This weekend the sound of traditional music will echo throughout the hills and valleys of South Fermanagh when Newtownbutler branch of Comhaltas host the 2007 Fermanagh Fleadh.
Its five years since the Fleadh was last hosted in the town and preparations are well underway with a feast of traditional music song and dance throughout the town.
This years Fleadh will begin on Thursday night 7th. with a novel idea with the un-veiling of a large cut stone chair which will act as a land mark in the town for many years to come.
The chair is one of 27 to be un-veiled over the next few months throughout the Clones Erne East Area and been funded through the Clones Erne East Partnership, a body made up of elected representatives from the Clones Council area and the Erne East electoral ward in Fermanagh. The seat will also see a time capsule sealed on the night containing the local newspapers of the week and photographs of the locality as well as the Fleadh poster and booklet.
The un-veiling on Thursday night will be followed by the launch of a Photographic Exhibition in Newtownbutler community centre. Entitled "The Rich Musical Heritage In Our Community" it will take a look at half a century of Comhaltas activity throughout Fermanagh, a commemorative Fleadh Journal comprised of songs of Fermanagh will also be launched on the night.
Friday night will begin at 8.00pm with a Mass in St. Mary's Church for deceased members of Comhaltas. Friday night will also see an opening Céilí in the Parish Hall with music by Ardmore Céilí Band with special guest Eamonn Graham, Ulster Council Vice chair, who will officially open the Fleadh.
Saturday morning will see the competitions in Duets, Trios, Grupai Cheoil's and Céilí bands begin at 10.00am in the Parish hall and the Irish Language competitions take place in the community Centre also beginning at 10.00am. The community centre will be the venue once again on Saturday night for a Session M?r beginning at 9.00pm.
Sunday morning St. Mary's Primary School is the venue for competitions in all Solo competitions starting at 10.00am. Sunday afternoon will see the band parade take place from the Parish Hall to the GAA grounds on the Lisnaskea road. The closing Céilí and Old Time on Sunday night will take place in the Parish hall with music by Country Cousins. Sessions will take place throughout the weekend and with fine weather the traditional street sessions will be in abundance.
A Cead Mile Failte awaits you in Newtownbutler throughout the Fleadh if you are a lover of tradition music and if you play it bring along your instrument for a weekend of fun.
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