Councillors keen to see Galway make a bid for Fleadh
COUNCILLOR David Collins is calling on Galway County Council and Galway City Council to work together on a joint bid to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Galway.
The Fleadh is the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. Qualifying competitors from all over the world come every year to showcase the very best of traditional music talent in All-Ireland competitions.
Outside of the competitions, the multi-day cultural festival also includes various other activities promoting everything Irish, such as street sessions, marching bands, concerts, pageants, Irish language events and exhibitions.
“We have an incredible traditional music community right across Galway,” said Turloughmore Cllr Collins, who believes the strength of traditional music at grassroots level across the county can provide a strong foundation for a successful bid.
“My own parish Lackagh Comhaltas is a fantastic example. Founded in the late 1970s, it continues to flourish today, with more than 900 members playing and learning music in the community every week.
“That is the type of grassroots musical tradition and community involvement that makes Galway such a natural fit for the Fleadh. From our towns and villages to the city itself, we have a huge depth of musical talent, community spirit and enthusiasm for Irish culture.”
The Fleadh has successfully been hosted in locations including Sligo town in 2014 and 2015, Ennis in County Clare in 2016 and 2017, and Mullingar in County Westmeath in 2022 and 2023.
It was held in Belfast last week, with the city welcoming over 1million visitors across the eight-day festival. Such was its success that Belfast has already been awarded next year’s Fleadh.
The last time the event was staged in Galway was 1955, when the Fleadh came to Loughrea. Cllr Collins and his Fine Gael party colleague, Galway City Councillor Shane Forde, believe it’s time both local authorities to submit a joint bid to bring it back to Galway.
2030 Fleadh Bid
“Galway city and county have everything needed to host an event of this scale, and I would like to see both councils work together towards a future bid, potentially for 2030,” stated Cllr Forde.
“Seeing what has been achieved in Belfast during this year’s Fleadh has really shown the scale of the opportunity. If Galway is serious about its ambition to be Ireland’s cultural capital, then we need to be prepared to go after major events like this."