Connacht Fleadh 2023 Programme

Friday 23rd June

  • 5:00 pm

     

    Session Trail

    5pm-7pm, Hogan’s Bar, O’Rahilly St: Máirtín O’Donnell & Michael O’Rourke

    7pm-8.30pm, An Bolg Buí, Bridge St: Mark O’Donnell & Aodán Cronin

    7pm -9pm, Rouse’s Bar, Pearse St: Rouse’s Traditional Group

Saturday 24th June

Sunday 25th June – free events, all welcome

  • 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

  • 5:30pm

     

    Uilleann Pipes and Harp Ensemble Performance with Music Generation Castlebar

    Venue: Merry Monk

    Time:  5:30pm

  • 6:30p.m.

     

    History of Uilleann Piping in Co Mayo with Historian Michael Kelly

    Venue: Merry Monk

    Time:  6:30pm

  • 6.30pm

     

    Session Trail

    The Merry Monk, Killala Road: Green Grove Group

Monday 26th June

  • 8:00pm

     

    Cúpla Focal Club with Traditional Music Session

    Venue:  Rouse’s Bar, 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 underage challenge

    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

    €20 per table, all welcome!

  • 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

     
  • 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

    Dr Labhrás O’Murchú, Ard Stiuthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, will perform the official opening of the Connacht Fleadh and Fleadh an Phobail – Community Fleadh, in the Ballina Arts Centre on Fri June 30th at 7.30pm.

    Performances on the night 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

  • 9:00pm

     

    Killala Bay Folk Club comes to Ballina

    Dé hAoine 30ú Meitheamh / Fri June 30th

    Killala Bay Folk Club comes to Ballina to celebrate as part of the Connacht Fleadh Festival.

    Songs, Poetry, Storytelling –  All welcome to enjoy and participate.

    Start Time:  9pm

    Venue:  Arkle Lounge, Rouse’s Bar

  • 9:00pm

     

    A night of music in The Merry Monk

    A fabulous night of music awaits with Laura Jo Callaghan, the Tiernans and Cathal & Darren Culliney and Kyle Hampson in The Merry Monk from 9pm.

    Free entry.

Saturday 1st July

  • 8:00am

     

    Ballina Farmer’s Market

    The regular Ballina Farmer’s Market will take place in Market Square all day on Saturday, alongside the Gig Rig festivities.

  • 10:00am

     

    Connacht Fleadh Competitions

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    All competitions except dancing, will take place in St. Mary’s Secondary School, Convent Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 YXC7
    Dancing competitions take place in the Old Convent Hall, Convent Hill, Ballina, which is close to St. Mary’s Secondary School, F26 R928
    However, we are advising people to follow the road signs and instructions from stewards, rather than the postcodes as this should make parking easier.

    Open to the public and all welcome. Admission: Adults €5, children €3

  • 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

  • 1:00pm

     

    Pop-Up Gaeltach Cearnog an Mhargaidh

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Pop-Up Gaeltach Cearnog an Mhargaidh – Market Square
    Caint, ceol agus deis do mhunitir na Gaeilge casadh le cheile ag Fleadh Chonnachta – Drop by

  • 2:00pm

     

    Busking Competition

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Town Centre

    2pm

  • 2:00pm - 7:00pm

     

    Fleadh Gig Rig & Marquee

    Dé Sathairn, Iúil 1ú / Sat July 1st

    Market Square, Ballina

    Gig Rig Running Order

    2:00pm:   Aodán Cronin & Finéinn Quinn – accordion, bodhrán & fiddle

    2:30pm:   Mayo Teenage Trad Group (ages 15 to 18)

    3:00pm:   Glór na dTonn Céilí Band

    3:30pm:   Peter Fox Cómhrá Ceoil – accordion, banjo, concertina

    4:00pm:   Pat Fox  – tin whistle & vocals

    4:15pm:    Caoimhe Kearins and Chris Maguire – fiddle and box and vocals

    4:45pm:   Pipers Cross Céilí Band

    5:15pm:   Angela and Caroline Deane & Lorraine Williams – whistle, bodhrán and vocals

    5:45pm: Kate, Paddy & Sal Heneghan – harp, uilleann pipes, fiddle & vocals

    6:15pm:   Cathal & Darren Culliney & Kyle Hampson accordion, fiddle, piano & whistle

    6:45pm:   Lissadell Céile Band full céile band

    7:15pm:    Seoid – accordion, banjo, flute and guitar

    Please note that this line-up is subject to change. 

    In the Marquee:

    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 demonstration

    Wood-turning demonstration and class with Willie Creighton.

  • 5:00pm onwards

     

    Session Trail

    5-6.30pm, Paddy Mac’s, Garden St: Caoimhe Kearins & Chris Maguire

    6-8pm, An Sean Sibín, Abbey St: The Deane Family

    9-11pm, Katie’s Corner, Abbey St: The Lissadell Céilí Band

  • 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 Pádraig Egan

    Venue:  Twin Trees Hotel

    Time:  9pm

    Admission €12 at the door

Sunday 2nd July

  • 9:00am

     

    Competitions at Connacht Fleadh

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    All competitions except dancing, will take place in St. Mary’s Secondary School, Convent Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 YXC7
    Dancing competitions take place in the Old Convent Hall, Convent Hill, Ballina, which is close to St. Mary’s Secondary School, F26 R928
    However, we are advising people to follow the road signs and instructions from stewards, rather than the postcodes as this should make parking easier.

    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

    Market Square, Ballina

    Gig Rig Running Order

    1.45pm:   Eamonn Walsh – uilleann pipes

    2:00pm:  The Green Grove Traditional Group

    2:30pm:   Laura Jo Callaghan – banjo, guitar and vocals

    3:00pm:    Cathal & Darren Culliney & Kyle Hampson – accordion, fiddle, piano & whistle

    3:30pm:     Séadna O’Donnell & Niamh Mulhern – uilleann pipes

    4:00pm:    Louise Langan – vocals

    4:30pm:    Martin O’Donnell & Michael O’Rourke – guitar, fiddle and vocals

    5:00pm:    Bofield Senior Musicians

    5:30pm:    Ards CCÉ traditional group from Ards, Co. Down

    6:00pm:    Finéinn Quinn – bodhrán supremo and fiddle

    In the Marquee:

    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 demonstration

    Vintage Car Display

    Meet the Mayo ICA Federation

    The Strawboys

    Dunderry High Nellie Cycle Club with Gus Martin

    Music on a Carpenter’s Saw with John Moran

  • 2:00pm

     

    Handball featuring Bofield GAA All-Ireland champions

    De Domhnaigh, Iúil 2ú / Sun July 2

    Venue:   St. Muredach’s College

    Time:  2pm

  • 7:00pm

     

    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

    Location: The Point (green area at Riverslade, at the intersection between Sligo Road and Quay Road

    Time:  7pm

  • 8:00pm

     

    Session Trail

    8pm – 10pm, Hughes’ Bar, Tone St: Marty Hughes & Family

  • 8:00pm

     

    Gala Finale Session - The Merry Monk

    Featuring Ards CCE with local and visiting musicians.

    The Merry Monk, 8pm – 10pm. All welcome to round off a wonderful few days of music!