Offaly Fleadh and Gathering event in Kilcormac
Kilcormac’s joint Fleadh and Gathering celebration kicked off two days ago, but there’s still lots to look forward to before the party ends on Sunday. Ballyboy CCE is hosting this weekend’s Fleadh Cheoil Uibh Fhaili in Kilcormac, and they have been joined by the Kilcormac Development Association to make it a double celebration including a Gathering event.
Festivities began on Wednesday with a session in Dan and Molly’s in Ballyboy, while yesterday saw singing and traditional sessions hosted in Gracelands and Feighery’s pubs.
Today (Friday) will include a teddy bear picnic for children in the town playground at 5pm at a cost of €1 per child, a treasure hunt from 6.30pm to 7.30pm with a Fleadh/Gathering theme from St Joseph’s Community Centre at a cost of €10 per team of four and finally the official launch of the festival at 8pm in St Joseph’s Community Centre. After the official launch tonight sessions will take place in all pubs with guest musicians.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Fleadh competitions will get underway at 11am in Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic. At the same time there will be guided long and short walks at Lough Boora Parklands for adults (€1) and families (€3) who meet at The Birdhouse.
A sports day for children will take place from 3pm until 5pm at the GAA field at a cost of €1 per child or €5 per family. Then at 6pm there will be a vintage theme parade from the GAA field depicting rural life both past and present.
On Saturday evening a bilingual Mass will be celebrated at 7.30pm with music and singing by Ballyboy CCE.
An Irish trad group music competition will take place in participating pubs from 9.30pm, with prizes of €300, €150 and €50 on offer and open sessions to follow.
Competitions will continue on Sunday morning at all venues from 11am. A street festival including a country market, trade stands and entertainers will take place between 4pm and 8pm, with the Main Street closed for the duration of that event.
An open mini-busking festival competition will take place from 4pm, with entry of €10 per group and cash prizes available on the day. An open air ceili and outside music sessions will take over at 6pm, while at the same time a live broadcast of Midland 103’s “Coppers and Brass” will take place in Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic. At 9pm music will begin in all pubs to wrap up the event.