Newport Hills Alive With Traditional Music

Newport branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, which has a strong tradition in music and song are all set for the, this weekend. In excess of 400 contestants will compete in the various competitions on Saturday with a further 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on Sunday.

County Fleadh, Newport

Mass in Irish will be celebrated on Sunday at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Newport at 12.00 noon.

In excess of 400 contestants will compete in various competitions on Saturday with an expected 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on the following day Sunday.

The weekend’s programme will begin with a music session at Birdhill this evening and continue right through until Sunday evening, when the final competitions come to an end in various venues in Newport. The official opening of this County Fleadh will take place in Lee’s Bar on Friday night and will be officially opened by Tadgh O’Maolcathaig, latter Chairman, of the Munster Council CCE.

Traditional composer Denis Carey of  ‘An Turas’  and ‘Moving On’ fame and a native of Newport, is also launching a book of his compositions at this year’s event. Denis is well known, having been commissioned in the past to write new works for the GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, Limerick City Council, North Tipperary County Council, Shannon Heritage and Limerick Institute of Technology. Denis was also co-composer of the music for the soundtrack of the Canadian movie “The Divine Ryans” which featured the English Oscar nominee Pete Postlethwaite OBE, latter who died of pancreatic cancer on January 2nd 2011.

Also on Sunday competitions for 15-18 years and Senior Fleadh Competitions will be held in St Mary’s School, Newport starting at 2.00pm sharp, while Ceili and Set Dancing Competitions will also take place in the Community Hall, Newport from 2.00pm.  The Tipperary Youth Ensemble will perform on the street beginning at 5.00pm, weather permitting.

Note: Admission to all events, other than the competitions, will be free and it is hoped that as many people as possible will come out and support this truly traditional event.