Listowel Fleadh Cheoil, Co Kerry, Ireland 1974

Traditional music lovers head to Listowel for the Fleadh Cheoil.

Festival goers set up camp in the town Park Listowel, County Kerry. With an estimated 20,000 visiting the town during the Fleadh Cheoil hotels and guest houses are booked out, with the camp site accommodating the overflow.

Impromptu music sessions on the streets.

Throughout the festival, there are impromptu musical sessions around Listowel. The event presents a boom time for the town with many national and international performers and fans visiting.

There is a more serious side to the Fleadh where musicians and performers compete for All-Ireland titles. Labhrás Ó Murchú, organiser of the Fleadh says that it is essential that the culture of Ireland is seen to belong to the entire community.

Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The first Fleadh Cheoil was held in 1951 in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 August 1974. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.