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Fifteenth fleadh tops its predecessors for variety and energy
THE pubs and footpaths of Abbeyfeale were overflowing for the bank holiday weekend as the 15th Fleadh by the Feale took place.
A crowd of thousands was drawn to the town between Thursday night and Monday evening for dozens of performances, competitions and exhibitions of traditional music and dance.
Maureen Murphy of the Fleadh by the Feale organising committee said that it was a "hectic weekend, but a brilliant one": "It was very, very hard work but it was worth it. Every year we say that this year's festival was the best one yet, but I think there was something very special about this year. There were so many different styles and standards of music at the seisns in the pubs. There really was something for everybody.
"The Fleadh by the Feale is one of the biggest traditional music events in the country, and people come from Italy, France, Holland and Germany and even America to see it."
The highlights of the weekend included Friday's street busking competition and the headline performance on the main stage on Sunday evening by roots and bluegrass group Four Men and a Dog.
"That performance was incredible," said Ms Murphy. "The energy and variety was something we'd never seen before in Abbeyfeale."
One of the most popular annual fixtures of the Fleadh by the Feale are the All Ireland senior and junior bone playing championships. This year's junior event was won by John Ford from Ballaugh, Abbeyfeale, while the senior event on Sunday night drew a tremendous crowd to the main platform, and saw competitors from Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Clare and the United States.
Last year's runner-up Paddy Donovan from Ardagh claim the top prize. Last year's winner David Murphy from Ballaugh came second, with Catherine Flavin from Monagea third.
Ms Murphy said that all the variables fell into place for the local music enthusiasts and businesses of Abbeyfeale over what was a wonderful weekend: "Anyone passing through the town would have been mesmerised by the music on both sides of the street. We were very lucky with the weather - for all the open air performances the only rain we had was on Saturday night. But the crowd still stayed and the performances were wonderful."
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Weather for Limerick
Thursday 09 February 2012
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