Connacht Fleadh gets underway in County Roscommon

This year’s Connacht Fleadh is underway in Strokestown, and the local community has been working hard over the last few months to have the town prepared for the event.

John Keane, Chairperson of the Connacht Fleadh 2024 committee in Strokestown explained that a huge amount of preparation had gone into getting Strokestown ready for the Fleadh.

“In excess of 2,000 competitors will be here over the three days, from the dancing on the Friday to senior competitions on the Sunday. It’s become a huge event, the provincial Fleadh,” he told the Roscommon Herald.

“There’s a very small committee from the local Strokestown Comhaltas branch, who’ve done a huge amount of work in getting venues ready and finding accommodation and making sure all of our visiting judges and people from Connacht Comhaltas, and Comhaltas at a national level, stewards and other people are looked after over the three days of the competitions,” he added.

“We’re hoping that as many people in County Roscommon and beyond will support the different events that are on every evening during the week,” said John.

“Obviously accommodation is a big challenge, but we’re really grateful for the support from the different premises and people around Strokestown that have been able to help us out and make sure we have accommodation.” Mr Keane praised Scoil Mhuire secondary school and the Strokestown Community Centre committee for help in making the Fleadh happen. “It wouldn’t happen without them in terms of venues for the competitions. Strokestown House is also a fantastic venue for the community element of the fleadh. It’s great working with the local publicans as well, to make sure that anyone that is staying in Strokestown will have the chance to hear top class Irish music from the west of Ireland.” Mr Keane also thanked Roscommon County Council and the elected members of the council for their support in making the Fleadh a possibility.

Meanwhile, Senator Eugene Murphy said that for the third week in a row County Roscommon will play host to a live music bonanza.

The Scramogue native noted that this week and particularly the coming weekend would see Strokestown come alive with a fantastic programme of traditional live music.

“Following the recent Shannonside/Northern Sound Day with the Stars in Roscommon Town, the Night and Day Festival in Boyle and now the Connacht Fleadh heading for Strokestown, the economy of County Roscommon is benefiting massively from the music scene,” he said.

Senator Murphy paid tribute to the Strokestown Comhaltas group who had done enormous work to make the Connacht Fleadh a massive success and more importantly an enjoyable event for the region.

“There are a lot of free events and some amazing concerts organised and this is great news for the public,” he said.

“I know the town of Strokestown and the surrounding area will give a big welcome to all visitors to the town. People are looking forward to good music and good weather.

“It will definitely bring visitors to the area. When you get to Strokestown, there is lots to do such as visit Strokestown Park House, hill walking on Sliabh Bawn, and visit the areas of Elphin and Tulsk where there is significant attractions such as Rathcroghan and the Elphin Windmill,” he advised.

“I look forward to a very positive weekend once again for the economy of County Roscommon, this time the Strokestown area the beneficiary,” he said.