Dungiven tunes up for County Derry Fleadh

With just two days to go until the opening of Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire, the event, which is being held in Dungiven by Jimmy O'Hara Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann Roe Valley, offers a packed schedule of events.

The official launch will take place in Owenbeg this Friday night (June 2) with an evening of music, song and excitement for the lead up to the festival which runs until Sunday, June 11.

All musicians are welcome to come along to the trad session, which will see the Fleadh officially opened by local musician Seamus O'Kane.

Children from GAA clubs throughout County Derry are also encouraged to attend wearing their club or school colours. Food and refreshments will be available during the event which starts at 7.30pm.

Lots of other events are planned to take place throughout next week, including a history heritage talk in Dungiven Library on Monday, June 5 at 7pm and an Irish language quiz in Gaelscoil Neachtain on Tuesday, June 6.

The festivities continue on Wednesday, June 7 with traditional singing and story telling with Dominic Bennett in St Canice's GAA Club at 8.30pm.

A celebration of music and dance takes place in Dromboughil Community Centre on Thursday, June 8. The showcase of local music, dance and heritage will take place at 7pm.

Friday, June 9 sees various events being held throughout the town including a céili in St Patrick's College in Dungiven at 7.30pm while Glór Hall will host a traditional singing session at 9.30pm.

A seisiún trail will take place in various local bars throughout the weekend, with all seisiúns named after late musicians from Dungiven and the surrounding area, including Francie Brolly, Willie James McElhinney, Packie Kealey, Jimmy Kelly, Jimmy O'Hara and Andy Murphy.

Next weekend will see fleadh competitions being held on both Saturday and Sunday in Gaelcholáiste Dhoire and Glór Dún Geimhin with musicians, storytellers and dancers competing on both days.

Fun at the Fleadh is guaranteed on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 with entertainment for all ages planned in the Main Street car park in Dungiven. On both days, the Mena Murphy Seisiúns will be held as part of the gig rig. The free event is open to all musicians and anyone who would like to perform is asked to contact a Fleadh committee member to secure their spot. The gig rig will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday.

Mental health charity Aware NI will be at the gig rig on both days doing a talk and representatives will be available if anyone wishes to speak in private.

An artisan market will also be held in the car park on Sunday with more than 30 food and craft stalls in attendance.

Later that evening at 8pm, Glór Dún Geimhin will be the venue for the Fleadh Concert. A fantastic line up guarantees a great night of music and song. Tickets to the concert are now on sale in local outlets and in the Glór hall. They can also be purchased on the opening night at Owenbeg.

Other highlights over the weekend include a pop-up Gaeltacht, a Fleadh Mass in St Patrick's Church Dungiven on Sunday, June 11 at 10am and later at 12.30pm, a Fleadh parade.

All GAA clubs, community groups and youth clubs across County Derry are encouraged to take part in the parade which will celebrate Irish myths and legends and will leave St Canice GAC car park and follow a route along the town's Main Street.

The Fleadh will come to a close on Sunday evening with various seisiúns taking place throughout the area.

Campervans are welcome to park in St Canice GAC car park or at the overflow car park at Glór hall. Toilet and shower facilities will be available at both venues. Accommodation is also available by contacting Glór.

A Fleadh programme detailing all the events taking place over the duration of the event will be on sale soon, priced at £5. All proceeds from the sale of the programme will go to Oakleaf Lions Special Olympics Club and Gaelcholáiste Dhoire.