It's going to be Fleadh-bulous!

In case anyone didn't know, Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann is set to take place in Cavan town from August 16-22 this year. It will be the first time since 1954 that the All Ireland Fleadh has been in Co. Cavan, and back then - as Cavan's champion lilter and All Ireland Fleadh President 2010 Seamus Fay remembers - it was a case of a couple of hundred people, mostly on bicycles. Considered to be Europe's biggest cultural festival, Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann is Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's massive celebration of our traditional music, song, dance, language, heritage and culture. Competitions At the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann inaugural meeting in September 1951 it was decided to create a national festival named Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Festival of Music in Ireland). The Fleadh has developed as a mainly competitive event, but also includes showcases of concerts, céilithe, parades, pageants, and street sessions. The continued growth in the number and standard of fleadhanna held have facilitated competitors to qualify from county, provincial and regional levels for the All-Ireland finals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The fleadhanna at each level provide a platform and a meeting place for over 10,000 musicians, who carry on the great tradition of playing and cherishing our music, songs and dances. But it's not only about the competitions. The best that's out there The Peace III Gig Rig will be a purpose-built stage sited in the Egg Market, providing that special Fleadh feeling from Wednesday right up until the closing night on Sunday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, it will bring us sounds from all over the world (from Auckland Islands to the US to Europe), allowing us to explore and share our cultures, traditions and music. The spectacular pageant on Thursday, August 19, will be a unique display of fun and festivity as it winds through the streets in a spray of music, colour and rhythm. That evening will see the performance on the Peace III Gig Rig of Doors Of Life Under One Umbrella by a multi-cultural dance group formed to produce a dance for the fleadh. Friday the Peace III Gig Rig will see Seán Ó Sé sing along with County Cavan's Comhaltas musicians. On Saturday, RTE's Céilí House will broadcast live from the rig, followed by a performance by musician, Daoirí Farrell. Sunday will see Sharon Shannon and her band perform on the rig. Meanwhile in Cavan Town Hall, The Late Night Fleadh Club will run from Friday to Sunday. The venue, which is to be licensed for the fleadh, will hold events starting in late evening. Old De Danann are scheduled for Friday. Louth And Proud, with Zoe Conway and At First Light, will be on Saturday. The legendary Lúnasa will perform on Sunday night. The Dún Uí Neill barracks will host the set céilí all weekend, Paul Brady and friends will play in the Equestrian Centre on Friday, and on the same evening in the Farnham Arms Hotel, youth band, Beoga, will have an early concert for under 18s and later one. There will be several CD launches, including that of Doorsteps And Windowsills by Antóin MacGabhann and Mick O'Connor. And that's only a taste of what's to come on the Fleadh 2010 programme. Then, of course, there will be the sounds of informal sessions coming out of every door and window. Little wonder, events and entertainment sub-committee chairman, Martin Dohohoe, comments: "It's totally the best of what's out there." Enjoy! • See www.fleadh2010.ie.