Bualadh Bos do gach éine ar ar ocáid an fleadh cheoil
The excitement and pride in Cavan town at the moment as it hosts the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil is tangible. The mammoth effort that has gone into organising the scores of events that will take place as part of the official fleadh programme and then on the fringes can not be understated. Somewhere in the region of €1m has being spent on preparations; while the real figure in terms of human resources and team effort is probably several times that. Cavan town has never looked so well - and given that the town has scooped top honours in the IBAL Litter League on numerous occasions in recent years that really is saying something.
Premises are freshly painted, amazing floral displays are everywhere, road markings are fresh, the town and its facilities are well sign posted, banners and bunting adorn the streets and some modern street coverings have been erected at intervals around the town centre area should the Irish weather threaten in any way the success and enjoyment of the street entertainment as part of the Cavan Fleadh.
The town is buzzing and people are coming out in their droves to see for themselves what all the fuss is about. And whether or not they are trad enthusiasts, it's impossible not to be caught up by the excitement and entertainment.
Yes it's true that there are a number of key people to thank for their part in bringing the fleadh to Cavan - Jack Keyes, county manager and chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee; Labhras Ó Murchú of CCÉ; Martin Donohoe; lilter and honorary Fleadh president Seamus Fay; Comhaltas figures locally and the Cavan Chamber. And of course, where would we be without the generous sponsorship of so many businesses around the town in such challenging times, first among them Quinn Direct, the main sponsor.
But the Cavan Fleadh has been a much bigger effort than just that. For the head of every sub-committee, there were numerous delegates and volunteers working beneath them as they led and delegated and co-ordinated the preparations for this massive event - the single biggest festival in Ireland and perhaps in Europe. And in recent weeks, people have pulled out all of the stops and gone above and beyond the call of duty to apply the finishing touches. So much hard work has been going on that nobody has had time to stop and look forward to the event. But now is Cavan's time to shine and everybody - visitors, natives and fleadh organisers - will be able to enjoy the fruits of such hard labour.
A huge congratulations to all. You have done the town and your county proud and now it's time to kick back and enjoy the ceol, craic, canadh agus damhsa.
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