Mayo town selected to host inaugural Community Fleadh

There was jubiliation in Ballina this week as the town was selected to host the first ever Community Fleadh in addition to running the Connacht Fleadh competition.

The four provincial Fleadhanna this year were invited to make an application to host a Community Fleadh as a pilot scheme.

The idea is to invite other organisations in the community to be part of the Fleadh and showcase their organisation or club, to include the GAA, Macra na Feirme, Irish language groups, sporting organisations, arts and crafts groups, folklore organisations, historical tour groups, museums, etc.

In a letter to the Connacht Fleadh committee, Comhaltas adjudicators expressed appreciation to the four procincial Fleadhanna 2023 who submitted applications and participated in the Commiunity Fleadh project.

“Having given careful consideration to the four applications,” they continued, “with particular emphasis on the community concept involving other community organisations, we are pleased to announce that the Connacht Fleadh in Ballina has been chosen for the 2023 pilot scheme.”

The Comhaltas Fleadh community team plans to consult with all four provincial councils with a view to advancing the project further in 2024.