A huge team effort has been underway in the Annebrook House Hotel over the last number of months to prepare for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Duty Manager Séamus Dunne said chefs, bar staff, waiters, porters, and everyone in between have all pulled together to make the festival even more of a success than in 2022.
“It’s absolutely fantastic for Mullingar to have the Fleadh here and we’re doing our very best to make the most of it before it’s gone. It really puts us in the shop window and is a great advertisement for the town,” he said.
“We’ve got lots of recurring business from last year, a lot of realised what we have to offer, how good our nightlife is, the accessibility, the culture and history and the general aesthetic of the town – we have it all.
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback of the Fleadh from people who have visited us last year and we need to keep those same standards high and give people something that they’ll want to return to.”
Séamus praised the volunteer committee behind the event for their endless hours of hard work and the staff in Westmeath County Council who kept the streets clean for giving visitors such a good impression.
He said that business was fantastic last year for all traders in Mullingar, and he and his team have their fingers crossed for similar success this year.
“Last year we were in the unknown, we didn’t know what to expect, but business was fantastic, and the good weather helped. Everyone will have learned from last year and will be more prepared now for round two.
“From Wednesday onwards last year we were dealing with very large volumes of people, that’s when it really picked up, and traders will be expecting the same again.
“There’s huge costs involved in putting on everything we have planned this year so hopefully, fingers crossed, we will get the crowds – which I am sure we will,” said Séamus.
The Annebrook House Hotel have lots planned for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023, including the town’s smallest bar, the Guinness Centre, and endless live music.
“We will have four venues on our grounds for the week, including Berty’s Bar, our main hotel bar, which will mostly be for food – carvery and bar food. Food will be served every day of the Fleadh,” said Séamus.
“We’ll have a marquee out the front of the hotel and there’ll be barbeques there too and live music all week, even during the day, and a face painter. There will be an open stage there for any musicians to pop up.
“As well as that, we have Bóthar Bar down from the Wednesday onwards. It’s Mullingar’s smallest bar and can only fit 13 people! It’s a bit of craic and adds a bit of novelty to the Fleadh.”
The Annebrook House Hotel’s main attraction will be the Guinness Centre, a large live music venue located in the old Dunnes Stores building facing onto Pearse Street.
Live music of all genres will be playing in the centre when it opens from the Wednesday onwards, including Some One’s Sons, The Broken Pokers and more.
