ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

FLEADH NUA '88'27-30 MAYTheme:IRELAND-AUSTRALIABI-CENTENNIALCE LEB RA nONSWhy should I go to Fleadh Nua'88 next May?For atmosphere, variety of entertainment,and an insight into themany cultural threads that knitIrish life together, the visitor toFleadh Nua in Ennis, Co. Clare hasit all in one hectic 4-day festival.Starting on Friday and going onuntil Monday night, thisinternational gathering of Irish traditionalmusic lovers is quite uniquein the Irish calendar of events.For the ceili-goers there is a firstclass ceili every night at Cois nahAbhna dancing to the music oftop class bands including the Tulla,Shannonside and the LiverpoolCeil{ Bands. For those who wouldlike to learn some of the set or ceilidances there is an Adult DancingWorkshop. This has proved ·verypopular with visitors from homeand abroad under the tutorship ofPat Liddy. ,Singing Workshops (Gearoid 0Croinin) and music workshops andsessions are also organised as part ofthe weekend.Celtic Studies An innovationlast year has been a series of CelticStudies based on some aspect of thecultural history of Ireland. In Maywe intend to pursue the many linksthat tie Ireland with Australia.The Sean Reid Memorial Lectureon Sunday afternoon has provedvery popular attracting large crowdsto the De Valera Library. Thislecture will again be "Ireland-Australia"to celebrate the bicentennialwith the great continent downunder.Concerts Every night in themodern comfortable Auditorium,Danlan an Chlair there are professionallyproduced colourfulconcerts displaying the best of Irishtraditional talent while in the HolyFamily Hall half hour shows fromthe provinces and Britain competefor All-Ireland Championship titles.Sunday's Cultural Parade is awonderful example of the strongcommunity spirit that exists in thetowns, villages and clubs of theBanner County. The parade . isfurther swelled by the many groupswho participate · from . othercounties of Ireland and the U.K.with Leeds and Liverpool to thefore. This year we welc~me in particulara celtic group from NorthernSpain (Galazia) a group fromDorset in England and our Australianand American cousins.This public display by over 60groups, floats, bands and dancinggroups attracts crowds of over40,000. Many of the floats reflectthe theme of the week-end whichwill celebrate Ireland - AustraliaBicentennial and the 100 years ofthe Claremens' Association in NewYork:Street Music & Dancing WhileSunday's Parade fills the narrowwinding streets with music, ceilibands will play in the streets onSaturday. Street dancing took offwith great enthusiasm last year inthe Square to the Liverpool CeiliBand and down in front of thereview stand on Sunday. Ennis,with a population of about 18,000,is an "old fashioned" town withmodern hotels and guest houses anda spirit of hospitality that bringsthousands of visitors back yearafter year.See you in Ennis next May.-SEAN MacDIARMADAMELODEON TITLE FOR DIARMAIDBEFO~E .... DIARMAID b CATHAIN workingstudiollsly in the Fleadh Office.IN BETWEEN .... Diarmaid , melodeon in hand,on the way to competition centre.AFTER ....... DIARMAID receiving themelodeon champion trophy from PADRAIGb CEALLAIGH.22