This article is from page 8 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
ENNIS’ bid to become host town for the 2013 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has received a huge boost with the news that the Ulster Council of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has come out in opposition to bringing the flagship festival of Irish traditional music to the north for the first time in its 60year history.
The Ulster ruling body delivered its verdict on Sunday night, six days ahead of the crucial vote at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann headquarters in Dublin where Ennis, Sligo and Derry are the three town competing to host the 2013 festival.
By way of a secret ballot vote, the 31-member ruling body of Comhaltas will decide between the three centres on where the festival – worth € 30m to the host town’s economy – will be staged.
Up until Sunday, Derry were considered favourites to win the threeway race, principally on the back of the political weight that was thrown behind their 2013 Fleadh bid by Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness.
“Derry has all the key ingredients they need to host an amazing Fleadh in 2013,” said Mr McGuinness. “If successful this bid would make history, giving our young people the opportunity of a lifetime to experience this rich cultural event,” he added.
In December, senior members of the Comhaltas, including Chairperson Labhrás Ó Murchú, met to discuss Derry’s bid after their recent trip to meet with civic leaders in the city, which has been designated as British City of Culture in 2013.
However, the Derry bid could now be in ruins following the decision by the Ulster Council. “We understand that it was based on the perceived threat from dissident republicans to families and visitors celebrating Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry,” a spokesperson for Comhaltas Dhoire said.
“We believe this decision is a mistake and plays into the hands of those who want to hold back any efforts to bring opportunity to our city and region. Derry’s bid for the Fleadh has been acknowledged as being one of the best packages ever presented to Comhaltas and yet we have been denied our right to celebrate our Irish culture.
“We will be appealing the decision to ensure the voices of everyone who sees the value in celebrating Irish culture and those who support our bid is heard,” the spokesperson added.
Last year, The Clare People revealed that there were elements of Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann in the north who didn’t what the festival in Derry, principally because it’s the British City of Culture designation in 2013 The Ennis bid to host the 2013 Fleadh was made earlier this month when the local committee that draws together the local branch of Clare Comhaltas, Clare County Council, Clare GAA, Ennis Town Council and Shannon Development re-activated the 2012 submission to host the Fleadh.
The Clare submission identified 25 venues in Ennis that would facilitate the event that would cater for up to 200,000 music lovers from across the world, with the Clare County Council headquarters on New Road designated as the hub of operations.
Ennis previously hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 1956 and 1977.