Calls made for the return of All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil to Tipperary

A solid case proposal should be made for the towns of Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel to host the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil.

That was the suggestion made by Cllr Niall Dennehy at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

He said it would be breaking with tradition to have three host towns instead of one but there were many fantastic venues in Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel to facilitate events.

READ NEXT: Tipperary Fire Service Station Officer retires after 19 years

He said that attendances of up to 600,000 attended the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and it was worth €60 million to the host venue.

Cllr Dennehy said it would require an amount of planning and support by all the stakeholders. It would bring the community together to promote the region, and promote tourism.

SEE MORE: Late goals secure Peter O'Reilly Cup soccer success for Rosegreen

He was speaking in the wake of the County Fleadh Cheoil, which was held in Clonmel recently. He congratulated the Powerstown/Lisronagh branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for organising the event.

Clonmel successfully hosted the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil from 1992-1994, and again in 2003 and 2004.

The Mayor, Pat English said that the County Fleadh Cheoil had been a tremendous success for the town, which was a hive of activity over the weekend.

He said that great credit was due to everybody involved in its organisation, including the Powerstown/Lisronagh branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and all of the council staff, who had really got involved. The good weather had also been a big help.

Cllr English said it could be possible for Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose congratulated all those who had received Gradam awards, which recognise artists, groups and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music, song and dance. They included a posthumous award for the late Eileen Boland, who did so much for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Powerstown/Lisronagh.

Cllr Ambrose said it was great to see so many young people involved in the County Fleadh Cheoil.

She was pleased to note that the council had also supported the event, as it did with so many other festivals.

Cllr John FitzGerald said it was like old times to see the gig rig at the Main Guard on O’Connell Street. The Fleadh was a great success and he complimented all the volunteers involved in its organisation.

He said that the council’s financial contribution should also be acknowledged.

Cllr Richie Molloy said that the performances on stage at the gig rig at the Main Guard had brought people into the town. He suggested that signs would be placed on the car parks around the town so that visitors could locate them.

District Administrator Carol Creighton said that she was chasing funding to have signs provided at the car parks.

She complimented the council’s indoor and outdoor staff, who had worked very well with the organising committee at the County Fleadh Cheoil.

The town had been very vibrant and active for the weekend and she said it would be capable of accommodating the All-Ireland Fleadh.