Munster Fleadh Blaa Hooley is a great success

Comeraghs Comhaltas and friends held Ireland’s first ever ‘Fleadh Blaa Hooley’ in Dungarvan last weekend.  The Hooley – a joint fundraiser for the 2012 Munster Fleadh Cheoil and the Waterford Festival of Food*, celebrated the very best of traditional Irish music and dance and the famous Waterford “Blaa” - a distinctive floury bread roll unique to the Déise.

Here in Comeraghs Comhaltas, we have adopted the culinary symbol of the Déise, put a tipper in it’s hand and baked up our very own FLEADH BLAA as a mascot for Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2012. Our FLEADH BLAA’s first outing was to the Hooley – named in his honour, and which he appeared to thoroughly enjoy. (By the way, he wasn’t the only one – we also spotted a couple of familiar faces from Comhairle na Mumhan amongst the very large crowd of rowdy revellers!)

The craic was mighty at the hooley, with the wonderful Bobby Gardiner and musicians from the Comeraghs and several other branches providing many a lively tune to keep the toes tapping and the dancers fit. We definitely needed a bit of exercise to work off the earlier over-indulgence!  Conor Foran (Lawlor’s Hotel) served blaas with tasty gammons, sausages and rashers (provided by “Truly Irish Country Foods”) straight from the BBQ, along with a selection of dips, salads and grilled vegetables. Homemade ice-cream and chocolate brownies followed. Those who still had the energy after such a feast, took to the floor for a few sets. The rest of us sat back and watched enviously. All the time, the FLEADH BLAA smiled benignly from his vantage point at the top of the room.  Like the rest of us,  I bet he can’t wait for the Fleadh to come to town!

* (The Waterford Festival of Food will be held in Dungarvan, April 12th to 15^th)

Large Attendance at Munster Fleadh 2012 Public Meeting

Despite the appalling weather, on the night, we had a tremendous turnout for our Open Meeting on Nov 30th in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan. The information provided by Fleadh Chairman Michael Marrinan, supported by Tadgh Ó Maolcatha and Assunta Uí Chathasaigh from Comhairle le Mumhan, obviously hit the right note!  Chief Steward, Ben O'Gorman was kept busy taking details from members of the general public who were willing to volunteer assistance during Fleadh week. The Open Meeting followed a Fleadh Executive meeting where the various sub-committees reported much progress.

Ben O'Gorman, Chief Steward, taking details of Volunteers at the Open Meeting

First Impressions - advertising the Fleadh and Open Meeting, Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Nov 30th

Tadgh O' Maolcatha, Comhairle le Mumhan, Marianne Ryan Fleadh Secretary, Micheál Marrinan Fleadh Chairman, Assunta Uí Chathasaigh Comhairle le Mumhan at the Munster Fleadh Open Meeting, Park Hotel, Dungarvan, on Nov 30th

Dungarvan Shopping Centre provide major sponsorship for the Munster Fleadh

Dungarvan Shopping Centre joined the growing list of Fleadh Sponsors recently, when its management team presented Fleadh Chairman Michael Marrinan with a cheque for €1,000 as part of its Local Community Sponsorship Initiative. Speaking at the announcement of the Sponsorship, Dungarvan Shopping Centre Manager., Gerry O'Connor wished the Fleadh Committee and all the Volunteers every success in hosting such a prestigious event, and said that the Centre was delighted to be involved with such a fantastic organisation as the local host branch, Comeraghs Comhaltas.

GSK Dungarvan provide major sponsorship for Munster Fleadh

GSK Dungarvan were quick off the mark to show their support for Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan, presenting local branch Comeraghs Comhaltas with a cheque for €3,000 last weekend. Well done and many thanks to GSK for their support!

Marianne Ryan (Munster Fleadh Secretary), Gregor McNabb (Site Director, GSK), Micheál Marrinan (Munster Fleadh Chairman), Naoive Coggin (Logistics Director GSK), Noel Power (Munster Fleadh Finance), Michael Callaghan (H.R. Manager, GSK) and Mairead Fahey (Munster Fleadh Joint-Treasurer)

Fundraising Table Quiz is a great success

Thank you to all who attended our Mega Fundraising Table Quiz in the Gold Coast Golf Hotel. 


Over 30 tables took part in the quiz on the night and a great night was had by all.


Prizewinners were as follows:

1st Prizewinners at the recent Munster Fleadh Fundraiser Table Quiz in the Gold Coast Hotel. L to R: Tom Cox, Pauline Cox, Ben O'Gorman, Valerie O'Gorman

Quizmaster Bob O'Brien and Micheál McGrath from the Gold Coast Hotel with the 2nd prizewinners in the Munster Fleadh Fundraiser Table Quiz, Mairéad Fahey, Tomás Ó Gealbháin and Eimear Fahey

Quizmaster Bob O'Brien and Micheál McGrath from the Gold Coast Hotel with the 3rd Prizewinners, Scott Simons, Mary Marrinan, Maura Govers and Alice Fitzgerald 

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!