The World Fleadh

With Castlebar, Co. Mayo confirmed as this year’s host venue, preparations are well under way for The World Fleadh, Ireland’s Traditional Folk & Celtic Music Festival running 31st July – 8th August, with top Irish and international names in the line up. After the outstanding success of the 2008 festival in Portlaoise, The World Fleadh returns with headlining acts including the Saw Doctors, Sharon Shannon, Shane Mac Gowan, Moving Hearts and Damien Dempsey. Some of Ireland’s best loved trad musicians are coming together in an a one-off celebration of traditional super group De Dannan, led by world renowned fiddle player and original member of the group, Frankie Gavin. This exclusive event will also feature Mary Black & Dolores Keane in addition to other past members, and will signal the launch of a new De Dannan line-up led by Frankie Gavin. Legendary Country stars Randy Travis, Martina Mc Bride, Hal Ketchum & Georgette Jones are all lined up for the mammoth music event also. 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, céilís, music, song and dance master classes, workshops and demonstrations, a scheduled session trail, world title competitions, a world food & craft fair, a late night festival club and a variety of other fringe entertainments to cater for all tastes and ages. Festival organisers are delighted to announce the brand new location of Castlebar, Co. Mayo which will host the event between July 31st and August 8th 2009. This year’s festival in Castlebar promises to be a longer event with a greater schedule of activities, with events taking place in venues including The Linenhall Arts Centre and the 2,200-seat, newly-built Royal Theatre & Events Centre, which will host the Fleadh. Pat Jennings the Managing Director of the Royal Theatre, Castlebar stated how he is looking forward to hosting the festival, "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."