Fleadh Season Rolls Around

Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 4:14 PM

Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 6:08 PM

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FOR traditional music to survive and be passed on to the next generation, it takes a dedicated core of teachers who are willing to give of their time and talent to help young students learn. Thankfully these are not in short supply or devoid of energy and commitment based on a couple of upcoming events that I am aware of.

Once again the New York Fleadh is rolling around again in its firmly rooted home of Pearl River, New York just outside of New York City and Northern New Jersey at the Pearl River High School. Hundreds of entries will have a chance to show off their well-honed skills and tunes under the direction of a number of teachers who feel that this music competition helps give students the incentive to learn to play and have fun with their peers.

It also serves as a qualifying Fleadh for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (www.fleadh2007.com) in Tullamore, Co. Offaly over the weekend of August 24-26 where hundreds more from Ireland, Britain, U.S. and elsewhere will gather for the Scoil Eigse (summer school) in the week leading up to it.

The fleadh competitions are open to the public who are encouraged to come along and see the tide of rising talent who will take the music into the next generation. Solo competitions are scheduled on Saturday, June 2 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. while the duets, trios and Grupai Cheoil and ceili band competitions are scheduled for Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. immediately after the 10 a.m. Fleadh Mass at the Pearl River High School.

In addition, there will be Ceili Mor on Saturday evening from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Clarkstown Reformed Church on Strawtown Road in West Nyack to help support the fleadh with music provided by the Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band.

Simultaneously a music session will occur at the fleadh hotel, the Holiday Inn in Orangeburg from 8 p.m.-midnight led by the venerable Mike Rafferty and Willie Kelly. The Holiday Inn is located near the intersections of Orangeburg Road and Route 303 convenient to Exit 6 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Full details available at www.nyfleadh.com or by contacting 845-735-1204.

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