Published: Wednesday, 17th February, 2010 5:00pm
Leader: Community effort required for All-Ireland fleadh
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The hosting of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Cavan from August 16 to Sunday 22 is a major coup for the county and is expected to net in the region of €30m for the economy. If it's a success, Cavan stands a good chance of winning the bid to host the fleadh for a second year. We have a hard act to follow in Tullamore, which won the fleadh three years in a row. To make the event a major success for the county, and ultimately local businesses, we all need to pull together.
With between 200,000 and 250,000 people expected to descend on Cavan for the week of national competitions and events, it impossible for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the local authorities to do it all on their own.
The business community can contribute by ensuring that they organise events, entertainment and specials to coincide with the event. They should also ensure good value for money and not try to make a quick buck out of visitors. Afterall, we want to win the fleadh for another year - and that means more business for 2011.
There is plenty of good accommodation on offer in Co. Cavan but with 200,000 plus people coming, there's not enough. There will be camp sites erected around the town but still more rooms are needed. If you have any spare rooms for rent, that are clean and comfortable and within striking distance of town; then the fleadh's accommodation committee wants to hear from you. The extra cash would come in handy too.
The public meeting next Monday night in the Hotel Kilmore, Cavan is for everybody. It's vital to hit home to the community just how big of an event this will be and how much work needs to be done between now and August to prepare for it. A proper traffic management plan is crucial and the success of the fleadh could live (or die) by this alone. Competitors in an unfamiliar town need ease of access between competition venues and in a timely fashion!
A successful fleadh will benefit everybody - whether you're in business or whether you want to revel in a weekend of top-class traditional entertainment. Cavan will be on a world stage and we need to put our best foot forward.
