Local trad musicians tune up for Leinster Fleadh in Wicklow this weekend

Shane King

All roads lead to the Garden County this weekend for traditional music enthusiasts as the provincial round of the Fleadh Cheoil takes place. This year’s Leinster fleadh in Wicklow town kicks off on Friday, July 12, and concludes on Sunday, July 14.

In the region of 10,000 people will descend on the town for a feast of Irish music, song and dance.

The highlight of the fleadh is the competitions and Westmeath will be well represented across all disciplines. The competitors qualified for this weekend’s final at the county fleadh in May.

Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí was held in Ballynacargy this year and more than 400 individuals and groups took part in the competitions, a level that is testament to the success of the All-Ireland Fleadh in Mullingar in 2022 and 2023.

Those placed first and second in the county competitions will be representing the county this weekend, and will have their eyes set on taking home silverware and earning a place in the final at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, being held in Wexford this year.

Along with the highly entertaining competitions, big names will be playing on the gig rig in the town centre. The line-up includes Polca 4, Fergal Schaill and Ryan Molloy, Goitse and Sharon Shannon. The stage will be buzzing with the musicians belting out jigs and reels throughout the three days.

Competitions begin at 10 o’clock each morning. Music, singing, Comhrá Gaeilge and storytelling competitions will take place in the local secondary school, Coláiste Cill Mhantáin, and the dancing events take place at separate locations.

Céilí dancing is being held in St Patrick’s GAA, set dancing will take place in the Dominican College and the sean-nós dancing is lined-up to be in the An Tairseach Centre.

Full details on the venues and the competition timetable is available on leinster-fleadh.ie or on any of their social media pages.