This article is from page 31 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 31 JPG
PLANS for the first county fleadh to be hosted by Tulla comhaltas in 50 years will be announced at a lively event in the village tonight.
With more than 80 competitions to get involved in, with categories cater- ing for musicians and dancers from under nine years to seniors, there should be no lack of talented visitors to the area next month.
It’s expected that the number of competitors will at least match the 1,200 who took part in last year’s fleadh.
A sparkling night’s entertainment is planned for the launch in the court- house with music from Andrew Mac-
Namara, Seamus Buglar, Mark Don- nellan, Paddy O’Donoghue, Vincent Griffin, Pat Mullins, Joan Culloo, John Lyons and Risteard Crimmins.
Among the young musicians will be Tulla Under 15 Ceili Band. Singing will be provided by Robbie McMa- hon and Sean McMahon.
Corum UNM Nao oa Lo nU DO Tom elements (OO MUD move to John Minogue’s where there will be entertainment and refresh- ments. The good news is that every- one 1s invited to the launch. This year the fleadh is a five day event, starting on Wednesday night, June 18.
Organisers were keeping their pow- der dry for tonight’s launch but gave a sneak preview, promising the cream of musical talent for the gala concert
on Thursday, including a top musi- cian from the UK.
Wednesday will see the launch of a special archive cd, celebrating 50 years of traditional music in east Clare, while set-dancing competi- tions will be held on Friday night. There will be music categories for every instrument on Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday night, the traditional pea teea SMA O UM OLoMCLE-IB CO) e(ere NOM OOD EE TeXe for performances from the Tulla and Kilfenora Céili Bands.
The committee have been working on preparations for months under the chairmanship of Tom Conheady.
There could not be a fleadh without the competitions. But unlike previ-
ous years, no entries will be accepted during the fleadh. Anyone interested in participating should note that this year entries will not be accepted un- der any circumstances after the clos- ing date of Monday, May 26.
Members of comhaltas should en- ter via their branch secretary and non members can send their entries directly to the county secretary of comhaltas at Cois Na hAbhana, Gort Road, Ennis.
Further details on the fleadh rules are available on the comhaltas web site or on wWww.tullatradfestival.com where the full fleadh programme is listed. Also listed is the full pro- eramme of events for the Tulla Trad1- tional Festival in September.