Bebo

Following on the success of last year, Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire will be held in Dungiven for a second year from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th June.

After breaking almost twenty years of its absence from the town in 2007, the volunteer based organising committee are gearing up to make the traditional music, song and dance event an even bigger affair in 2008, which should see the town buzzing once more with crowds coming from near and far.

This year a committee of upcoming traditional musicians have extended the Fleadh another day to add a new youth dimension to festivities. Wednesday will see the Fleadh kick start with a new Fleadh Youth Night, showcasing talent in the youth contingent of the Derry Comhaltas branches.

After the success of the Céilí Mór at last year’s Fleadh, there will also be a Youth Céilí Workshop for all on the Friday night in St. Patrick’s College.

The all-important Fleadh competitions are again being held on Saturday in St. Canice Primary School, where musicians from across the county will compete for their place in the Ulster Fleadh in July. Competitors must register before 17th May at www.fleadhderry.com or through their local Comhaltas branch.

All of last year’s events return for Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire 2008, including the popular opening night concert on Thursday 5th June in Benedy Community Centre, which will again bring to the stage talented traditional singers, dancers and musicians from the county and further a field.

Like last year, the Céilí Mór and singing sessions will take place on Saturday night, alongside the inevitable energetic and spontaneous seisiúns, with sounds of reels and jigs floating out of the pubs and on to the streets.

Sunday is sure to be another memorable family day out, and competition will be stiff amongst fancy dressers and float builders as they parade the streets from 2.30pm and contend for great prizes. Main Street is sure to be alive with the sound of music as musicians take to the streets for outdoor seisiúns and dancers gather for an open air céilí at the Gig Rig from 4.30pm onwards.

There will also be another singing session on Sunday evening to round off what will no doubt be another memorable county Fleadh in Dungiven. The official Fleadh website (www.fleadhderry.com) will have regular updates and all the info needed as the Fleadh weekend approaches.

There’s only one place to be on the first weekend in June: Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire in Dungiven!