Youth Will Reign Supreme at The Fleadh Down in Ennis

OVER 300 young musicians are set to descend on the streets of Ennis to perform throughout the week of the Fleadh Nua festival from May 27th to June 5th. Youth involvement has always been an important part of Fleadh Nua, handing on the baton to the next generation, and this year as Comhaltas continues to develop its renewal and development programme, Glór will be the venue for what promises to be a very exciting concert featuring over 100 young musicians, singers and dancers with the Barefield Youth Traditional Orchestra on Friday 2nd June. During the festival week hundreds of school aged musicians will perform in the town. Barefield National School will host a musical event in the town centre on Monday afternoon followed by Ennis CBS primary on Tuesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday Ennis National and Knockanean schools will provide afternoon performances, while Ceoltóirí Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Ciosóg will provide entertainment in the town on Friday afternoon.

The Fleadh Down in Ennis will be a fleadh for everyone, the purists of Irish music and the wider audience that enjoy the more informal street events and sessions. While the programme will include all the very successful elements of previous Fleadh Nua such as the Lunchtime Concerts, Irish Language events, Set Dancing, Sean-Nós Dancing workshop and performance, Story Telling, Singing Sessions, CD launches etc, there will be an even greater emphasis on creating a festival atmosphere with live music in the streets.

Following the success of recent All Ireland and Munster Fleadhanna and Fleadh Nua, the town of Ennis has become synonymous with the celebration of Irish music.

The craic on the streets and the informal open-air sessions contribute significantly to the ambience that labelled Ennis “The Fleadh Town”.

The Fleadh Down in Ennis concept originates from a song of the same title composed by the late Robbie McMahon celebrating the 1956 Fleadh which is generally regarded as having played a pivotal role in the renaissance of our Traditional Music, Song and Dance. This year’s event not only celebrates the music but also the town of Ennis and its significant contribution to the revival and success of Irish music.

The 2023 programme will run from May 27th to June 5th taking in the June bank holiday weekend. A particular focus on the events programme this year will be on the concept of a fleadh for everyone. The committee plan to fill the streets with music over the week to be enjoyed by all both young and old. These informal street sessions together with the pub session trail are set to enhance the festival atmosphere of the event.

Kicking off the festival this year on Friday May 27th is a tribute concert to the late Martin Connolly who passed away in July 2021 during Covid. Martin an All-Ireland champion accordion player was also a gifted accordion maker and photographer. The festival calendar is packed with events concerts, sessions, workshops and céilithe throughout the week culminating in a weekend of concerts in Glór fea- turing the Barefield Youth Trad Orchestra on Friday June 2nd, Taobh na Mara the 2022 All-Ireland winning Céilí Band on Saturday June 3rd, and Martin Hayes in concert on Sunday June 4th. Full details on www.fleadhnua.com.

The Fleadh Down in Ennis will mark 50 years in the town in 2024 and plans are already a foot to celebrate this milestone in style.