THOUSANDS OF traditional music, song, dance and language enthusiasts are gathering for the final weekend of what is expected to be a record-breaking Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
If early indications from local businesses and organisers are correct, attendance at the 2009 festival of traditional Irish entertainment will surpass any in the history of the 59-year-old event.
The director general of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, said the number of people attending the nine-day event could exceed 250,000, with some businesses reporting a 50 per cent increase in trade on last year.
Describing Tullamore as “the unofficial friendliest town in Ireland”, Mr Ó Murchú praised the local community and fleadh committee for their innovative approach to hosting the event.
“The fleadh committee and Attracta Brady (fleadh committee chairwoman) herself have been excellent. We would put Tullamore, both the fleadh and the town, in the top three,” Mr Ó Murchú said.“I have no doubt in my mind that Tullamore will be back in the fleadh in the next year or two – Tullamore will be back again.”
Organisers are citing the decline in people opting for foreign holidays, the central location of Tullamore, a renewed interest in all things traditional and the success of the town in hosting the event in 2007 and 2008 as reasons for the high turnout.
A notable increase in crowd numbers was evident on the streets of Tullamore yesterday, with bands forming at doorways, around benches and in all accessible areas.
The arrival of such large crowds was music to the ears of local businessmen and women.
Chairman of Tullamore Vintners Paul Bell is expecting a bumper weekend, having experienced a rise in the numbers of visitors this week compared to previous years. Tullamore had established itself as an ideal location for a fleadh, he said.
“This year has been very good – the early indications are that it is going to be very big,” he added.
Mr Bell, who runs the Brewery Tap in the town, has experienced an increase in trade on the previous two years. He said visitors from all over the world had commented on the warm reception in Tullamore. “People are blown away by the friendliness of the people in the town.”
Economic woes had failed to prevent people from attending the fleadh, he said. “Recession or not, Irish people will always come out and enjoy themselves.”
Fleadh committee spokeswoman Karen O’Grady expected figures to exceed those of previous fleadhs. She said businesses were reporting an increase in trade on 2007 and 2008, and that the attendance should be record-breaking.
Another record the fleadh committee is hoping to break is that for the world’s largest session. Held in Market Square yesterday, organisers hoped 3,000-plus performers would turn out to break the record set last year at 2,852.
Large parts of the town have been pedestrianised for the rest of the weekend. Insp Joe Prendergast said yesterday it was too early to predict numbers, but fine weather was contributing to the crowds. So far the event had been peaceful, he added.
Events will continue at various locations in the town today and tomorrow. The fleadh will close with a performance by the winners of the All Ireland Senior Céilí Band in Market Square on Sunday night. Many visitors are expected to remain for a number of days following the event.