All set for Fleadh Cheoil Thiobraid Árann

The 2016 Fleadh Cheoil Thiobraid Árann is building up to the weekend of competition.

Thursday May 5th Oíche Stair- will take place at the Thomás Mac Donagh Heritage Centre at 8pm.

Friday May 6th is the official opening of the fleadh with a concert in St. Kieran's Hall at 8:30pm. The concert sets the tone for the weekend. The concert will feature Tulach Sheasta Pléaracha Group, runners up in this year's all-Ireland pléaracha competition at the In Tune for Life Orchestra which enthralled the audience at last weekend's Commemorative concert.

The presentation of the art competition prizes will also take place at this event.

The Fleadh competitions will begin on Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Full day solo and group competitions: duets, trios, amhrán comhrá, groupí cheoil and céilí bands. these competitions will be held in St. Michael's School, the Old 'MacDonagh' School, the Heritage Centre and St. Kieran's Hall. There will be over 140 competitions in 46 disciplines with upwards of eight competitions running at any one time. A lot of anxious competitors and parents will be busy over the two days. Sunday will also see the dancing competitions: Céilí, Set Dancing, and Sean Nós in the MacDonagh GAA complex.

In addition to the competitions there will be an activity programme on Saturday and Sunday based from Seomra na Gaeilge and Oifig na nÓg in the Thomas MacDonagh Heritage Centre. On Saturday and Sunday there will be street entertainment with registration through Oifig na N-Óg. There will be activities such as lunchtime junior musician session and an afternoon (4-5pm) of street trad music competition on Saturday along with Eco-village tours, a wood-fired bakery demonstration and a morning market.

Sunday will agin feature Seomra Gaeilge agus Oifig na n-Óg in the Thomás Mac Donagh Heritage Centre, Aifrean na Fleadh 11am: St. Michael's & John's Church. The afternoon will have a relaxed family atmosphere woth some family fun activities such as Gig Rig (again register with Oifig na n-Óg), Traditional games, face-painting, a barbeque and Eco-village tours.

The Thomás Mac Donagh Heritage Centre will also be open to the public on both days. While the weather may threaten to be wet, it will not dampen the entusiasm of everyone taking part. Indeed it may liven up the after competition sessions as the musicians and dancers relive and replay their competition exertions in convivial surroundings.

Fleadh Cheoil Itinerary:

Cloughjordan: Fleadh Cheoil  Co Thiobraid Árann 2016.

-Friday: Official opening concert featuring Tulach Sheasta Pléaracha group and the In Tune For Life  Orchestra.

-Saturday: Fleadh competitors from 10am. Street entertainment and gig rig.

-Sunday: Fleadh competitors from 10am.

Dancing compeitions in the GAA centre.

Family theme with entertainment and fun activities centered on gig rig from 2.30pm.

Registration for gig rig with Oifig na nÓg.