The first tranche of events taking place at the Summer’s Fleadh in Mullingar has been unveiled, with a stellar line-up of traditional Irish music set to take over the town from 31 July to 7 August.
Sunday 31 July
Kicking the festivities off on Sunday 31 July, one of the world’s most celebrated fiddle players Martin Hayes will join the Common Ground Ensemble at the Cathedral of Christ the King for an evening that will set the pace for the week.
Monday, 1 August
On Monday, 1 August, County Clare’s button accordion supremo Sharon Shannon will perform at the Cathedral of Christ the King, for an evening to remember.
Separate musical events taking place on Monday, 1 August include Fourwinds (St. Paul’s Church) and BRISTE (Mullingar Arts Centre).
Tuesday, 2 August
On Tuesday, 2 August, The Bridge Céilí Band will perform at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Formed in 1970, the group has won the Fleadh Cheoil Céilí Band competition six times.
The Meitheal Orchestra will perform on the same evening in St. Paul’s Church. The award-winning soloists, the best five-piece group and the 140-piece orchestra finale will be performing the latest suite by Co. Mayo composer, Ernestine Healy will have the audience on the edge of their seats.
Described as ‘Dazzling’, ‘unorthodox and unique’, Breaking Trad will take to stage on the same evening at 8.30pm for a performance of reviving Irish music with a fresh and modern twist.
Virtuoso Damien Mullane will take to the stage at Mullingar Arts Centre at 10.30pm for an evening to remember. Damien has toured extensively, performing as far afield as China, Australia, New Zealand, India and the U.S in some of the worlds most prestigious venues including Slane Castle, The Electric Picnic and Glastonbury.
Wednesday, 3 August
Siblings Caoimhe, Séamus and Rónán Ó Flatharta (Clann Uí Rhallaghaigh) will perform at The Band Hall in Mullingar Business Park on Wednesday, 3 August along with The Kinsella Family.
On Wednesday, 3 August, Roscommon based Gatehouse will perform at St. Paul’s Church for an exciting blend of flute, fiddle and song.
Traditional band Teáda will be joined by accordion player Séamus Begley and Glasgow-based Imar for an evening to remember at Cathedral Christ the King at 7pm.
The four-piece of Eleanor Shanley, Dave Sheridan, Padraig McGovern and John McCartin (Garadice) will have the crowds moving when they perform at Mullingar Arts Centre at 8.30pm
The popular and multi-award-winning quintet Goitse will perform at Mullingar Arts Centre on the same night at 10.30pm to showcase their music ensemble, once described as “brimming with energy and creative zeal.”
Thursday, 4 August
Westmeath’s own Mick Foster and friends will be reeling in the showband years at The Band Hall on Thursday, 4 August at 5.30m.
Galway-native Seán Keane and Mullingar’s own Emmet Cahill will perform at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Thursday, 4 August in what is likely to be an music experience like no other.
The Shaskeen Céilí Band will take to the stage at Mullingar Arts Centre on the same night, showcasing their engaging material which they have developed over 50 years.
From the Clogher Valley region of County Tyrone, The Blackwater Céilí Band will take to the stage in Mullingar Arts Centre at 10.30pm. ince their formation in 2015, the band have risen to prominence and are widely recognised as one of the finest exponents of Irish Traditional Music.
Friday, 5 August
Carlos Sweeney McCartin will take over the Band Hall in Mullingar Business Park on Friday, 5 August, for an energetic evening of “rambunctious” music.
The haunting music of Anúna will take over the Cathedral Christ the King on Friday, 5 August. The group was founded in 1987 by Irish composer Michael McGlynn under the name An Uaithne, taking the current name in 1991. The group has recorded 17 albums and achieved a high level of international success, including a significant role in Riverdance from 1994 to 1996.
Later that evening, the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra will perform at St. Paul’s Church. The Orchestra was first formed by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the late 1980s and has always attracted the most gifted young Irish musicians and singers.
Natives of Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, The Mulcahy Family will perform at Mullingar Arts Centre at 9.30pm. Mick, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy will play a dazzling array of instruments, in a show not to be missed.
Saturday, 6 August
One of Ireland’s most accomplished and sought-after bands in Irish Traditional Music today, FullSet will take to the stage at The Band Hall in Mullingar Business Park on Saturday, 6 August at 7.30pm. The young and exciting group creates a sound that is full of energy & innovation, whilst all the time remaining true to their traditional roots.
The world-renowned Kilfenora Céilí Band will perform in the Cathedral Christ the King on Saturday, 6 August. The iconic group are seen by many aficionadoes as the quintessential Irish céilí band. Their core repertoire of dance music, puntuated with an incomparable lift and rhythm, defines an unbroken tradition that dates from the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Mannion Family will be joined on stageat Mullingar Arts Centre by three-in-a-row All-Ireland Champions Shandrum Céilí Band for evening of exiting music.
Colm Keane, Colin Nea, Seamus Tierney and Darren Breslin will perform at St. Paul’s Church at 8pm for an evening of music to remember.
Sunday, 7 August
Closing festivities on Sunday, 7 August will be Alternative Folk band Moxie. The group have travelled the world including a state visit to Vietnam, festivals and tours through the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. Their performance in Mullingar Arts Centre will no doubt be the perfect end to an unrivalled line-up of music!
Further events for Fleadh ’22 are set to be unveiled over the coming days and weeks.
For a full line-up of events, and to purchase tickets, see www.fleadhcheoil.ie/events
