Roscrea to host Tipperary Fleadh Cheoil

Event takes place from May 10-17

Last Friday, many people gathered in the Courthouse in Roscrea for the launch of the Tipperary County Fleadh Cheoil which is scheduled to take place during May 10-17. The local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann in Roscrea is working hard to make this year’s fleadh a success.

The opening of the ceremony involved a short musical presentation by branch members Tadhg Maher, Mick Ryan, Michael McEvoy, Lucy McCarthy, Pat Flanagan who were joined by Munster Comhaltas Secretary Sean Walshe, a native of Skibbereen.

MC for the evening Pat Flanagan introduced chairperson of the fleadh committee, Carol Thompson, who welcomed and thanked those in attendance. In her address she said that the branch was proud to undertake the hosting of this fleadh. She acknowledged the support from members of the Tipperary Co Board who are always ready to provide guidance and advice when requested. She thanked the local business community, Heritage Roscrea and the Roscrea Credit Union for the great sponsorship provided to the committee. She expressed appreciation to the local schools for making their premises available to the committee and mentioned especially Coláiste Phobal, where the competitions will take place. She thanked Age Friendly Roscrea for making the courthouse available for the evening’s ceremony. Finally, she thanked her committee, who continue to develop the plans for the event and invited the community to come out and enjoy the fleadh.

Barbara Farrell, Cathaoirleach of the Tipperary Co Board of Comhaltas, said it was a pleasure to be back in Roscrea and recalled some previous great fleadhanna there. She complimented the local branch and pointed out that a lot of excellent work had already been done. She reminded the audience that this year’s fleadh will have over 500 competitors, each of whom will be accompanied by family members and friends, thereby bringing a sizeable influx of people to the town. She invited people to volunteer to help with the competitions during the weekend of May 16 and 17.

The third and final speaker to be introduced was Kathryn Browne, member of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas, where she holds the position of oifigeach ceoil (music officer). She outlined the programme of events for the week of the fleadh and said that they would be publicised widely over the coming weeks. The entire programme runs for eight days starting with a Mass in Irish, composed by local branch member Colm Brussels (Montevideo Road). She highlighted a book titled ‘Lost Songs of Tipperary’, collected and edited by Bill O’Brien, which will be launched during the fleadh. To the amusement of her audience, she referred to the planned ‘Aqua Céili’ or more precisely, a ‘Céili in the Swimming Pool’. She also highlighted a planned community inclusion event and an Irish drama schools competition, and she concluded by saying that there will be music and singing in the town. During Mass on Sunday, May 17, the final day of the fleadh, the local church choir will be joined by the Theresa Larkin School of Music and friends. Competitions will take place in Coláiste Phobal during May 16-17.

The Courthouse in Roscrea was a fitting place for this launch for a number of reasons. Since the cessation of its use as a working courthouse in 2011, it has been developed, managed and used by Age Friendly Roscrea, an organisation developed by Anne Murray (Keevey), daughter of Jack and Mai Keevey. Jack Keevey was a founder member of the Roscrea Comhaltas branch way back in 1962.

The first fleadh in Roscrea was held in 1964 and on that occasion, the Courthouse was used as one of the competition venues. The online Bergin Collection of photographs has a picture of the late Nora Butler singing in the main courtroom.

Other fleadhanna were held in Roscrea in 1973, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2012. The fleadh of 1973, 2004 and 2009 were Munster Fleadhanna.

Formal proceedings of the evening ended with a song from Tadhg Maher titled ‘My hometown of Roscrea’ composed by local man Seamus Doran. Informal chat and light finger-food provided by the catering committee, headed by Marion Flanagan and Anne Feehan, brought a very pleasant evening to a close and the energy to be felt in the room is a good omen for a great fleadh.