Westmeath Fleadh returns to Moate after eight years

Moate CCÉ will host the Westmeath Fleadh for the first time in eight years, this weekend, May 9-11.

“There are eight branches of Westmeath CCÉ, so we all take our turn to host the fleadh,” said Sharleen Doyle of Moate Comhaltas. “The last time we hosted was in 2017, so we’re delighted to have the fleadh back in Moate.”

Comhaltas Uachtarán, Attracta Brady, will launch the fleadh on Friday at 6.30pm in Dún na Sí with a rendition of ‘A Trip To Dún na Sí’, a song was composed by her father, John Brady.

Later on Friday (8-11pm), local band Rise The Dust – accordion player Brendan Doyle, Johnny Duffy (banjo), and Liz Ryan (piano) – perform, and on Saturday (10am-5pm) the set dancing competitions take place in Moate Community School, when some 600 competitors aged 10 to 35 are expected.

Tuar Ard Arts Centre will host a concert on Saturday at 8pm with Moate CCÉ accordion teacher Damien Mullane, guitarist and singer Sean O’Meara, and Conor Broderick, who holds a Master’s in Music from the University of Limerick.

On Sunday there will be 500-plus competitors in Moate Community School (10am-5pm).

“We have competitors from Castletown Geoghegan, Mullingar, Ballymore, and all over Westmeath really. Every group brings their own flavour to the table,” Sharleen said.

Westmeath CCÉ branches will host sessions in the pubs in Moate: Mullingar CCÉ in Don’s Bar, Moate CCÉ in Egan’s, and Castletown Geoghegan in Peadar’s.

“There’s generations of families involved in Westmeath CCÉ, it’s so deeply in grained,” Sharleen said. “It’s going to be a busy weekend, and we encourage everyone to join us – even if they have had no previous experience of a fleadh.”

Sharleen extended thanks to the Moate CCÉ committee, the team at Dun na Sí for volunteering, and the 50-plus volunteers and first aiders who will be working to help the events run smoothly.

Entrance to the competitions is €5.