The annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All Ireland Fleadh) was in Wexford Town in Ireland’s sunny southwest this year. Eleven current Center for Irish Music students (and a couple alums!) made the trip to Wexford (Loch Garman in Irish) the first week of August to take part in classes, competitions, sessions, concerts and general fun at the 2024 event.
It’s been six years since the Coleman family was featured in the Clare Echo at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis, when the Center for Irish Music represented Minnesota for the first time en masse with two ceili bands, and one grúpa cheoil at an international-level level. This year, CIM parent and volunteer Kelly Scanlan, chatted up the owner of Just Books bookstore on Pierce Street, making the headlines once again, this time in the Westmeath Examiner. The story of Americans coming to a small Irish town to experience traditional Irish music at the fleadh is both compelling, and entertaining.