Connacht Fleadh 2023 Programme

Friday 23rd June

  • 8.00pm

     

    Session Trail

    Venue: Various different venues around Ballina

Saturday 24th June

Sunday 25th June

  • 2:00pm

     

    The Making of a Set of Uilleann Pipes with John Butler

    Venue:   Merry Monk

    2pm – 3pm

  • 3:00pm:

     

    Try-out the Pipes with Na Piobairi Uilleann

    Venue: Merry Monk

    3pm – 5pm

  • 6:00p.m.

     

    History of Uilleann Piping in Co Mayo with Historian Michael Kelly

    Venue: Merry Monk

    Time:  6pm

  • 7:00pm

     

    Uilleann Pipes and Harp Ensemble Performance with Music Generation Castlebar

    Venue: Merry Monk

    Time:  7pm

Monday 26th June

  • 8:00pm

     

    Cúpla Focal Club with Traditional Music Session

    Venue:  Rouse’s, Pearse Street

    Time:  8pm – 9:30pm

Tuesday 27th June

  • 10:30am

     

    Croagh Patrick Climb

    Dé Máirt, 27ú Meitheamh / Tue June 27th

    10.30am: Depart Ballina for Croagh Patrick climb.   Special Fleadh rate: €10pp return.

    Limited spaces available.

    Contact:  Treacy Coaches to book your place Tel: 086-3993003

  • 6:00pm

     

    Kilmoremoy Ladies Minor Challenge Match

    Dé Máirt, 27ú Meitheamh / Tue June 27th

    Venue:  Ballina Stephenites

    Time:  6pm

  • 7:30pm

     

    Ballina Stephenites v Knockmore Senior Men

    Dé Máirt, 27ú Meitheamh / Tue June 27th

    Challenge Match

    Venue:  Stephenites

    Time:  7:30pm

  • 9:00pm

     

    Deel Macra na Feirme Quiz night

    Dé Máirt, 27ú Meitheamh / Tue June 27th

    Venue: Ballina Stephenites Club House

    Time:  9pm

  • 9:00pm

     

    Singing Club

    Dé Máirt, 27ú Meitheamh / Tue June 27th

    Venue:  Merry Monk (Upstairs)

    Time:  9pm

Wednesday 28th June

Thursday 29th June

  • 3:00pm

     

    Master Classes & Recital with Bríd Harper and Dermot Byrne

    Déardaoin, 29ú Meitheamh / Thurs June 29th

    Master Classes with Bríd Harper and Dermot Byrne followed by a recital featuring Bríd and Dermot. Limited spaces available.  Tel: 087-2775317

    Venue:  Ballina Arts Centre

    Time:  3pm – 5pm

  • 8:00pm

     

    Tribute Night with Bríd Harper and Dermot Byrne

    Déardaoin, 29ú Meitheamh / Thurs June 29th

    Tribute night in memory of recently departed musicians- Peter Gallagher (accordion), Mick Shannon (fiddle), Michael McCarrick (guitar) and John Cosgrove (accordion/guitar/singer).

    Bríd Harper and Dermot Byrne will give a short concert followed by a gala session featuring local and visiting musicians.

    Venue:   Merry Monk

    Time:  8pm

Friday 30th June

  • 11:00am

     

    Field Trip to Céide Fields

    Dé hAoine 30ú Meitheamh / Fri June 30th

    Field Trip to Céide Fields (New Exhibition 2022) returning via Downpatrick Head and Lacken.

    Boots not required but strong walking shoes recommended for Downpatrick Head.  Field trip led (Ballina – Céide Fields – Ballina) by Prof Séamas Caulfield who has been involved in Céide Fields research since 1963.

    Approx 5 hours.

    Start Time:  11am

    Special Fleadh rate: €10pp return. Limited spaces available.

    Contact Treacy Coaches to book your place   Tel:086-3993003

  • 7:30pm

     

    Official Opening of Connacht Fleadh

    Dé hAoine 30ú Meitheamh / Fri June 30th

    Official opening of Connacht Fleadh with performance featuring local musicians who entertained President Biden at Enniscoe House during his official State visit – David Calleary (Uilleann Pipes), Aileen Bourke (Concertina), Conor Maheady (Flute), Alannah Thornburg (Harp) & Caoimhe Kearins (Fiddle).

    Venue:  Ballina Arts Centre

    Time:  7:30pm

Saturday 1st July

  • 10:00am

     

    Connacht Fleadh Competitions

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Connacht Fleadh competitions in St Mary’s Secondary School & Old Convent Secondary School

  • 10:00am

     

    Musical Instrument Showcase

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Musical Instruments showcase in St Mary’s Secondary School

    Time: TBC

  • 12:00pm

     

    Historical Tour of Ballina with Terry Reilly

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Historical Tour of Ballina – A walk in the past.

    Guided by local Author and historian, Terry Reilly, former Editor “Western People”.

    Meeting point Ballina Library

    Time:  12pm

  • 2:00pm

     

    Busking Competition

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Town Centre

    2pm

  • 2:00pm

     

    Fleadh Gig-Rig & Marquee

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Market Square, Ballina

    Featuring Árds CCÉ including local and visiting musicians

    Set-dancing with Oliver Fleming

    Fun introduction to Sean-Nós dancing with Tommy Stenson where everybody is invited to learn a step.

    Boxty and potato cake making with Marjorie Morrow (Marjorie’s Kitchen). Marjorie is a contributor to a weekly cookery page in “Ireland’s Own” magazine.

    Wood-turning demonstration and class with Willie Creighton.

  • 7:00pm

     

    Try Rowing with Ballina Rowing Club

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Try Rowing with Ballina Rowing Club at the Kennedy Glasgow Centre at the Quay.

    Contact Pat O’Brien: Tel:087-2540334

    Time: 7pm

  • 9:00pm

     

    Padraig Egan Memorial Céilí

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Memorial Céilí with the Swallows Tail Céilí Band, in memory of Padraig Egan

    Venue:  Twin Trees Hotel

    Time:  9pm

Sunday 2nd July

  • 9:00am

     

    Competitions at Connacht Fleadh

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Venue:   St. Mary’s Secondary School and Old Convent Secondary School

    From:  9am (check timetable for individual competition details)

  • 10:00am

     

    Musical Showcase

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Venue:   St. Mary’s Secondary School

    Time:  To be Confirmed

  • 11:00am

     

    Fleadh Mass

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Fleadh Mass  featuring local Comhaltas musicians and guest soloist “Dana”

    Venue:  St Muredach’s Cathedral

    Time:  11:00am

  • 2:pm

     

    Gig Rig & Marquee

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Market Square, Ballina

  • 2:00pm

     

    Handball featuring Bofield GAA All-Ireland champions

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Venue:   St. Muredach’s College

    Time:  2pm

  • 7:pm

     

    Fly-casting Demonstration on River Moy with Paddy McDonnell

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Fly-casting Demonstration on River Moy with Paddy McDonnell

    Time:  7pm