With Castlebar confirmed as this year’s host venue, festival preparations are well under way for the World Fleadh International Irish and Celtic Music Festival with many top international names in the line-up. After the outstanding success of the 2008 festival in Portlaoise, the World Fleadh returns with a fantastic selection of Irish traditional, Celtic, folk, and country music acts from around the globe.
Headlining acts so far include the Saw Doctors, Sharon Shannon, Shane MacGowan, and Damien Dempsey. Traditional super group De Dannan, led by world renowned fiddle player Frankie Gavin, are also performing a one-off reunion concert at the event which will make for a very unique celebration. This year’s festival in Castlebar promises to be a longer event with a greater schedule of activities and the of the Royal Theatre in Castlebar is a major plus. Pat Jennings, managing director of the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, said he is looking forward to hosting the festival and two gala award events: “This is a great opportunity for Castlebar to be chosen to host the World Fleadh and with our long standing history and love for Irish traditional music, we feel that the event is well matched here in the west of Ireland.”
For Irish traditional and country music lovers the festival offers an exciting array of events. The festival will comprise theatre, outdoor and large scale concerts, céilis, music, song and dance master classes, workshops and demonstrations, a scheduled session trail, world title competitions, a world food and craft fair, a late night festival club and a variety of other fringe entertainment’s to cater for all tastes and ages. For more information check out the festival website www.theworldfleadh.com for updates and ticket information.
