Derry to host 2013 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Derry, location of the 2013 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Derry has beaten off the challenges of Sligo and Ennis to win the race to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2013.
The Fleadh, which is Ireland’s biggest gathering of traditional Irish music performers and competitors, is an enormously popular music festival for musicians and festival-goers alike.
This is the first time in the Fleadh’s 60 year history that it will take place north of the Border, and coincides with Derry being awarded the ‘UK City of Culture’ title for 2013.
It had been feared last week that Derry’s chances of hosting the event had been scuppered, when the Ulster Council of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann decided not to put the city’s name forward to host the festival. This decision came in the face of a rise in dissident republican activity in the city recently. The Fleadh being held during a year-long cultural event that has ‘UK’ in its title also prompted opposition from some Ulster Comhaltas members.
The decision not to back the Fleadh bid was reversed later in the week, however, and Derry was awarded the 2013 Fleadh at a convention of the central executive of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Dublin on Saturday morning last.
Derry winning the bid to host the fleadh was another underpinning of the peace process, according to Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, head of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
First Minister Peter Robinson and East Derry DUP MP Gregory Campbell were among a wide group of nationalist and unionist politicians who welcomed Saturday’s decision.
Stormont Junior Minister Martina Anderson said the festival could bring 300,000 visitors to the city, and generate 40 million Euro.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has also been very popular with LiveTrad audiences. The online launch of the 2011 Fleadh in Cavan on LiveTrad.com drew in excess of 40,000 online viewers, and it is hoped that LiveTrad will stream live from the the festival again this year, when the Fleadh returns to Cavan for the third year in a row.
Here’s a clip from the live webcast which took place on LiveTrad.com in August 2011, featuring some of the best local musicians, led by Martin Donohoe, Musical Director of the Cavan Fleadh.