Thursday next is “Gathering Day” for the 14^th annual Fleadh by the Feale Festival, but already many music enthusiasts have arrived in the town, and a great many more are expected before the end of the week. They are here from all parts of Ireland as well as from England, America, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and various European countries. Hotels, guest houses and hostels are all reported fully booked, and many visitors are being forced to seek accommodation in neighbouring towns and villages, such is the demand for beds. (check out our local accommodation ads on right of home page for any late cancellations, or see Fleadh by the Feale web site)

The All Ireland Bone Playing Competition now receives world-wide attention and attracts participants from all parts of the globe. World champion, Steve Brown, is a previous winner, and competition between visitors and locals is usually fierce but fair. Expect plenty of fireworks on Monday night!

The Buskins competitions add a continental air to the town with crowds gathering on street corners to listen to the various groups of musicians and singers performing. It can be a delightful way to spend a couple of hours, particularly if the weather is fine. Incidentally, the smoking fraternity may feel that their pitches outside the various pub doors are now being invaded by non-smokers. They may be provoked into taking legal action to reclaim their territory!

Master Workshop Classes take place in the Convent Hall during the weekend, and these are run by a veritable who’s who of traditional musicians. These include; Concertina: Edel Fox. Fiddle: Geraldine Callaghan. Flute: Louise Mulcahy. Singing: Karen Walsh Trench. Banjo: Matt Griffin. Sean Nos Dancing: Edwina Guckian. Accordion: Padraig King.

These classes are normally booked out well in advance, but check with the Fleadh by the Feale committee for any late vacancies and avail of the opportunity of learning from these majestic maestros of music, song and dance.

There will be outdoor entertainment in The Square each evening on the stage erected close to Fr Casey’s Monument. Our Patriot Priest organized many notable Feile Ceoil Festivals in the town during his time in Abbeyfeale and must be proud to see the tradition being carried on so ably by the present generation of traditional music lovers.

The highlight for many will be the Sharon Shannon Concert in the Convent Hall on Sunday night. Sharon has developed an international reputation across all musical spheres including traditional, folk, jazz, blues, country, bluegrass, etc. She is currently at no. 1 in the Irish pop charts with “The Galway Girl” in collaboration with Mundy and helped, no doubt, by a very high-profile Bulmers ad on RTE.. Getting her to perform in Abbeyfeale was a major coup by the local fleadh committee, and a most memorable and enjoyable concert is being anticipated by all. (no pressure, Sharon.)

And, as we reported last week, The Van Trapp family of Sound Of Music fame will also be visiting the town this weekend. They are the grandchildren of the original George and Maria Van Trapp and perform all over the world. They may be persuaded to give an impromptu performance in some tavern or other during the course of the fleadh - so watch out for them.

And of course the publicans will be holding sessions in most of the bars all through the festival, with local and visiting musicians being put through their paces and being judged (perhaps critically) by a discerning Abbeyfeale audience reared on a veritable feast of fine Sliabh Luachra music. Expect a few lively polka-sets and Kerry slides, not to mention the occasional Siege of Ennis. (oh, to be young and foolish again.)

We hope that Fleadh by the Feale passes off peacefully and that everyone will enjoy the occasion and the craic, and that our visitors will carry home fond memories of their stay in Abbeyfeale.

Go n-eiri an bothar libh go leir!

HEINEKEN CUP

Well. Munster finally made it, but it was edge of the seat stuff over the closing minutes as Saracens threw everything except the kitchen sink at them.

Those who were there, said it was the longest ten minutes of their lives. Those who watched it in the pubs, bucked the smoking ban (they used a very different word) and puffed furiously on Majors and Silk Cut and Woodbines, sending up palls of smoke that must have caused irreparable damage to the ozone layer. Munster rugby is no longer a sport - it has become a religion and a way of life.

And so to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium, scene of our last great triumph. A few cute hoors had already booked flights, accommodation and tickets before the semi-final and are now feeling mighty smug. (a couple of them nearly wet themselves in Jack Rourke’s on Sunday evening before the referee blew full time)

Paddy Power goes 4/6 Munster, 11/10 Toulouse. However, in France, you would probably get the betting in reverse so, to all intents and purposes, it is probably an even money match.

More - much more- next week.

QUIZ:

Limerick West Ógra Fianna Fáil (Youth Branch) would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to and supported their table quiz held in Matt McCoys bar last Friday which raised over €800 in support of St Ita’s Housing and Day Care Centre. (See pics in Gallery.)
A sincere thanks to Councillor Francis Foley who helped organise the night and who acted as MC for the night and to all public representatives who attended on the night.
A further thanks to publican Thomas Mann and all the staff of Matt McCoys bar for hosting the event and generously supplying sandwiches and finger food at the interval.
Thanks also to the members of the committee of St Ita’s who attended on the night and to everybody who contributed spot prizes for the raffle.
Ógra Fianna Fáil would like to express their gratitude to all the members of the committee of St Ita’s for developing this wonderful facility in Abbeyfeale and wish them every best wishes for the future. Go n-éirí go geal leo.

DEATH

Sympathy is extended to the wife and family of local Vetinary Surgeon, Tom Collins, Main Street, who died recently. Tom was one of the founder-members of Abbeyfeale RFC.

RUGBY;

Abbeyfeale defeated Killorglin 11-3 in the North Munster U/18 Cup Final.

GAA;

Kerry footballers were beaten by Derry in the national league final. Limerick minors have qualified for the Munster semi-final against Tipperary. Fr Casey’s defeated St Senan’s by 1-12 to 0-7 in the opening round of the county championship. In the intermediate championship, Fr Casey’s defeated South Liberties by 3-13 to 0-3.