Robert Kindregan

Months of preparation into Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann culminated last week as Mullingar braced itself for the arrival of more than 500,000 visitors to the town.

Twelve months ago at Fleadh ’22, Westmeath’s Rachel Duff spoke of her excitement at being selected to represent her county in the Rose of Tralee.

Local media personality Sarah Jane Foster said she is “beyond excited” to be working on four live shows during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar for TG4.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is a “great promotion” for Mullingar according to Mayor John Shaw, who said the event will leave a lasting impression on the town for years to come.

Joe Connaire’s love affair with the banjo began when he was just 12 years old and would plant the seed for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann’s return to Mullingar many moons later.

At July’s full Westmeath County Council meeting, a proposal was put forward by Cllr Hazel Smyth, as Chair of the Planning and Transport Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), that the ‘rational use of pesticide policy’ be adopted by Westmeath County Council.

The Fleadh Executive Committee (FEC) has saved in the region of €260,000 between 2022 and 2023 by using the Cathedral of Christ the King for hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann’s Senior Céilí Band Competition.

Ciaran Clarke (29) from Rosemount has claimed the title of Westmeath Bachelor following a competition in the Arts Centre on Saturday night, 29 July.

Mullingar author Lorraine Murphy is to release her much-anticipated second novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, on 20 August.

The Mullingar Tra­veller community turned out in droves last week for a celebration of culture at the Grange Community Centre, Friday, 21 July.