Roscommon Fleadh returning to Athlone after 40 years!

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The Athlone Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is set to host the Fleadh Cheoil Ros Comáin this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

It will mark the first time the Fleadh has returned to Athlone in more 40 years.

The branch will be hosting many events over the Easter weekend and during the week leading up to the Fleadh, including sessions, slow sessions, a pop-up Gaeltacht, singing and dancing workshops, ceilís, and lots more.

For the little ones, Athlone Comhaltas will host the Magical Music Box Puppet Show on Wednesday, April 16, at 12.30pm in St Peter's Hall in Athlone.

On Friday, April 18, there will be a Ceilí Mór with the amazing 'Rise the Dust' at 8pm in Ballybay Hall, followed by singing and dancing workshops on Saturday, April 19, from 2pm to 4pm in Colaíste Chiaráin.

A number of sessions for adult musicians will take place in McNeill's, Connaghton's, and Monaghan's pubs, including a slow session in Monaghan's on Wednesday, April 16.

Fleadh dancing competitions will take place on Easter Sunday, with all other Fleadh competitions on Easter Monday, April 21. All competitions will be held at Coláiste Chiaráin in Summerhill.

The closing events will then take place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Easter Monday.

"It should be a really good week," said Ellen Glennon, chair of Athlone Comhaltas. "It's the first time the Roscommon Fleadh has been in Athlone since the '80s!

"Local businesses, and the local community have been extremely supportive since Athlone Comhaltas was re-launched in 2024. Registration numbers are rising, and we had a total of 52 entries from the local area for the Fleadh this year."

The Fleadh Cheoil Ros Comáin 2025 was launched on Sunday, March 23, in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Uachtarán of Comhaltas, Attracta Ní Bhradaigh, launched the Fleadh after a very well-attended junior seisiún.

"It was a pleasure to have the Uachtarán of Comhaltas at the launch of the Fleadh for our first year back," Ellen said. "It was a really big deal for us."

On the night, Gradams (awards) were presented to former chair, Tom O’Connor, and to the family of former secretary, the late Mary O’Connor.

Greg O’Donnell, acting director of services with Roscommon County Council, spoke at the event, as did Cllr Aengus O'Rourke of the Athlone Moate Municipal District.

Also in attendance were Mary Smith of the Roscommon County Council Arts Office, Cllr Valerie Duffy, Roscommon County Council, and Claire Mulvihill of St Jarlath's Credit Union (formerly Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union).

Ellen added: "We want to extend our thanks to Roscommon County Council, Westmeath County Council, and St Jarlath's Credit Union, as well as John Henson from HB Safety, Kennedy's Service Station in Monksland, and Alan and Paddy McCaul from the Shamrock Lodge Hotel for all of their support."