Gigs galore at Fleadh Nua

WITH the Fleadh Nua in full swing  in Ennis since its launch on Sunday, music lovers will have plenty to look forward to right through the week. But it’s not just traditional music that is to the fore at the Fleadh, with the annual event equally as synonymous with dancing and singing.

The National Set Dancing Championships are set to be a major highlight of this year’s Fleadh. The championships take place on Saturday in Cois na hAbhna, where groups battle it out for honours in sets and half sets and four and eight-hand céilí dances. Entry forms are available at www.fleadhnua.com. For those not taking part in the competition, there is still plenty to dance to with céilithe and set dancing workshops taking place throughout Fleadh Nua.

The sean nós dancing competition will take place on Saturday in the Auburn Lodge Hotel. Further details and application forms are on the website.

In keeping with longstanding tradition, the Tulla Céilí Band gets proceedings underway in Cois na hAbhna on Thursday. It is back to the Gort Road venue for fans of Johnny Reidy and his Band as they take to the stage on Friday. Cois na hAbhna will play host on Saturday for the Abbey Céilí Band.

There will be an open air céilí with Dave Culligan and his Band at the Abbey Street Car Park on Sunday afternoon and dancing in Cois na hAbhna that evening with the Star of Munster Céilí Band. Michael Sexton will perform on Monday at a venue to be confirmed and the Four Courts Céilí Band will perform at Cois na hAbhna that evening.

This year’s event also features three all-time great singers, Paddy Berry, Seamus MacMathuna and Ann Mulqueen.