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FleadhTV is back for 2016 with lots of new additions...

15.06.16

FleadhTV is back for 2016 with lots of new additions…

Winner of ‘Best Live Event’ at the IFTA Gala Television Awards for 2015, FleadhTV, today announced its return to the screens of TG4 this summer. FleadhTV
will broadcast Live from 8.30pm to 11.30pm over four nights from Thursday August 18th to Sunday August 21st 2016 on TG4 as well as live on tg4.tv and fleadhcheoil.ie.

This year Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from Ennis looks set to be one of the most exciting yet. Presenters Lynette Fay and Cathy Jordan will be joined by two new hosts this year. TG4’s own Mairéad Ni Chuaig and legendary local Clare musician Tóla Custy.

2016’s series will see the addition to the show of a mobile camera crew who will be in a different Clare town each night – Bunratty Folk Village, Tulla, Ennistymon and Miltown Malbay. The main FleadhTV Festival site will be based on the grounds of the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis where a live audience of 1,500 people can enjoy all the show taking place right in front of their eyes.

In 2015, a huge 1.1million people tuned in to watch over the course of the four nights of FleadhTV from last year’s venue, Sligo. Traditional music is well and truly at the forefront of Irish television and TG4 are leading the way.

Lynette and Cathy are back again this year and have two new presenters joining them. Mairéad Ni Chuaig is a familiar face to TG4 viewers already. Mairéad said
today” I’ve grown up attending Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and it’s a beautiful celebration of our rich and vibrant cultural traditions. Tá mé ag súil go mór le hInis,
Hup!” “I’m over the moon to be a part of the FleadhTV team 2016 given this remarkable year with the celebration of the Centenary & TG4’s 20th anniversary.

Joining Mairéad will be local Clare musician Tóla Custy. On joining the FleadhTV team, Tóla said, “I will try to bring what I see going on all the time in County Clare, to a world audience, in a natural way on FleadhTV. I’m really excited to show you why this is a stunning place to live both socially and musically. I want to how how beautiful, normal and interesting this place really is.”

Commissioning Editor for TG4, Proinsias Ní Ghrainne said “Iscuid lárnach de chlásceideal an tSamhraidh ar TG4 é FleadhTV. Tá ríméad orainn go bhfuil snáth
tábhachtach breise á fhí isteach sa gclúdach sin i mbliana againn agus muid ag taifeadadh ar fud An Chláir ar cheol agus ar cheoltóirí ar fhód a ndúchais féin, léiriú lonrach ar shaibhreas an cheoil agus ar fhuinneamh an traidisiúin ann.

“FleadhTV has now become a staple of the TG4 summer schedule. We are delighted to introduce an exciting new element to our coverage of this year’s Fleadh this year by filming in various locations in the heartland of music throughout Co. Clare, capturing and conveying that unique sense of place and vibrant musical heritage.”

Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh, Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee said “FleadhTV is one of the most exciting and innovative developments at Fleadh Cheoil
na hÉireann in recent years. We are thrilled at the prospect of broadcasting quality music, song, dance and stories live on TV, not just to a national audience but
streamed to our growing legions of followers around the world.

“The concept of Sharing Clare has been developed to ensure that the cultural and natural beauty of the entire county is showcased during Fleadh week. We really hope that the FleadhTV audience of over one million will revel in the very best of what Ennis and the rest of Clare has to offer during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Inis 2016”. Fleadh Cheoil Inis 2016 is in association with Shannon Airport and runs from August 14th to 22nd 2016.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Mairéad Ni Chuaig is one of the friendly faces of “An Aimsir Láithreach” on TG4, where she works alongside a creative and fabulous team. As an experienced
television presenter, she has been involved in media for a number of years. Mairéad is an adventurer who has travelled the world alongside her friend Gavin filming Wwoofáil, an IFTA nominated travel series for TG4. She has just returned from Australia.

Tóla Custy hails from Toonagh in County Clare and, although travelling the world many times has never lived anywhere else. His father, Frank was the local primary school teacher and also inspired many people to play traditional music. Names such as James Cullinane, Siobhan Peoples, Sharon Shannon, as well as Tóla himself all owe their musical beginnings to him. Having so many who make music their daily ritual in the one place music has been a friend to Tóla since he was able to walk.

Tóla first cut his teeth by making the album “Setting Free” with bouzouki player Cyril O Donoghue in 1993. He then teamed up with the Moynihan Family from County Cork and,along with bouzouki player Pat Marsh, formed the group “Calico”. Two well acclaimed albums followed in 1997 and 1999. Next, in 1998 came a live recording with “The Bowhouse Quintet” (a classical/traditional ensemble). A musical partnership with Piano accordion player Mirella Murray soon formed and, in 2001 the album “Three Sunsets” was made. Later Tóla made various musical collaborations with Piano accordionist Alan Kelly and his brother John. Many albums and concerts followed.

Recently he has been working and touring with the group “Guidewires” taking his musical influences to Greece, Macedonia and Bulgaria. The past year has seen him team up with the always evocative Laoise Kelly.This month sees the release of “Tradivarious”, a collaboration with fellow fiddlers: Dezi Donnelly, Cathal Hayden and the powerhouse that is Ed Boyd and John Joe Kelly. He has, on occasions, had the opportunity to share stages with people such as Heidi Talbot, Donogh Hennessy, the group Grada, Arty Mcglynn and Eddi Reader. In 2010 he had the opportunity to collaborate with Kora player Solo Sissoko and guitarist Gerry O’Beirne which culminated in a performance in the National Concert Hall. Tóla has also dipped into primary teaching, from time to time and enjoys sharing and developing the process of music in both children and adults. He also teaches to the students Studying Traditional music in the world academy of Irish music in University of Limerick.