Fleadh fever!

Following the trad' tornado that swept over Cavan in the last week, organisers are already gearing up for Fleadh 2011. The official word as to whether Europe's biggest cultural event will return is not due for three weeks but the resounding success of the first Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann in Cavan since 1954 will bode well when Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann vote in September. Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, who'll be among 31 voting, said he will be "very, very surprised" if Cavan doesn't come through. "My personal opinion is that it was one of the best in the 60-year history of the fleadh and having spoken to many of the visitors, I think they would share that view," he said, adding that it may have been the biggest as well as one of the best. "I met one person who hardly ever misses a fleadh and he reckoned the crowd in Cavan was double that in Tullamore. If an estimate of 250,000 at any single fleadh in the past was correct there is no doubt that was at least the minimum in Cavan. It was possibly the biggest crowd ever at a Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann." He told how the crowd at the Egg Market on Sunday evening was so big that as a preventative measure the winning céilí band performance was redirected to the Quinn Direct Dome. The proximity to the Border brought large northern crowds - "to the extent that a frequent question was 'when are you going to cross the Border with the fleadh'," according to the Senator. He paid tribute to the PR committee for the extensive positive media exposure. "There was no overcharging of visitors," he said. "And I think it was the first time ever we had such an integration of the local authority with the fleadh and I think that it would almost be essential in the future." County Manager and chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee, Jack Keyes, said that the "totally exhausted but happy" committee are starting an immediate review of this year's event and inviting feedback. "We're aware there's a formal process to go through and we must wait that with bated breath but we're going to start planning on the basis that we are going ahead. We will have to raise the finances but we're confident that local businesses will be behind us 100%." Regarding the exceptional media exposure, he said: "Cavan's name is out there," urging services providers to capitalise on that. "I have dreamt of seeing that crowd on the streets in Cavan," he said. "Sometimes dreams don't come true but on this occasion they have - even more than we anticipated." President of Cavan Chamber, Pacelli Lynch, said that businesses were "delighted" with the fleadh. "Some benefited more than others, but the hope is that with the money in the local economy all businesses will ultimately benefit," said Mr. Lynch. He said pubs have had a difficult time and were glad to get a good turnover the past week but emphasised that the long-term benefits to the county's profile will be invaluable. "It was a great PR opportunity and Cavan came out of it very positively," commented Mr. Lynch. He noted the fact that the event went off without major incident, as confirmed by Gardaí and a spokesperson for Cavan General Hospital who said admissions weren't significantly affected despite the 250,000-plus visitors. "It was a joy to be among so many people who were totally relaxed and enjoying themselves," said Mr. Lynch. As for Martin Donohoe, chair of fleadh events and entertainment and Cavan Town Comhaltas, the highlight was the sight of the Half Acre, where he grew up, from a thronged Egg Market on Sunday evening. "Everything I ever dreamt about happened in Cavan this year... Wow!" he said. Martin had previously described his relationship with Mr. Keyes for the past year as like the odd couple's marriage. "It was a very good marriage," he joked, "and there was a fantastic birth last week. A healthy baby arrived and everyone will love that child." Thanking all involved, he said the people of Cavan should be very proud, and he urged businesses who benefited to ease the workload of the voluntary committee by approaching them with sponsorship. But Martin hasn't yet committed to another year of putting his life on hold for the fleadh. "I found it the most stressful thing I've ever done and I'm considering where I am," was his reply when asked if he'll be volunteering again. "Whether we get the fleadh back or not, everyone wants to come back to Cavan," he said, commenting that Cavan had the Celtic Tiger back for one glorious week, before it took off to Tralee. "This will be talked about for years."