Fleadh Cheoil coming back to Cavan town

It was a great weekend for the county as the official word came through... Cavan town will host the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August 2011. It was not unexpected but still sparked major celebrations as the business community breathed a sigh of relief that the major international event, worth up to €30m to the local economy, was coming back again. Now the hard work begins afresh, but the Fleadh Executive Committee (FEC) under the leadership of County Manager, Jack Keyes, have the advantage this year of the experience of organising what was one of the best All-Ireland fleadhs in history - the Cavan Fleadh 2010. Indeed such was the success of the fleadh in Cavan last month, that for the first time in its history, the fleadh in 2011 will run for ten days from August 13 to 22. The confirmation of Cavan as host for 2011 came on Saturday at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann headquarters in Dublin as Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, ard stiúhoir, CCÉ, made the welcome announcement. This was the unanimous choice of the Ard Chomhairle as Cavan had hosted one of the most colourful and event-filled Fleadhanna in 2010. "The Cavan organisers consistently said 'Let Cavan Surprise You' and they certainly surprised everybody with a fun-filled and very memorable Fleadh for all who travelled to Cavan. The whole Comhaltas family is most appreciative of the organisation and branding, which Cavan put into this great Irish festival, and we thank them most sincerely for their continued commitment to Irish culture," said Senator Ó Murchú. He was fullsome in his praise of the volume of volunteers who assisted in making the Fleadh in Cavan such a success in 2010. In particular, he paid tribute to Jack Keyes for his determination, Martin Donohoe for his energy and enthusiasm and Martin Gaffney and his team for the extensive media coverage that the Fleadh 2010 received. Responding, Mr. Keyes, said: "Hosting the Fleadh in 2010 was a very positive experience in every way for all in Cavan and we are honoured to be chosen for a second year to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2011." Also commending the volunteers, Mr. Keyes added: "I am certain that Cavan people will again meet the challenge and put this annual event up there as the biggest national and better known international festivals of music and culture. The work starts all over again to advance the best of our Irishness to be shared with our neighbours on the fringes of Europe and across the Atlantic." A number of speakers also welcomed the return of the fleadh to Cavan - the Minister for Agriculture and Cavan/Monaghan TD, Brendan Smith; Cavan Mayor, Paddy O'Reilly; Uachtarán CCÉ, Seamus McCormack; chairman of County Cavan CCE, Gussy Moyles and Pacelli Lynch, president of the Cavan Chamber. The last word was with the chairman of Cavan County Council, Cllr. Dessie Boylan when he said: "Cavan raised the bar in 2010 and they will raise it further in 2011 and come August we will all be ready and able to jump it." Meanwhile, Cavan Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly, who was unable to make Dublin on Saturday, has also welcomed the return of the fleadh to Cavan in 2011. "The decision is a wonderful vote of confidence in and vindication of Cavan's capacity to stage the event in the future and the way it was hosted this year. The people of Cavan have great pride in their ability to host such a momentous event, based on the overwhelming achievement it was to stage the Fleadh this year and the success it will inevitably be next year."