Korean influence at Fleadh Nua

MEMORIES of a Fleadh Nua past were revived for one local man when he was recently flicking through old photos.

Among Frank Conway’s souvenirs were photos of a group of North Korean musicians and performers on a float in the 1991 Fleadh parade in the town.
Frank, who was working in Shannon Airport at the time, recalled that the group was in the region on a cultural trip and when Aer Rianta heard that they would be here during the Fleadh Nua, they felt it would be a good idea for them to take part in the parade and experience the best of Clare culture and traditional music first hand.
“No more than today, it was unusual for North Koreans to participate in external events. They wore their national costume and played music and danced on the Aer Rianta float through Ennis town for the parade.
“It was quite unique and I don’t believe any similar group, certainly none from North Korea, have been involved in the Fleadh in Ennis ever since,” Mr Conway commented.
He said the North Korean visitors were intrigued by the event and seemed to have a wonderful time. The Korean entertainers had a number of other engagements in Ireland on that occasion.
Over the years, groups from various countries have visited Ennis during the Fleadh Nua, on cultural visits. To a large extent, visits by North Koreans have been for business visits and the visit by this group in 1991 to join in the Fleadh seems to have been a unique event.