fleadh bid to focus on 2014

THE surprise decision of the Abbey branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to withdraw Ennis’ bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2013 could pave the way for the county town to host the prestigious competition in 2014.
According to Micheál Ó Riabhaigh, chairman of the local Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann working group, the organisation are now targeting 2014, the 1000th year celebration of Brian Boru, as Ennis’ time to host the fleadh.
He believes Clare’s role in stepping back from the bid for 2013, which was awarded to Derry at the weekend, will be looked on favourably.
“I think the work for 2014 will start next week but fortunately the intensive work is already behind us and we have built up good relationships. I’m sure and very hopeful that our gesture will definitely be appreciated,” he commented.
“It would have been by no means certain that Derry would have got it if we had not stood down. We felt it would have been a huge opportunity lost for really enhancing the reputation of the organisation,” he added.
Ennis was joined by Sligo and Derry in competing for the rights to host Fleadh 2013, with a decision due last Saturday. However, following a meeting of the Abbey branch, the decision was made to withdraw the application. Mr Ó Riabhaigh said that the decision was made after regarding what would be best for Comhaltas.
“The Derry application wasn’t on the table formally until Thursday of last week. We had an executive meeting of our branch officers on Thursday evening and we were considering our own application and the importance of the application from Derry.
“We believed it would be a unique and historic occasion and that it would be good for Comhaltas if the fleadh were to go to Derry.
“We gave it a lot of thought and it really came down to what we would have regarded as being very good for the organisation. This would be the first year that the fleadh would be north of the border and we felt this was an opportunity for something positive for everybody, for Comhaltas and for music in general.”
“The branch were well aware that the support for the fleadh going to Derry was, uniquely for the north I suppose, completely cross community and cross party and that the first minister and deputy first minister were both promoting it very strongly. This was a huge opportunity for Comhaltas in terms of good will and to be seen to be doing something very historic.”
The Ennis bid, if successful, would have brought an economic boom to the town with estimations that it would have been worth €30 million.
Mr Ó Riabhaigh acknowledged that some people would have been disappointed by the decision to withdraw the application.
“I can appreciate people’s disappointment. But there was no guarantee that we were going to win, Derry was always going to be a strong force when it came down to it. Also, the work that we have done, and a huge amount of work has been done, all of that is essentially parked and won’t have to be repeated for another bid.
“Certainly, we will be targeting 2014 as the big event for us and that will tie into the 1,000 year celebrations of Brian Boru. We would see that as a critical one.
“The fact that the work is now done, when it comes to next year, we will have to do very little other than brush up on our documentation and bring it a little bit up to date. But everything else, the structures, the people who have promised to support us, they are all still in place. I have spoken to a lot of them in Comhaltas, in the business and hospitality sector and all of them are quite supportive and understand fully the reasons for our decision.”
Mr Ó Riabhaigh believes Derry will “put on a tremendous fleadh” and he plans to attend the event. He also expects many others from south of the border to travel to the event and lend their support.
Meanwhile, Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan, on behalf of Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council, described the decision of the branch as “very disappointing”. He also pledged the local authorities’ continuing commitment to bringing the fleadh to Ennis.
“Clare local authorities note the decision of the Abbey branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann not to proceed with its application to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 in Ennis, County Clare. While this outcome is very disappointing we acknowledge that such a decision is entirely a matter for the Clare Comhaltas organisation,” he stated.
“Clare local authorities wish the city of Derry every success with the hosting of the 2013 fleadh. Clare local authorities remain fully committed to working with all local interests and agencies to bring the fleadh to Ennis at the earliest possible date.”
He added, “Ennis always has and continues to host a range of culture and arts festivals that are of national and international renown and Clare local authorities believe it would undoubtedly be a wonderful host town for such a major festival such as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
“Clare local authorities recognise the contribution of traditional Irish music artists and groups throughout Clare over the years to preserving and promoting a unique part of Irish culture and heritage,” Mr Coughlan concluded.