Ratoath, Ashbourne play host to Meath Fleadh

Ratoath and Ashbourne this weekend host the annual Meath Fleadh Cheoil, showcasing the best of Irish traditional music, singing and dancing. The weekend's activities begin with a session of music and singing in the Venue Theatre in Ratoath, at 8.30pm on Friday 14th May. The set dancing competitions will take place at 9pm. Saturday will feature a night of singing in the Donaghmore-Ashbourne GAA clubhouse, from at 9.30pm. The night will feature the best of traditional songs in both Irish and English from some of Ireland's best traditional singers. In addition, a traditional music session is planned for Foxes Pub, Ashbourne, from 9.30pm. Sunday will see all the music and singing competitions in all ages and in all instruments take place at Ashbourne Community School and Gaelscoil Na Cille. The competitions will feature solos, duets, trios, bands and groups as well as marching bands and will commence at 11am. These competitions are held annually to determine who goes forward to represent Meath in the Leinster finals to be held in Dunleer, Co Louth, in July this year and ultimately to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to be held in Cavan town in August. First and second in each competition will carry Meath's hopes in the Leinster Fleadh. Meath is particularly strong in traditional music with many All-Ireland winners in the county and no doubt Sunday's competitions will be the start of the same journey for many more. The standard is always very high and adjudicators usually have a difficult task in determining the medal winners. The county fleadh is the highlight of the year for many of Meath's young musicians. The hard work by pupils, teachers and parents alike over the past eight to 10 months is all focused on this weekend as a stepping stone to both provincial and all Ireland success. The Ashbourne branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was formed 15 years ago and is recognised as one of the strongest in the country. Many well-known musicians such as Antón MacGabhann, Catherine McEvoy and Hughie Grogan all live locally and are active in teaching and promoting music among the young people of the area. They all play active roles in the local Comhaltas branch and many of their pupils from the earlier years of the branch are carrying on the good work with music classes of their own. For more information on the Meath Fleadh, contact Jimmy Carolan on (087) 265 4416.