Ibiza may be associated with a youth rave culture, but for two weeks it’s home to Irish music fans.
LONG WAY FROM HOME Michael Commins from The Mayo News meets his former neighbour, John Casserly from Murneen, Claremorris at the Fleadh Ibiza. John has resided in England for many years.
Dancing to a different beat Michael Commins IT’S 4.45am and Longford musician Sean Gilsenan is playing ‘Sean South from Garryowen’ on the accordion. There is no shortage of revellers to join in the sing-song. After all, this is the Fleadh Ibiza, Ireland’s biggest overseas music festival.
Ibiza may be famous as the clubbing capital of southern Europe but, for two weeks each April, the Mediterranean island resonates to a different beat. Around 2,500 party-goers from all over Ireland and England converge on the isle for the Fleadh, a celebration of set dancing, Irish Country music, dancing classes and much more.
It’s all a million miles from the popular image of Ibiza as a haven for rave and drug parties and wild celebrations into the summer night. While the town of San Antonio reaches fever pitch with the UK invasion during the holiday season, the Fleadh Ibiza is a far more sedate and relaxed venture.
It all began ten years ago when Mayo native Gerry Flynn, a former top Bord Fáilte executive in the English Midlands, pioneered the venture through his Enjoy Travel Company. Set dancers from both sides of the Irish Sea liked the idea of combining an overseas holiday and dancing to their favourite bands at the same time.
From a relatively small beginning blossomed the venture that has become and integral part of the social lives of many thousands over the past decade. Some years ago, fresh appeal was added when it was decided to bring along some well-known Irish Country music entertainers. This gave the entire venture fresh impetus and a whole new audience.
In recent years, many of the regular entertainers have been joined by some of the big names from the business who have flown out to perform special concerts for the patrons. Among them were Foster and Allen, Johnny McEvoy, The Bachelors and Showaddywaddy.
For some of the lesser-known names, it provides a huge platform to shine and broaden their appeal. Sam O’Doherty hails from Bansha, Co Tipperary. For Sam, it has been a case of ‘hot, hot, hot’ as he played two capacity concert shows during the week. They loved his style, his music and his stories.
“Where would you get the likes of this anymore? It’s like a piece of old Ireland was transplanted to the island of Ibiza. It’s a magical place” says Sam.
Brian and Ann Byrne reside in Manchester. The Mayo natives are regulars at the gathering each year. “It would remind you of the song, ‘If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here’. It gives us all a great chance to reconnect with our roots. It is a very special gathering and a huge social gathering for the many that come back year after year,” says Brian who hails from Carraun, Claremorris.
Every Irish county is represented at the Ibiza festival. County Day encourages the patrons to sport their home jerseys and Mayo, Galway and Clare are always well to the fore.
The Brose Walsh Band from Mayo completed their first engagement at the festival. And from the reaction of the dancers, they have already been booked for next year’s event. “We have played many places in Ireland, England, and America but this is unique. You have a ready-made audience for our kind of music. If you put in the effort it’s hard to go wrong,” says Tomas Walsh.
The Tony Stevens band from Cork are also big favourites with the dancers. They have been out here for the past few seasons. Eddie Lee, Catriona O’Sullivan, Michael Cleary, Breege Kelly, Sean Wilson, Johnny Carroll, Pat Jordon, Jimmy Whitton, Danny Webster, Sharon Turley, Dermot Hegarty, Catherine Darcy, Liam McLaughlin, Curtis Magee and Michael Muldoon are just some of the acts who entertained the patrons on this occasion. Top céilí bands like the Copper Plate, the Swallow’s Tail, and other bands and musicians keep the dancers tapping away to their hearts’ content.
The wine flows freely into the night. Happiness is Ibiza on an April night with the soft Mediterranean moonlight caressing this gem of an island. Another place, another time, a world of its own. That’s the Fleadh Ibiza. (More photos and requests from the Ibiza celebrations will be published next week).
