FLYING THE FLAG Mayo folk display the county colours at the recent Fleadh Ibiza.
Music lovers send greetings from Ibiza
People and Places Michael Commins THE annual Fleadh Ibiza, which takes place on the Mediterranean island over two weeks in April, once again attracted music lovers and party-goers from all over Ireland and the UK. Now in its 11th year, the festival has a very loyal clientele with a huge ‘repeat’ patronage year after year.
The Fleadh Ibiza is the flagship promotion of the Blackburn-based Enjoy Travel, a company formed by Ballina native Gerry Flynn, a former leading executive with Bord Fáilte in the English midlands. Among the first ventures undertaken by Gerry’s company in the early days were coach trips from England to Knock Shrine.
Today, they operate several overseas music promotions, including ventures in Portugal and Spain and a Mediterranean cruise in September.
I’m glad to report that the Brose Walsh Band went down a real treat with the dancers on their first visit to Ibiza. They have already been booked for a return visit next year. James, Tomas, John Noel, Jimmy and Phil were delighted with the welcome accorded to them by the patrons.
Tony Stevens and his band are popular favourites with the dancers, and they once again provided some top-class entertainment. The various céilí bands have their own loyal following too, and most of the set dancers tend to opt for the first week of the fleadh.
I always get some requests for the Mayo folk. I’ll start close to home with a mention for John Casserley, formerly of Murneen, and who has lived in England for many years. It was nice to meet himself and Kathleen, who is a fine ballad singer, during the week in Ibiza. John says ‘hello’ to his brother Joe back home and to all the neighbours in Murneen and the Barnacarroll region.
Greetings to Rose and Miko Costello in Brownstown, Robeen, from their son, John, and his wife, Teresa (nee Donnellan), who reside in Lanesboro. Teresa was a member of the cast from the local Lough Ree Players, who staged a play on two nights during the second week of the fleadh. A lovely singer, Teresa was also a soloist at the outdoor Mass on Sunday.
Agnes Kelly, formerly Murphy from Bangor-Erris and her friend Pat(ricia), a native of Carraward, Bohola, and now living in Ballymahon, were enjoying the celebrations in Ibiza. They say ‘hello’ to Madeline and Tom Moran in the Bohola area and also to Jackie Lynch in Tuam.
‘Hello’ to Patricia and Paddy O’Connor and Laura and Patrick in Foxford, Michael and Angela O’Connor, and Michael, Elaine and Lisa in Balla from Phil and Ann.
Patsy McLoughlin from Donegal, a member of the John McNicholl Band and who was drummer with the resident band during the recent Ibiza party, sends good wishes to Margaret and Marty Owens, Dinny and Siobhan Brennan, and friends in the Carracastle and Charlestown areas.
Ballyvary natives Sean Sweeney and Kevin Cunnane had to come all the way to Ibiza to meet up for the first time. Sean emigrated from Ballyvary many years ago and has lived in Slough, England, ever since. He is a brother of Vincent in Ballyvary. Kevin resides in the London area, and he is a brother of Gerry Cunnane who was a leading officer of the Castlebar Association in Birmingham over the years. Their sister, Teresa, died suddenly in Ballyvary last year.
Teresa Connor from Tooreen and Dympna Murphy from Knock were over for the first week of the fleadh, while Mary Colleran from Strandhill, a sister of Teresa, was on her first trip to Ibiza. So too were Jerome and Kathleen Tarpey, who were out from Kilcun, Kiltimagh. Kitty Fleming and Maureen Derry from Kiltimagh also made the trip. A mention too for Frances Reilly from Lehinch, Hollymount, and Ann Jordan and Margo Conway from Breaffy – regulars at the Ibiza celebrations.
‘Hello’ to all the Westport folk who made the journey to the Mediterranean isle, including Mary O’Neill, Maureen Halpin, Maire Ruane, Eamonn and Mary Connolly, Geraldine and Teresa Gibbons, and Pat Friel. John Joe Geraghty was out from Newport. A mention also for Mickey Walsh, who looks forward in such a special way to this holiday every year.
Tom and Noreen Carter from Westport and John Farragher from Ballinrobe were busy conducting their ballroom-dancing classes, while Seamus and Linda Melvin from Bonniconlon and their good friend Fidelma McCarney from Tyrone hosted their popular jiving and social dancing classes to much acclaim from the patrons. Mickey Kelly from Newport was among the regular set dancing tutors and has been a part of the Fleadh Ibiza since the outset.
Noel Ryan from Ballina once again coordinated the superb nostalgia exhibition featuring showband photos from back the years, as well as a new international section. Some old newspaper pages featuring advertisements for dancehall and carnivals from various parts of the country generated their own interest too.
Brendan Nannery from Kilbeggan says ‘hello’ to Finbarr Conroy from Ballindine. He recalls the days when they used to play football together for Sean McDermott’s club in Birmingham.
Michael Carey and his wife from Killucan in Co Westmeath send good wishes to Tommy and Colette Lavelle and family in Murneen, Claremorris.
It was nice to meet Gretta and Sean Lynott from Crossmolina and Oliver and Marie Fleming from Bonniconlon, who were very much enjoying their holiday in Ibiza. Oliver tells me they are organising a major workshop and céilí weekend in November for Mayo Cancer Support.
Eddie McDermott from Loughglynn is a regular on these trips, and he conveys his regards to family members back home around Loughglynn and to Martin Walsh and family in Gorthaganny. Eddie showed us some special photos from his days in the boxing ring, including some with former British heavyweight champion, the legendary Henry Cooper.
Tourmakeady native Eddie Gibbons and his wife Maureen from Gorey, Co Wexford have resided in England for several years. They send good wishes to family and friends around the Tourmakeady area.
Nice to meet Mary Raftery and Eileen Conlisk from Headford, Patsy Meehan and Bridie Lavin from Ballymote, and Ger Lavelle who was out from Achill. Josie McDermott from Rhone, Co Offaly, says ‘hello’ to Bridie McDermott and the family in Cashel, Ayle, Westport.
Swinford native Margo DeLapp, who now resides in Moycullen, was also enjoying the celebrations. She is a sister of Paddy Smyth in Swinford. And mention of Swinford reminds me to say ‘hello’ to Brid O’Connell, a regular supporter of the Fleadh Ibiza. Brid and her team are already working hard on the Siamsa Straide Festival, which will be held in Swinford later in the summer.
