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June 17th, 2008

Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire is over for another year, and what a great weekend it was. The weather was in our favour this year, leading to lots of music on the streets and generally a great buzz in Dungiven on Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery section is full of photos capturing some of the best moments from the Fleadh from Wednesday right through to Sunday. Congratulations are in order for our winners from the Fleadh competitions in the school. A comprehensive list of the winners who will proceed to Fleadh Uladh in Castlewellan can be downloaded here.

June 6th, 2008

The Fleadh is now well underway, with two successful performance nights already had. The Fleadh Youth Night was a perfect collection of all aspects of the culture which we hope to promote with a weekend such as this. Our youth Comhaltas members performed a wide variety of tunes, as well as songs, recitals, dances, mouth whistling and lilting. By all accounts, the night was very enjoyable, and let's hope that this is an element of the Fleadh which will become a tradition.

Thursday night's opening concert in Benedy Community Centre followed on a similar structure to last year's, with a mixture of old and new acts. Amongst others, there was entertainment by the Mulholland family, Nollaig Brolly, and Seamus O'Kane and friends. The night concluded with the exceptional talent of musical trio Brendan Mulholland, Brendan Hendry and Paul McSherry, who called upon renowned local singers Maranna McCloskey and Nollaig Brolly to lead the audience in singing The Gem Of The Roe.

The night was significant for one Seamus O'Kane, who was presented with the 'Seamus O'Kane Cup' by the Fleadh Committee chairperson, Mena Boyle. The Fleadh committee were glad to get an opportunity to honour one of the key figures in the sustaining of musical tradition in Dungiven and further afield. The perpetual trophy will be awarded to the winner of the 12-15 Bodhran competitions at Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire.

Photographs of both events have already been uploaded to the gallery section.

May 24th, 2008

The running order for competitions for 7th June can now be downloaded here. Due to the high number of entries, an extra adjudicator has been called in for the morning session (10am - 1pm) for bodhran competitions only. These competitions will start promptly at 10am, therefore all participants should take care to be punctual.

May 18th, 2008

The deadline for Fleadh competition entries has now passed, and we are unable to accept late entries. The list of entries for this year's competitions is impressive, and we wish all competitors the best of luck.

May 4th, 2008

The official programme of events has been announced for the weekend. The launch night, which was held in Dungiven Castle on Friday 2nd May was a great success, ending with a seisiún mor which saw the return of some of the musicians and singers who were in attendance at last year's Fleadh. Photographs of the night can be viewed in the gallery.

The What's On page has now been updated with the full programme of events for the Fleadh. Besides all of the events of last year, there have been some additions to the programme, and perhaps most notably, the Fleadh Youth Scheme. This comprises several events organised especially for the youth contingent. Organised by a sub-committee of younger Comhaltas members in county Derry, this will include a Fleadh Youth Night on Wednesday 4th June. The night promises to be entertaining and unmissable as the county Derry Comhaltas junior branch members take to the stage, along with some guest dancers. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Preceding the Thursday night Opening Concert, this youth initiative is sure to be a true showcase of the high volume of musical talent in the county. Proceedings will be followed by a seisiun in which the audience is encouraged to take part. (Don't forget to bring your instruments.) There will also be a Youth Ceili Workshop on Friday night in St. Patrick's College, Curragh Road, to which everyone is welcome, even those who have never ceili danced before.

Sunday, as usual, is a family day, and it is hoped that following on the success of last year, an even bigger crowd will take to the streets on floats and in fancy dress. Once again, prizes will be awarded to the best efforts. Weather permitting, the streets should be filled with the sound of jigs and reels after the parade as everyone is encouraged to bring the seisiuns outside.

Accommodation enquiries are being directed to committee member Tricia McCloskey (contact details are available here)

April 19th, 2008

The Fleadh Launch Night will be held on May 2nd in Dungiven Castle. The press and local dignitaries are invited to attend this evening as the official schedule for the weekend is announced. All musicians and singers, as well as the general public, are welcome for a seisiún afterwards at 9pm.

February 26th, 2008

Preparations are well underway for this year's Fleadh and the committee has been elected (click here for more details.) The committee wish to remind everyone that the 21-day rule will be implemented again for competitors at the competitions on Saturday 7th June, and so the closing date for entries is 17th May.

February 17th, 2008

Welcome to the official Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire 2008 website. Dungiven Comhaltas Branch are delighted to be hosting the event for the second consecutive year. Check back here for regular updates and important information about competitions and other events.

This year we have also made it possible for competitors to register via online registration forms which we hope will uncomplicate the process for the Fleadh committee and the entrants .