The Avoca Wicklow Miners Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) is set to make history as it hosts the County Fleadh for the first time. Comhaltas CCÉ is an organization that promotes traditional Irish music and culture, and the County Fleadh is a celebration of the best of Irish traditional music, dance, and song from across Wicklow. This year’s event promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience, as the Avoca Wicklow Miners CCÉ welcomes musicians, dancers and spectators from across the county and beyond to showcase their talents and celebrate our rich cultural heritage.
The Avoca Wicklow Miners CCÉ has been selected to host the prestigious Wicklow County Fleadh Cheoil for the first time. This news is expected to be a massive boost to traditional Irish culture in the area. The historic festival will feature the best musicians, singers and dancers from around the Garden County, competing for a place at the Leinster Fleadh to be held in Dublin in July 2022. Wicklow has more than 500 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) members, with over 350 of those under the age of 17, ensuring that the popular trad festival will inspire a new generation of musicians in Avoca and beyond.
Established in 2017 by Lar Harper, James Lambert, Dinny Quigley and current Chairman Mike Nesbitt, the festival represents a significant milestone for the fledgling Wicklow Miners, which have been steadily growing their membership since the group’s inception. Speaking on the monumental achievement, a beaming Mike Nesbitt praised his fellow Wicklow Miners, stating that the festival would have a tremendous impact on the future of traditional music in the region.
For a small branch and committee like theirs, hosting the Fleadh is a fairly huge deal, with the festival presenting a unique opportunity to showcase their talent. The Wicklow Miners is a relatively new branch, with a total of eight established branches across the county. The Wicklow Miners’ five fantastic teachers welcome students every Saturday to teach them how to play a variety of musical instruments.
At the informal gathering and music session at the Avoca Community Hall on April 1 from 2.30 to 5 pm, musicians will be invited from all the branches from Wicklow and the surrounding areas to drum up excitement before the Fleadh. This gathering is not just for Comhaltas members, but any local musician, whether they’re intermediates, beginners or advanced musicians.
Secretary of Wicklow Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Tracey Maguire congratulated Mike and the Wicklow Miners CCÉ on the landmark achievement, stating that it’s great to have a new branch host the festival, and she couldn’t wait to see how it boosts music in the area.
All Wicklow Comhaltas members and traditional music enthusiasts can look forward to amazing times as branches like Wicklow Miners blossom and the Leinster Fleadh comes back to the county for the first time since 2009.
In conclusion, the Avoca Wicklow Miners CCÉ is more than just a group of musicians, they are the heart and soul of the community. Their passion for Irish music is infectious and their dedication to preserving the tradition is inspiring. The fact that they are hosting the county Fleadh for the first time is a testament to their hard work and commitment. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing them showcase their talents and culture in the most unique way possible. If you ever have the chance to attend one of their performances, don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed.
