Sligo Fleadh Cheoil, Ireland 1991

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann organisers in Sligo say that the festival is now bigger and better than ever.

It is estimated that between eighty and a hundred thousand people will visit Sligo over the weekend of the marking 40 years of the Fleadh and the foundation of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Set up in Mullingar in 1951, Comhaltas has grown to become a national and international movement, with over 400 branches overseas sending representatives to Ireland each year for the Fleadh.

The competition has this year attracted 3,500 competitors in 128 competitions taking place in 16 different venues around Sligo Town. Tom Roddy, Chairman of the organising committee, talking to Eileen Magnier commends the high standards of this year’s competitors. 1991 was the third year in a row that Sligo has hosted the Fleadh.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 August 1991. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.