Mayo Fleadh Cheoil Notes & Programme of Events
Special Guests for Mayo Fleadh Cheoil in Swinford
Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell will open Mayo Fleadh Cheoil 2015
Two special guests have been invited to Swinford to help get the Fleadh off to a great start.
Tadhg MacDhonnagáin will be guest of honour at the Oíche Amhránaíochta – an evening of singing, storytelling and recitation on Thursday 7th May at 8:30pm in Mellett’s on Market Street and Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell is our special guest who will open the Fleadh on Friday 8th May at 7.30pm in the Gateway Hotel.
We are honoured and delighted to welcome both of them to Swinford.
Competitions
Competitions in music, singing, lilting, whistling and Comhrá Gaeilge will be held in Swinford Secondary School and Swinford National School all day on Saturday 9th May beginning at 10am and in Swinford Secondary School on Sunday 10th May beginning at 11am.
Dancing competitions begin in the Gateway Hotel at 9am on Sunday 10th May and go on until about 4.30pm.
€5 per adult and €3 per child will gain you entry into all competitions on either day.
Be sure to come and sit in at some of the competitions and hear what a Fleadh Cheoil is really about.
Some of our wonderful young musicians at the launch of Mayo Fleadh Cheoil in the Cultural Centre.
New Cups
Competitors at this year’s Mayo Fleadh Cheoil will be delighted to hear that three new Perpetual Cups have been presented to us which will increase to thirty three the number of Cups/Trophies which will be won.
The Cup for Bodhrán under 12 was presented by Swinford musician Joseph McNulty, the Cup for Irish Singing under 12 (girls) was presented by Regina Filan McKibben and the Cup for Céilí Band Drumming 15-18 was presented by Tumgesh National School Past Pupils & the Durkin Family of Ballydrum and Philadelphia.
Michael Davitt CCE and Mayo County Board CCE wish to express sincere thanks for the new cups.
Fleadh Mass
A special “Fleadh Mass” as Gaeilge will be celebrated in Our Lady Help Of Christians Church, Swinford on Saturday 9th May at 6.30pm.
The Cóir Comhaltas Mhaigh Eo wll be singing at the Fleadh Mass
The wonderful Cóir Chomhaltas Chontae Mhaigh Eo will be led by renowned organist Seosamh Ó Flatharta from Moycullen and conductor Marie Holmes Walsh both of whom will also feature as soloists. Guest soloist for this beautiful celebration is Astrid Ní Mhongáin.
Dancers from the Julie Smith School of Dancing will add to the sense of joy in traditional music, song and dance which permeates a Fleadh Mass
Marching Bands
The people of Swinford and visitors in town for the Fleadh have a great treat in store for them this Sunday 10th May. Three Pipe bands will march and play on Main Street!
Midfield Pipe Band
Our local Midfield Band will give a recital after last Mass and then march downtown and play on Main Street. The Marching Bands Competition will be held on Main Street at 3pm and will be a wonderful display of music and colour.
Don’t forget to come and enjoy the occasion.
Céilí and Seisiún
The music for the Fleadh Céilí this year will be provided by the famous Matt Cunningham band. A Fleadh Céilí is always a special occasion and the Set and Céilí dancers are assured of a great night. The Céilí is on Friday 8th May at 9.30pm in the Gateway Hotel.
The special Fleadh Seisiún Mór will be held in the Gateway Hotel on Saturday 9th May from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. It is hoped that there will also be sessions in other pubs around the town. Sessions will be organised in the pubs at various times all weekend with the cooperation of publicans and musicians.
Mayo Fleadh Cheoil Programme of Events
Thursday 7th May
8.30pm OÍCHE AMHRÁNAÍOCHTA AGUS SPRAOI
In Mellett’s meeting room
Caint le TADHG MAC DHONNAGÁIN,
“Mise Raiftearaí an Fíodóir Focal”
followed by
A night of singing, storytelling and recitation
Admission free. Refreshments served.
Friday 8th May
7.30pm OFFICIAL OPENING with Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell
In the Gateway Hotel
9.30 pm CÉILI MÓR with MATT CUNNINGHAM BAND
In the Gateway Hotel
Saturday 9th May
10am Competitions U12, 12-15 in Scoil Muire agus Padraig Secondary & Competitions U10 in Scoil Muire agus Treasa Primary School
6.30pm AIFREANN NA FLEIDHE in Our Lady Help Of Christians Church
The Fleadh Mass – a beautiful celebration with traditional music, song and dance and featuring the Mayo Comhaltas Choir
7.30pm -9.00pm SEISIÚN MÓR in the GATEWAY HOTEL
Welcome to all local and visiting musicians
Sessions in pubs all weekend
Sunday 10th May
9am Ceili Dancing, Set Dancing, Sean Nós Dancing Competitions
All day in Gateway Hotel
11am Competitions 15-18 and over 18 in Scoil Muire agus Padraig Secondary School
12.30pm Midfield Pipe Band marching from Swinford Church with Recital on Main Street
3pm Marching Pipe Bands Competition on Main Street
