RTÉ announces pitch perfect partnership with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

RTÉ has partnered with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Comhaltas as the official media partner to support Ireland’s largest celebration of traditional music, culture, song and dance.

31st July – 8th August, 2022 | Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

After a two-year hiatus, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann makes its momentous return to the town where it all started – Mullingar in Co. Westmeath. To mark this special Homecoming, RTÉ has partnered with the Fleadh from 31st July – 8th August as official media partner to celebrate the world’s largest festival of Irish music, song, dance, agus comhrá gaeilge.

RTÉ’s support of the 2022 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is in line with its vision to champion Irish culture by captivating audiences and celebrating Ireland’s rich diversity. As part of this collaboration, RTÉ will support Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with an extensive marketing campaign across broadcast, social and digital platforms. The campaign will span across RTÉ’s television and radio channels as well as on rte.ie.

RTÉ will also bring the craic agus ceoil to everyone around the country with a range of radio programmes live from Mullingar across the Festival week. Ray D’Arcy will kick off celebrations with a live broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 on Tuesday 2 August. This special Fleadh-themed programme will be a chance for Ray to host a myriad of Fleadh all-stars including local legacy acts, headline performers along with some of the Fleadh’s world-class competitors. On Friday 5 August, RTÉ Radio 1’s The John Creedon Show will join the celebrations with a live broadcast from the town. John Creedon will also be out and about during the week in Mullingar filming a new television programme for RTÉ television which will air later in the year.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta has a partnership with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that goes back decades, and they are delighted to be there again this year to broadcast live from heart of the action. On Thursday 4 August and Friday 5 August, Binneas Béil will be presented by Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha live from the RTÉ RnaG roadcaster, An Ródaí, in the heart of Mullingar, and they’ll be back with more great live music and interviews for the listeners on Saturday afternoon too.

Don’t miss RTÉ Radio 1’s Céilí House with Kieran Hanrahan who will be broadcasting live from the GigRig on Saturday 6 August at 9pm. Céilí House will also be recording the All Ireland senior Céilí Band finals on Sunday 7 August for later transmission. Plus lots of other musical recordings from Mullingar will feature in Céilí House programmes throughout August

Director General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes said: “It is great to see the return of this wonderful celebration of traditional music, culture, song and dance to Mullingar and RTÉ is delighted to be there. We are looking forward to being part of what is a unique showcase of Irish music and culture. Best of luck to all the competitors and performers who are coming to Mullingar from all over the world and congratulations to our partners in Fleadh Cheoil and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for putting together such an impressive programme this year.”

Joe Connaire, Chairman of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Executive Committee said: “We are pleased to partner with RTÉ as the Fleadh returns to its roots in the town Mullingar Co. Westmeath. By aligning these two brands, we are fulfilling our joint commitment to sustaining and enriching Irish life with a celebration of the Irish language and traditional music”. He went on to say: “Organisers have been working towards this week for the last six years. The two-year setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic has made us even more determined to make sure this is one of the biggest, best and most celebratory Fleadh Cheoils ever!”.

***Some programme highlights include;

Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble, Sharon Shannon, The Bridge Céili Band, Daithí Gormley, Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh, Téada, IMAR, Seamus Begley, Sean Keane and Emmet Cahill, Anúna, Kilfenora Céili Band, Damien Mullane, Moxie, Èadaoin, Four Winds, Meitheal Orchestra, The Blackwater, Breaking Trad and The Full Set to name but a few.

The most important events on the Fleadh line-up are the 150 competitions where people from all over the world compete through music, song, dance and Comhrá Gaeilge. For more information about the concerts or to buy tickets visit fleadhcheoil.ie/events. The event will feature two ‘Gig Rigs’ in the town, lots of street performances and cultural events in various venues throughout the town including Scoil Éigse, a school that provides workshops, lectures and sessions during the week of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

***About Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 

• Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance is making its return after a two-year hiatus and is expected to draw nearly half a million visitors.
• Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will take place in Mullingar from 31st July – 8th August 2022.
• Thousands of people are expected to visit Mullingar and its surroundings for the important Irish culture event.
• 2022 is a true homecoming celebration for Mullingar as it’s the town where Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was founded in 1951.
• The event is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and will be hosted in Mullingar by the local Fleadh Executive Committee with the association of Westmeath County Council.
• Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is kindly supported by Fáilte Ireland and Hidden Heartlands who promote the infinite variety of things to do for all ages in the heart of Ireland. With Mullingar being at the centre of this unique location, organisers of the Fleadh are encouraging guests to take in some of the sites while in Westmeath for the celebrations.

#TheHomecoming #Fleadh22