THE County Fleadh weekend gets off to a flying start in Derrylin on Friday, June 13, when renowned world class fiddle player Pat McManus will perform with a host of guest musicians in Blake’s Bar. The opening session is a tribute night to his late father, John McManus, and begins at 8.30pm .

Music fans are advised to come early as a large crowd is expected. Following the success of Fermanagh Fleadh 2013, Derrylin branch of Comhaltas will again host the premier event in the traditional music calendar from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15.

One of the main attractions of the fleadh is the competitions.

These take place on Saturday and Sunday morning at 10am in St Aidan’s High School. As usual the competitions attract large numbers of talented musicians, singers and dancers of all ages competing at a very high standard to win a place in the Ulster Fleadh which takes place from July 20 to July 27 in Dromore. This year over 200 competitors have entered from Comhaltas branches throughout the County in over 15 different competitions. All these talented young people and adults will have aspirations for County, Ulster and possibly All-Ireland success.

Following the competitions on Saturday morning an outdoor junior youth session will be held at 2pm outside the Enterprise Centre. This is a new event which has been inspired by the hugely successful monthly youth sessions which are held in the Railway Hotel, Enniskillen.

On Saturday afternoon local and invited artists including the Lough Oughter Ceili Band and Loughed will perform on the Gig Rig. Later that night Tara Shamrock, a four piece ballad group, will perform in The Mountview Bar while traditional singing enthusiasts can enjoy a singing session in Clachan Court at 9pm. And for all the ceili dancers a Fior Ceili will begin at 9.30pm in St Ninnidh’s Hall with Martin Duggan. Live music and sessions will be held in both pubs throughout the day with a late night session on Saturday in Blakes Bar On Sunday following the competitions a parade and vintage Car Rally will take place followed by another singing session at 4.30pm in Clachan Court.

On Sunday afternoon the Knockmore Ceili Band, runners up in the All Ireland 2013 Senior Ceili Band Competition, will play on the Gig Rig. They are followed by the hugely popular Galway based five-piece band Portherhead who are due to release their debut album this summer. Portherhead describe their music as traditional Irish with a touch of blues and are delighting audiences with their unique blend of music wherever they play. Derrylin Comhaltas look forward to welcoming competitors, musicians and all visitors to the 2014 Fermanagh Fleadh Cheoil. For further details about events throughout the weekend visit our website www.fermanaghcomhaltas.com