Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ard-Stiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will launch Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016 before an invited audience in glór on Friday, 23rd October, 2015.  After a gap of almost 40 years the world’s greatest celebration of traditional Irish Music Song and Dance returns to Ennis from 14th to 22nd August, 2016.  The sense of anticipation and excitement around the town and county has been palpable following the decision of an Ardchomhairle last March to entrust the local Abbey Branch with the signal honour of hosting the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2016.

Since then, Chairman Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh and the Fleadh Executive Committee in partnership with Clare County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Health and Emergency Services have set about the task with unbridled enthusiasm and efficiency.   And what a mammoth task it is with an estimated 400,000 visitors, 4,000 competitors and 9,000 session musicians due to descend on Ennis and environs over the course of 9 days next summer.

The Official Opening will afford people the opportunity of learning about key elements of the Festival including Accommodation, Volunteering and Accessibility.  Representatives of the Business and Hospitality Sectors from Ennis and the Mid-West Region will be keen to hear of the ways in which they can contribute to the success of the Festival.  Local and National Media Organisations will also be in attendance so that word of the event spreads far and near.  County Clare’s reputation in the Trad World rests on the talents, generosity and achievements of generations – past and present - of musicians, singers and dancers.  Local exponents will no doubt welcome the chance to acquaint themselves with the plans afoot to make Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016 a worthy successor to its 1956 and 1977 predecessors.

An occasion associated with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann without music, song or dance would be akin to “Hamlet” without the Prince.  And the Official Launch will be no exception with entertainment on the evening provided by the music of Chris Droney and family, Tara Breen, Kieran Hanrahan, Padraic and Damien O’Reilly, the Cois na hAbhna Seisún group and Ennisytmon CCÉ group; the songs of Anne Kirrane, Denise Whelan, Peter Casey and Roisín Rodgers; and the dance of Eoin Killeen and the West Clare set dancers.

“Tosach maith leath na hoibre” a deir an seanfhocal.  Friday’s Official Launch is sure to provide a flying start to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Inis 2016 and a tantalising glimpse of what lies ahead.

Established in 1951, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is a non-profit cultural movement involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, song and dance with 420 branches worldwide.