www.2013fleadh.ie

As traditional music fans from across the globe make their way home from this years Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan, plans for 2013 in Derry are already well underway.

The capital of the North West will host the festival North of the border for the first time from 12th – 18th August 2013.

Mayor of Derry Kevin Campbell said  “The All Ireland Fleadh is a huge event for the city and region as we prepare for next year and the City of Culture. The event presents us with a unique opportunity to welcome up to 300,000 people to our city and enable us to benefit from an estimated economic benefit of £40million for the region. The city of Derry is at the cusp of change and looking forward towards a new and positive future thanks to over £100m investment in regeneration and infrastructure. 2013 is our chance to tell our new story and welcome people across the island of Ireland and beyond to share our experience and be part of our year of celebration. I am confident that the 2013 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be a momentous occasion for the city and be a celebratory occasion for everyone involved.”

Derry’s Fleadh Chairperson, Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh, also visited this years event in Cavan to convince regular Fleadh goers to come North.

“With just twelve months to go we have been delighted with the enthusiasm people have shown for the Fleadh .The Fleadh coming to Derry is truly a momentous and historic event that has brought together the entire community here to show people what this city can do.

Derry is one of the oldest cities within the island of Ireland and we are also renowned as a city of music and culture. But the most important quality we have is, I think, the welcome that we extend to visitors. Time and time again people tell us that they are welcomed like old friends when they come to Derry and we know that is what those who attend Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 will experience.

We went to Cavan to tell everyone who would listen how great Derry is and would like to thank the people of Cavan for their support. The response we have received has been phenomenal with thousands of pounds of accommodation booked this weekend alone. We have plans to visit all 32 counties in Ireland during the next twelve months with the same message.”
Famous as the site of Colmcille’s monastic settlement and for its 17th century walls, the landscape of Derry features an ever changing skyline that is made for a Fleadh Cheoil. It has changed again recently with the addition of a new pedestrian bridge and sustained investment in arts and cultural infrastructure. Unlike other big cities, Derry has a boutique city centre which is easily walk-able. The city is also accustomed to regularly hosting major festivals; in fact it hosts thirty eight International arts and sporting festivals each year.

Organisers have already reported a record number of enquiries from international Comhaltas branches seeking accommodation as well as branches closer to home who undoubtedly want to experience a piece of history being made.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It is the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish culture and will visit the North for the first time in its sixty year history in 2013. The event attracts over a quarter of a million visitors and generates €40million for the local economy. Over 10,000 traditional musicians and their families will descend on the city over ten days in what has been described as “the biggest party” the North West has ever seen.

Visitors can keep up to date with Fleadh 2013 developments on the website www.2013fleadh.ie, on facebook at www.facebook.com/2013fleadh or on twitter via @fleadh4derry. Information on Derry is also available from www.derryvisitor.com

For more information please contact
Anne-Marie Gallagher, P.R.O. Fleadh 2013
T: + 44 28 71 264132
M: +44 775 971 1057
E: annemarie@culturlann-doire.ie
www.2013fleadh.ie