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)