Mullingar revealed as venue for Fleadh Cheoil 2020

Festival was founded in Co Westmeath in 1951 and last held there in 1963

Seoda Matthews from Drogheda playing traditional music on the street during last year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times

Mullingar has been selected as the venue for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann announced on Saturday.

The event will take place from August 2nd-9th next year.

Last year’s event in Drogheda, Co Louth attracted around 400,000 visitors to the town with up to 10,000 musicians taking part.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann founded the event in the Co Westmeath town in 1951 but the event has not been hosted there since 1963.

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“We are very proud to be part of this mammoth endeavour and have pledged that all necessary resources will be made available to the organising team,” said Pat Gallagher, chief executive of Westmeath County Council.

Chairperson of the Westmeath Comhatlas, Joe Connaire said; “We are bringing the Fleadh back to its roots, back to where it all began, and back to where our great organisation was founded. Our bid was founded on positivity from the start.”

Mullingar beat applications from Wexford town, Portlaoise, Co Laois, Tullamore, Co Offaly and Douglas, Co Cork to be selected as hosts.

This year’s Fleadh Cheoil will be in Drogheda and run from August 11th-18th.

Glen Murphy

Glen Murphy

Glen Murphy is an Irish Times journalist