2001 IRELAND

COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI EIREANN

COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI EIREANN was established by a group of traditional musicians in 1951, their aim being to promote and preserve Ireland's musical and cultural heritage which, at that time, was at a particularly low ebb. The inaugural Fleadh Cheoil, which was attended by only a few hundred people, was held in Mullinger in May of that year, but within a few years, the event had grown and today enjoys huge attendances. Comhaltas now has over 400 branches worldwide, holding 45 fleadhanna cheoil annually at home and abroad.