Fleadh Organising Committee Elected

Front row (l to r): Michael Marrinan (Cathaoirleach Craobh na gComorach & Siamsaíocht Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan), Marianne Ryan (Rúnaí, Fleadh Cheoil na  Mumhan 2012), Tadgh Mulcahy (Cathaoirleach Chomhairle na Mumhan), Assunta Casey (Rúnaí, Chomhairle na Mumhan), Michael O'Brien (Cathaoirleach Choiste Chontae Phort Láirge), Martin Forristal (Rúnaí, Choiste Chontae Phort Láirge)

Middle Row (l to r): Alice Fitzgerald (Lóistín), Mary Marrinan, Mary-Jean Timmins (Bia & Dí), Anne Halpin (Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí),Donnacha Ó Cinnéide (Comh-Cisteoirí Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan), Máiréad Fahey (Comh-Cisteoirí Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan), Marguerite Walsh (Rúnaí Cúnta)

Back Row (l to r): Richard Hill (Clár Chuimhneacháin), Ben O'Gorman (Maoir), Martin Mannion (Ionaid/Comharthaí), Noel Power (Airgeadais).

Elections to the 2012 Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan Executive and sub-committees took place at a very well-attended inaugural meeting held on August 10th 2011. This meeting was held in Cúil na Sméar, the home of Craobh na gComarch, which lies in the foothills of the beautiful Comeragh mountains, just outside Dungarvan town. Many of you will be familiar with the names of Michael Marrinan and Alice Fitzgerald, both stalwarts of the branch, well known to many in traditional music circles and heavily involved with the organisation of Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2012.

Craobh na gComarach is very enthusiastic about hosting Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in Dungarvan in 2012 - the first time since 1988 that the town has hosted this prestigious event. We are planning an ambitious, comprehensive programme of music, song and dance to entertain our visitors, and in particular, are determined to put "the stamp of the Déise" on the festival, highlighting those aspects that have a particularly strong local tradition or strength. In particular, given our close proximity with An Rinn Gaeltacht, we are placing a special emphasis on gaelige across all aspects of the programme. In addition, the first three days of the festival will be taken up with a summer school in all instruments, music, song and dance. This will be a first for the South-East, and represents an exciting innovation for all concerned!

The second meeting of the Fleadh Committee was held on Oct 5th, where the various sub-committees reported progress, particularly in the areas of fundraising and sponsorship. Further fundraising events are being planned over the next few months and all committee members are beavering away behind the scenes, working on plans to deliver the biggest festival Dungarvan has seen in decades!