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Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was officially launched on Sunday afternoon to throngs of people who gathered in the county town to celebrate this momentus occasion.
Crowds lined the streets as the festivities began with a parade through the town centre. Ennis came alive with the sound of music, as groups found spots to set up and play awaiting the arrival of President Michael D Higgins.
Liam Mc Mahon, whose father is from Carron with his Irish Guitar based on a hurley as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
John Donoghue of the Wexford re-enactment group gets ready for the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Sylvia Risek and Anna Scanlan getting ready for the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Two-year-old Clodagh Purcell of the CBS Limerick Pipe band at the opening of Fleadh Ceoil 2016 in Ennis Today. Photograph by John Kelly.
All dressed up for the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Ennis Brass band joined with the Boherbuoy Band and the Artane Boys Band to play the Late Late Show theme on the programme’s return from its summer break last Friday. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Wexford re-enactment group in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Ennis Tidy Towns members in period costume in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Louise Horan taking part in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Members of the Tulla Pipe band march past the new Ennis market building during the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Best foot forward in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
A nun watches the parade go by as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Grainne Kearney of the Ennis Brass band playing in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis in 2016. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Tulla pipe band arrive in Abbey St Car park during the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Local businessman Oliver Moylan in the parade with his vintage bike as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Local businessman Oliver Moylan in the parade with his vintage bike as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Members of the Polish Irish community step it out in the parade at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Michael Stamorski of Poland and his daughter Anna taking part in the parade as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Two-year-old Clodagh Purcell leading the CBS Limerick Pipe band at the opening of Fleadh Ceoil 2016 in Ennis Today. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins arrive with Micheal O Riabhaigh, Chairman Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann for the official opening of Fle. Photograph by John Kelly.
Some of the crowd in attendance at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins, Mrs. Sabina Higgins and Micheal O Riabhaigh, Chairman Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann look on as Bobby Gardiner plays a piece as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Edel Vaughan sings as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins speaks at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Councillor Mary Howard with President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins greet members of the public as they depart following the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins greet members of the public as they depart following the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins waves to the crowd as he and Mrs. Sabina Higgins depart with Micheal O Riabhaigh, Chairman Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann following the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Burke sisters take a selfie at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and and Clare GAA chairman Joe Cooney arriving for a major event at Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Two-year-old Clodagh Purcell leading the CBS Limerick Pipe band at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
A general view at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
James Raleigh with Emma Hynes, Zoe Keane, Amy Keane and Erica Long waiting to perform at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá in Cusack park as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Guns are exchanged in mid air at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Mick Rynne looks on at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá in Cusack Park as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
A huge proclamation is unveiled by volunteers at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
An emotional Mrs. Sabina Higgins looks on with President Michael D Higgins at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Actors prepare to take to the stage at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Dancers warm up before taking to the stage at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Dancers perform on stage at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Dancers perform on stage at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Members of the audience sing along at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins show their appreciation for the performers following Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins with little Clodagh Purcell at Seachtar Fear: Seacht Lá, in Cusack Park, as part of the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.
Special tribute was paid to the late Clare singer, Robbie McMahon whose song, The Fleadh Down in Ennis, has been rolled out once again in celebration of the talent that has descended on Ennis for the 2016 All Ireland Fleadh.
Addressing the masses in Abbey Street Car Park, and those onlooking from balconies and windows overhead President Higgins, paid tribute to Robbie and this iconic song quoting, “They came from the North and they came from the East from the West and the South ‘twas a thriller to see”.
Robbie was also mentioned in the opening address by Comhaltas Director General Labhrás Ó Murchú as was Brian Prior. He said they would be two people who will be sadly missed at this year’s Fleadh.
President Higgins said it was particularly special that this year’s Fleadh would be held in County Clare, which is so renowned for its wonderful living musical heritage. He listed off a number of musicians who had helped cultivate this tradition, among them Mrs Crotty and Willie Clancy, as well as those Clare musicians who have continued to spread the tradition at home and abroad including Martin Hayes, Sharon Shannon and Noel Hill, to name a few.
In opening the Fleadh, President Higgins welcomed the very many people who have travelled from across the country and from across the world to enjoy the music and culture of our island.
With over 6,000 competitors participating in 180 competitions and 28 concerts scheduled over the course of the next nine days it promises to be one to remember.
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A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.
