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Outstanding Success For Munster Fleadh In Roscrea:
An outstanding success, that was the general consensus of Fleadh na Mumhan in Roscrea which concluded on Sunday night last.
Thousands of visitors came to Roscrea over the weekend to enjoy the Fleadh. There were competitions at nineteen venues, mainly at Colaiste Phobal, with Temperance Hall hosting the accordion, mandolin, mouth organ competitions on Saturday, Racket Hall Hotel the senior sets on Friday night and Damer Court Hotel the junior sets on Sunday. An attractive 160 page programme gave full details on all the competitions.
The Fleadh week commenced on Monday night last with an interesting lecture on the Placenames of Tipperary by Padraig O Cearbhaill. Tuesday night was the Oiche Gaelach, with a concert in the Abbey Hall, featuring Roscrea Junior Comhaltas and the Tipperary Youth Ensemble. At the concert prizes were presented to the winners of the schools Art Poster competition and the Limerick competition.
Over 500 people thronged Damer Court Hotel on Wednesday for the launch of John Browne's book, Remembering Yesterday, Living Today. Tadhg Maher officially launched the book. It was an evening of music, song and poetry. Roscrea Comhaltas featuring Cian and Conal Hanamy, Roscrea Folk Group, Roscrea Community Choir performed, as did the Mountain Folk, Roisin and Caoilinn Putti, Joe Cashin, Ryan Family and Patricia Hayes, Majella, Shauna and Kathryn Browne and Fiana Ni Chonaill. Kathryn Browne recited one of John's poems, The Brown Hare of Templebeg while Nigel Quinlan recited” The Munster Fleadh and pen Fitzgerald recited A Quiet Retreat, both by John also. Four songs composed by John which appear in the book were sung. Conor Taaffe sang The Village of Shinrone, while the Mountain Folk sang All Dressed Up Tadhg Maher himself sang My Rose of the Midlands and The Bells of St.Cronans. Pen Fitzgerald, on behalf of Cloughjordan Writers Group and Rev.Janet White Spunner paid tribute to John. Pat Flanagan was M.C. Roscrea Seniopr Grupa Cheoil rounded off a memorable evening. At the Munster Fleadh on Sunday Tadhg sang The Bells of St. Cronans to victory in the Newly Composed Ballads section.
Thursday night saw a lecture on uileann pipe making by local man Jim Winham. Friday morning TippFM broadcast from Roscrea between 12 and 2 pm. Fleadh Chairman Pat Flanagan and PRO Liam Doran were interviewed and there were musical contributions from junior Comhaltas under the direction of Lucy McCarthy. On Friday morning there was also a Slide and Polka playing workshop with Billy Clifford at Colaiste Phobal.
That night saw the official launch of the Fleadh. There was a walking tour of the historic sites led by piper Joe Barry, and Daphne Hastings gave a talk at each site. The official launch followed. Uachtaran CCE, Seamus McCormack spoke as did Labhras O Murchu, Ard Stiurthoir,CCE, Tadhg O Maolcatha, Munster CCE Cathaoirleach ; Pat Loughman, Tipperary CCE, Cllr Denis Ryan, Mayor of North Tipperary, John Guilfoyle, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Seamus Mullaney, Chairman of Roscrea Credit Union, main sponsors. Mr Pat Flanagan, Fleadh committee Chairman, welcomed the guests. A presentation was made to Mr.McCormack to mark his first official visit to Fleadh na Mumhan. That night there was a ceili in Damer Court Hotel and out at Racket Hall the first of the set dancing competitions took place.
One of the highlights of the Fleadh was the GIG RIG which was at Castle Street over the weekend. This was organised by Tadhg Maher. It commenced on Friday night with Roscrea Junior Comhaltas, followed by Tipperary Youth Ensemble, and Ceoltoiri na Sionnaine.
Saturday afternoon commenced with Camross Comhaltas. Then came Roscrea Senior Ceili Band and after them the winning street entertainment group. “On Saturday morning there was a street entertainment competition. This was won by Wandering Minstrels from Camross. Runners up were Cupla Clairseach agus Cairde from Roscrea, and third were another Camross group, Mountain Dew.
The Kupolo Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Edmonton, Alberta captivated audiences for over an hour on Saturday afternoon with their colorful costumes and splendid dancing. It was a wonderful insight into the culture of the Ukraine. Certainly a performance that will long live in our memory. The other groups taking part on Saturday were Mol an Oige, Limerick Youth Group, Tipperary Youth Ensemble, Ceoltoiri na Sionnaine, Five Counties Ceili Band.
Sunday had the Kinsella family, Catherine Middleton and Guinan family, Templemore pipe band, Brendan and John Collins; Nora Butler,Hugh Quinn, Tomas Quinn, Michael Curran etc; Sliabh Mish, from Kerry; Diabhlaoicht, from Tipperary; Anam, from Kerry; and Templeglantine, winning senior Ceili Band. Bru Boru rounded of a wonderful weekend with a spectacular performance that ran late into the night.
Thanks to all who ensured that the Munster Fleadh in Roscrea would be a great success. To Coughlans for the use of the lorry for the weekend. To Liam Fox and Joe Deegan,Kilcormac, for their help with the dance platform, and to John Carroll and his great team for erecting and taking down the platform. Thanks also to Leslie Evans for facilitating the use of the Masonic hall for the Kupolo dancers to change.
Colaiste Phobal was a great headquarters for the Fleadh and its classrooms and gym hosted many of the competitions. The organising committee are deeply appreciative of the use of the magnificent facilities there.
Thanks also the Parents Council who looked after the car parking at the school. To Damer Court Hotel , Racket Hall Hotel, and Temperance Hall who also hosted competitions. Thanks to all who responded to the appeal for stewarding, to the members of the Lions Club, Killavilla United , RCDC, Brian King and his team, and the many individuals who gave so generously of their time. To all the ladies who helped out with catering at the school; To our main sponsors, Roscrea Credit Union, and all who supported our fund raising events over the recent months.
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