New York Fleadh Cheoil In Pearl River This Weekend

The New York Fleadh Cheoil organized by the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann is moving to a new locale this year in Pearl River where it has been based for the past five years. The Pearl River Middle School at 520 Gilbert Avenue will host the annual music competition that qualifies competitors for Scoil Eigse and the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (fleadh2008.com) to be held once againg in Tullamore, County Offaly over August 17th-24th.

On Saturday, April 12 starting at 10 a.m. the doors will be open to the public to attend the solo music competitions in a variety of instruments associated with traditional Irish music with singing competitions also.

Sunday, April 13 will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. onsite before the competitions get underway. After Mass the schedule will feature all the duets, trios, Groupa Cheoil and Ceili Band competitions concluding with the Senior Ceili Band competition around 6: 30 p.m. on Sunday which is shaping up to be a lively competition with four entries in training from Boston to Baltimore. Sunday will There will be food and refreshments available in the school cafeteria on both days and admission is $10 which goes to supporting the New York Fleadh.

In addition this year, the reigning Senior All-Ireland Ceili Band from 2007, the Allow Ceili Band from County Cork is making a special guest appearance at the New York Fleadh. They will be featured at the Saturday evening Ceili Mor at the Clarkstown Reformed Church in West Nyack (Strawtown Road) from 8 p.m. to 12 Midnight (Admission is $20 includes tea, coffee and snacks). For information on the ceili contact 845-359-6047.

A music session anchored by the Galway duos of Mike Rafferty and Joe Madden will also begin around 8 p.m. at the Orangeburg Holiday Inn (off Route 303) which is the designated Fleadh hotel.

For full details on the Fleadh including a schedule and directions contact Fleadh Secretary Terry Rafferty at 201-288-4267 or visit nyfleadh.com.