TG4 to broadcast four nights of music from Westmeath this week
There won’t be a fleadh in Mullingar this year, but TG4 are doing what they can and will broadcast four programmes in a series called Fleadh2020 this week, starting on Thursday.
TOP OF PAGE: Presenters Dáithí Ó Sé & Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Photo: Eamon Ward
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s largest celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance, and this year was due to be a big year for Mullingar and ‘The Homecoming,’ Fleadh, as the event was to return to the place where it all began in 1951.
Because of Covid-19, however, the event has been cancelled for the first time in its 70-year history.
But as one door closes, another opens: Fáilte go Fleadh2020!
Fleadh2020 is a series of programmes which will be broadcast on four consecutive evenings from August 6 to 9 on TG4 at 9.30pm.
The programmes are being recorded this week in a marquee on the grounds of Bloomfield House Hotel.
The four 90-minute programmes will contain engaging, unmissable entertainment for the hundreds of thousands of people who would have been in Mullingar this August.
The series will feature musicians from all provinces and from the Diaspora.
These include, Beoga, Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill, Steve Cooney, Seamus Begley and family, Liz and Yvonne Kane and dancer Nathan Pilatske, Matt Molloy and John Carty, Sí Fiddlers, Donegal women fiddlers including Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, 2018 All-Ireland winners, Blackwater Céilí Band, Glackin family including presenter Doireann, Four Men and a Dog, Eamonn MacDonncha and family, David Geaney, Ryan Molloy and Fergal Scahill, the Droney family, Aedmar O’Connor, last year’s U18 champions Crossfields Céilí Band, Reelig, Attracta Brady and friends, U12 fiddle winner 2019 Laoise Ní Chinnéide, Aoife Cunningham, Damaris Woods, Jack Fitzpatrick and their teacher Kieran Hanrahan, Fitzgibbon Family from Limerick, Bofield CCÉ, composer Michael Rooney and many more.
Footage of musicians from around the world will also feature over the four programmes. These include a session with Irish musicians based in Brisbane, Frankie McCormick, a singing priest in New York will make an appearance, as will Frank McArdle and the Irish Minstrels branch in Glasgow and there will be an all Japanese céilí band from Tokyo.
Each programme will also have a reflective segment presented by Kieran Hanrahan, where each night a different set of panellists discuss the relevance and significance of the Fleadh to each region.
The discussions will highlight the impact of the fleadh on the local and wider fleadh community.
Presented by Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Daithi O Sé and Kieran Hanrahan of Céilí House, Fleadh2020 will air on TG4 for four consecutive nights, August 6-9, at 9.30pm.
The series is produced for TG4 by Power Pictures Ltd.
Blackwater Céilí Band
Ahead of recording their contribution to the TG4 series on Wednesday afternoon, the Blackwater Céilí Band from the Clogher Valley in County Tyrone (named after the River Blackwater) were rehearsing at Áras an Mhuilinn.
Band leader and co-founder, with Mark McCrystall, Ryan Hackett explained how it came about: "We were asked by TG4 to take part in a film to replace the fleadh for this year – they’re filming artists and musicians from throughout the country and we were invited to take part.
"So we’re here today and because we thought we needed a bit of rehearsal space, we thought we’d ask the regional Comhaltas centre and we’re delighted that they’ve allowed us to use their brilliant facilities here."
Ryan said the band, who were formed in 2015, released their debut album last year and they’re pleased with how it has done. So their visit to Mullingar is short this year, but they’re looking forward to coming back next year. "Once this crisis leaves us we’re hoping to get back out and about, touring again and seeing all our supporters."