A new television documentary to be screened next week goes behind the scenes of the hugely-successful Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann held in Derry earlier this year to follow the the country’s most talented traditional musicians as they set out to fulfill their dreams of becoming an All-Ireland champion.
Lorcán MacMathúna (left) and Martin Tourish.
Over 400,000 people visited the City of Culture during Fleadh week in August, the first time in its history the celebrated festival of music was held in the North.
“Fleadh,” to be screened on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday next 3 December at 10.35pm, offers viewers backstage access to the historic event as director Sean McGuire follows some of the musicians hoping for All-Ireland glory on the long road to Derry.
The programme features up and coming composer Lorcán MacMathúna as he works with the people of the city to create a signature piece of music, commissioned to mark the opening of the Fleadh.
Throughout the summer, the programme charted the progress of a number of performers as they competed against hundreds of other hopefuls – first on a county level, then at a provincial level, in the hope of winning through to the main event – the All-Ireland Fleadh.
Viewers will also get to meet Una, the young saxophonist who brings her own unique style to the traditional music she loves.
Also featured are the McKennas, a family steeped in traditional music whose seven talented children play an extraordinary range of instruments, banjo player Tomas Quinn, who nearly didn’t make to Derry.
“Fleadh” also follows the ambitious project undertaken by singer and composer Lorcán MacMathúna.
“From the River to the Sea” was a new work commissioned to open this year’s event.
The director follows his progress throughout the summer, as Lorcan, a traditional “sean nós” singer, meets a range of different people and groups from across the city.
Help and inspiration come from many different sources, but will he have time to arrange the music, arrange the music, organise an orchestra and choir of volunteers and rehearsals before the opening night in front of a packed audience in St Columb’s Cathedral?
The film also features a number of overseas competitors – including a Leeds man who first tasted All-Ireland success when he was 14. But how will he fare in the qualifying event – the All-Britain Fleadh – having not picked up his accordion in 20 years.
Also featured are Britain’s ceili band champions, St Rocha, from Glasgow. They are competing against local hopefuls, Enniskillen’s Knockmore Ceili Band, in the competition which traditionally closes the Fleadh.
For one of them, it;s a nail-biting finish with a dramatic conclusion.
Producer and director Sean McGuire said it was a “pleasure and a privilege” to work on the film.
He added: “I was blown away, time and time again, by the sheer talent of the young musicians I met and filmed with – not to mention the incredible support and dedication shown from their families.
“Playing the music they love, they do credit to themselves, to their communities – and you can see when they play how much it means to them.
“Of course, there’s a competitive spirit, but more importantly, what I found in this world of music was friendship, camaraderie – and a lot of joy, and I think that’s what this film is about – not just winning medals, though that’s part of it too.”
Sean concluded: “Making this film also brought me back to me back to my home city, and it was really something to be there, not just to attend the Fleadh, but to see how well we did.”
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