A ‘fun-filled’ weekend in Killeshandra

Killeshandra will host this year’s county fleadh for the second consecutive year and organisers have gone above and beyond to make it better than ever.

The renowned Killeshandra Festival of the Lakes will also take place in the town this bank holiday weekend.

While great excitement is building for both events, there is a “tint of sadness” to the fleadh this year with the passing of renowned musician Ted Sweeney in February of this year, who was a committed member of Killeshansdra CCÉ.

“He is in our memories in everything that we do in our preparations and over the weekend as well,” John Cosgrove told the Celt.

John said he and the rest of the committee are encouraging the people to enjoy the events.

“We want to see people on the streets of Killeshandra, we want to see crowds in Killeshandra again. The main object was that we get a crowd into the town.”

With this in mind, the moment Trad Fest was finished, the committee got “straight into” Fleadh preparations.

The Killeshandra man outlined what is in store for this weekend. The festivities will begin on Thursday evening with the usual seisiún, however with a bit of a twist this year. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, a special film of their sessions will be shown in the Resource Centre at 7pm.

On Friday evening the Fleadh will kick off with the U10 tin whistle competition, which will see the best of the best come to perform in a fierce play off between ninety competitors.

“Kind of crazy but good fun,” is how John predicted the competition to go.

Lego building competition

Speaking of fun, Killeshandra Festival of the Lakes are hosting a Lego building competition that night from 6-8pm in the Family Focus Resource Centre and are calling all Lego masters to showcase their pre-built creations.

Next it will be off down the town to the gig rig located in the carpark across from Kelly’s Bar, where there will be a junior session with the Armagh Rhymers on stage at 7:30pm.

The gig rig will give youth groups and players from around the county a chance to join in sessions, and will “keep the town lively” circulating traditional Irish music around the streets.

“It’s an option for live music other than the pub,” John suggested.

Saturday morning will start with a Sean Nós singing workshop with All-Ireland solo singing champion Emily Rooney at 11am.

“We’re thrilled to have her and it’ll definitely be a great workshop for any up-and-coming Irish singers and, on top of that, for anyone who wants to master their craft.”

Meanwhile the Tractor Day will see kids’ tractor races, a vintage tractor display, bouncy castles and festival favourites The Absurdist Pipe Band come to the town from 12 until 3pm. The event is open to all with free admission and will take place at The Strand at the Town Lake.

More competitions will take place throughout the day and an evening recital in the Rath Church with All-Ireland flute champion Ellen O’Brien and Emily Rooney at 6pm. Túras will play on the on the gig rig at 7pm.

Sunday starts off with a Fleadh mass at 11am, followed by competitions in Scoil Bhríde and St Brigid’s Church.

Family fun day

Next, make your way down to The Strand again for the Family Fun Day, an activity filled day for toddlers to teens and adventurous adults, with kids’ entertainment, water activities, food and drink and The Absurdist Pipe Band. Entries cost €8 per person, while children under two go free.

The fleadh concert in the Killeshandra Community Hall at 7pm will feature Niall Hanna, Damien McKee and Rachel McGarrity, Cathal and Stephen Hayden with Seamie O’Dowd. There will be music in all pubs over the weekend finishing with Páidraig McGovern and friends in Hayes on Sunday night.

On Monday, Killeshandra Fire Service will host a fire demonstration at the fire station from 1-3pm. Next, the festival organisers have really got creative with a car treasure hunt, which will see people drive in their cars, and follow clues leading them to all sorts of locations around Killeshandra, starting at Kelly’s Bar at 4pm.

“There’s loads of options, there’s street sessions, there’s pub sessions, there’s music on the gig rig, there’s the family fun day and then there’s the Fleadh concert with some of the biggest names in Irish music.

“It’s just a fun filled weekend,” John said, adding that there will be food vendors around the town also.

“It’s definitely worth it,” he encouraged.