'The fleadh is one of the most unbelievable things, it's a blessing’
Every year the Fleadh Cheoil attracts people from all across Ireland and around the world, and this year's instalment in Mullingar has been no different. We caught up with some international visitors who travelled from far and wide to be here in Mullingar for the momentous occasion.
Joe Bartke and Patrick Aovis arrived in Ireland on Sunday July 31 with the intention to backpack around the country for the summer and play music when they could, and actually stumbled across the fleadh.
Patrick said: “When we got to Ireland, I said we should go to Mullingar because I’ve been here before and I thought it’d be a great place to go busking.
“We got here and a photographer took our picture and we asked why he did that. He told us it was for the Fleadh Cheoil but we didn't know what that was.
“He told us it was the biggest traditional Irish music festival in the world and it was amazing because that's what we play, traditional Irish music.”
Together they are the Saltwater Skells from Dallas Texas and they play the guitar and the banjo.
We spotted the duo playing music outside Áras an Mhuilinn on Friday August 5 and they drew a great crowd with their Irish tunes that had a slight American twist.
Joe said: “The fleadh is one of the most unbelievable things, it's a blessing.”
“You can walk into any pub and even if there's no music you can sing a song and people will join in with you.
“We come from Texas where we grew up playing traditional Irish music, so it's great to be here surrounded by people playing it.”
The Sheemesh family are from Israel. They visited Ireland for the first time last week and again, came across the fleadh accidentally.
They said: “We heard about the fleadh just one day before we decided to go. The music on the streets is so nice and the atmosphere is even better.
“Listening to the children play is great. We are looking forward to seeing some more shows and music sessions.
“We love the people in Ireland and we have one word in particular that we’ve learned is pretty typical to describe the Irish people and that is affable.”
We then bumped into Julie Choufa who is from France but has been to Mullingar many times to visit her family.
She travelled back especially for the Fleadh Cheoil.
She said: “It's so strange to see all the streets closed and everyone walking around but it's lovely.
“We love the music festival. This is my first traditional festival ever and I am enjoying it very much.”
On a further wander around the town, we spoke to Roisin O’Neill and Erika Vucic.
Roisin is from Philadelphia USA and Erika is from Croatia but they are both living in Dublin for over three years now. The two women ventured into Mullingar for the fleadh because they love Irish music.
Roisin said: “I’ve been to the fleadh before but there is no comparison here. Mullingar has been the best yet.
“We are car camping here until the fleadh ends but we love the music and the atmosphere. It's amazing.
“There is no place like Ireland. Even on our way in, the local taxi man met us at the roundabout and brought us straight into the camp site. You wouldn’t get that anywhere else.
“He’s been looking after us.”
Roisin mentioned how her family is originally from Ireland and that she has always had a love for traditional Irish music.
She said: “My mother is from Kerry and my father is from Tyrone. We [Rosin and her mother] went to see Kila on Wednesday because we love them so much.
“It was my mom's first time seeing them and she’s already booked tickets to their next gig so it's great. The festival is so well organised.”
Erika can play the bodhrán and told us how she joined in with the busking musicians during the week for a tune or two. Roisin joked saying she may be able to dance a jig and play the spoons after a pint or two.