Fleadh Cheoil 2024 - Discussion thread

CWMMC

All things about the Fleadh Cheoil this year in Wexford

McLoughlin

Lack of accommodation, Rise of Anti-social behaviour in public, Local business closing due to traffic restrictions, lack of venues going to entertaining

Corvo

I live in the town, I'm dreading the night times.

McLoughlin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122342610#Comment_122342610

Wexford needs nightlife after 6 on a weekday it is just empty, with nowhere open, and nothing to do I often see tourists strolling out of hotels around wondering why we came here. Fleadh is the perfect thing to kick-start something.

Corvo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122342691#Comment_122342691

I agree in principle, but this much of a crowd is a different story.

Eggs For Dinner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122342691#Comment_122342691

If there was a demand, businesses would be open. You can't expect a business to stay open and pay staff if nobody is going to walk through the door. People don't have the disposable income to socialise more than once a week (at most) given the prices charged. Personally, I prefer to save my money for a couple of holidays abroad each year, where I get better value.

As for the Fleadh, I'll be stocking up on supplies and bunkering down

CWMMC

I'll be working in a pub during the week of it and I don't even think I'm mentally prepared for it. Obviously if your full your full no more people can come in, but I've a feeling it will be like a conveyor belt and just wont stop.

Paddico

Holy mother … when I suggested a thread I was expecting the full on negativity on here.

I was hoping for more on the informative and town suggestions as I’ve never been to Wexford town.

So the positives:

From previous experience it tends to be very family orientated festival. Lots of kids and family’s roaming about and enjoying the outside music if the weather is good

I've generally never seen much anti social behaviour. Fri, Saturday and lesser extent can get a bit messy late on but that’s as far as it goes.

Mullingar last year had a high level of guards around the place, very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

The music is super and generally of a very high standard. If your not a trad lover the town atmosphere is still excellent with big smiles and good banter in the pubs.

If you hate trad music, yeah stay away. It will be skiddley idelley everywhere.

As for Wexford town, apart from lack of accommodation, I’m hearing lots of positives. Nice town, friendly locals with an interesting accent, narrow medieval street and good pubs. Be good to hear some locals thoughts.

McLoughlin

You don't need to pay for concerts as there is so much free music. Mackens best choice to sit outside if the weather is good.

Paddico

Tip no 1, cheers McLoughlin

CWMMC

I believe most pubs are going to have music in them. Alot of pubs are saying they aren't going to increase their drink prices too, an example of this is the Sailing cot and The Mayflower(Cullentons) so pints/drinks will be cheaper by a euro or more.

Paddico

Musicians will go to any pub. They just want to play.

If there there's loud music on in abr like rock, dance, alternative … its a hint the owner doesnt want trad.

Fine with that too. Traditional Irish music isn't for everyone.

Corvo

Few prices are out. Approx. €7.00 a pint for Lager.

McLoughlin

If I was an pub owner that doesn't like trad and heard 500,000 to 800,000 trad lovers are expected. I would suddenly book a hape of trad acts.

CramCycle

I think its going to be great, it is finally coming together in town with large open areas finally in place. |f you are only in town for the pints, the crown quarter is your best bet but the rest of the bars seem to be struggling to get extra staff and don't have the experience to make the most out of it. I don't think this is a bad thing for locals but businesses will fail to capitalise. Most people who have been to a Fleadh before though know that's not what it is about and it will be super family friendly. I certainly wouldn't be worried about anti social behaviour. One or two fights on main street over a few months and the locals would have you believe its the end of times. Wexford is and remains one of the nicest and safest spots in Ireland. Hopefully Wexford Bus local buses are increasing frequency. Just seen the increases for Irish Rail and while it will help, overall it is actually insulting how poor the increase is.

Looking forward to getting home from work and if Wexford bus increase local services, getting the bus in with my kid for the excitement. Haven't been to a Fleadh since Cavan and hoping it will be just as good. It will be mental but mental positive is my gut feeling. Campsite vibe around some of the GAA places renting out to campers.

My daughters business is closed for the week but unlike the negative voices on here, they are happy to let it happen, Her boss is giving them full pay for the week as he recognises it will pay dividends to Wexford over the next few months.

jpb1974

Deleted

jpb1974

Deleted

patsy sally

Anybody hear that a certain pub is charging 10r for a pint of coors,heard this in my local last night but still don't know if True or not if true they won't be getting any of my money

Geuze

We will be attending a music competition in venue 5B: SETU Wexford campus Y35 KA07.

I looked for this in Google Maps, it is off Summerhill Road.

It seems to be beside St. Peter's College, which I presume is a second-level school?

Or else it is actually in the grounds of St. Peter's College?

My main question is: do you think competitors parents/families will be able to drive into this site? If so, what is the main vehicle entrance to this site? Off Summerhill road?

Is this the entrance?

Or is this the entrance?

Thanks.

boardise

Give us a lash of The Mason's Apron there on an E flat whistle …and follow it up with The Salamanca.🙂

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122466654#Comment_122466654

The bottom one is the entrance to Peters college, and there’s a good bit of parking there

enjoy

geographica

enter there

Music Box

Any sessions around the town? Would the hotels be a better bet than pubs?

Paddico

Like Mullingar last year, just walk and look MB. Sometimes things are slow to get gong during the day.

Pubs always better than hotels

Paddico

Can anyone on here say what are the main pubs in Wexford that do the odd weekly trad session?

CramCycle

So far it is quieter than my previous experiences of the Fleadh although that may also be weather dependent but coming home from work through town on Wednesday the atmosphere was great, loads of families and musicians and just a generally good vibe around town. Town looks great as well, clean and welcoming.

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122445084#Comment_122445084

€7 in Bugler Doyles etc

€6 in Michael Kellys

plastic glasses everywhere (almost)

geographica

It’s jammers yesterday today and will be tomorrow and Sunday/Monday

SCOOP 64

Does it finish Sunday.

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122484782#Comment_122484782

In the main yes, but there’s a couple of things going on Monday am too, final farewell singing at Mary’s Bar on Monday 12th @ 14.00

geographica

I know there are general exemptions but anyone know the licensing hours for the town?

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122484782#Comment_122484782

There’s music going on all day right through to beyond midnight Sunday so it’s a full day

Corvo

Worked a (less manic) pop up bar in town and I have to say, I met the most lovely people throughout the week. Friday and Saturday were absolutely mental for drink but on the other days I got to chat away to people from all over the country and even the US.

As someone who was walking home very late at night / early morning and saw the inevitable cups/food waste etc. everywhere, credit to the people cleaning the streets as I would be back up and on the town very early in the morning and it would be absolutely spotless. I couldn't believe the turnaround on making the entire town like brand new again.

I'm sure there will be areas to be improved on and will be implemented for next year, but in the main it seemed like a huge success.

Kearneys Funeral Home selling sweets gave me a good giggle.

ELM327

Thank christ this is finished. A right PITA for those with a blue badge and severely limited mobility issues.

Paddico

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494184#Comment_122494184

Great to read Corvo. Some negative comments on here before it began but naturally there was always going to be apprehension.

I hope the town got a great cut from the visitors spend. It can be hard on some of the older people.

Any other locals on here have any thoughts?

CWMMC

Worked in a bar too and have to say it went alot better/smoother than I had expected. It was like Christmas time without the messy drunks. No sick or broken glass etc made it alot easier too. I think overall from my perspective it went well and looking forward to it next year. It also shows that the quay can be used for something every year or utilized. The guards and the county council did a brilliant job with keeping everyone safe and cleaning the place up every morning/night.

patsy sally

Visited myself and it was very well run parking wasn't a problem bus stopped in redmond square,plenty to do and see and best atmosphere I've come across in the town for a very long time had food in one of the bars wouldn't say it was much more expensive than any other time,drink prices I'm not sure on as wasn't drinking all in all an enjoyable day and great too have it in wexford

Corvo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498428#Comment_122498428

I wont lie, I was very negative at the start, but it was more a worry that the town wouldn't handle such a crowd but they did and they did it fantastically. I was glad to hear the feedback from Fleadh goers that it was one of the best they were ever at. Wexford has such potential but its often wasted. That Quay front should be used far more. The bar I worked in had a number of food stalls and they were massively impressed and would like to return. The Fleadh might have been the start of some growth.

CWMMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501174#Comment_122501174

Completely. I remember visiting Waterford last year during the Spraoi festival and was wondering why Wexford Town has nothing like this?

Corvo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501188#Comment_122501188

Food festivals are a big draw for me and I've attended them all over the country, but not Wexford (apart from the Maritime Festival). Its a shambles to be honest, that quay front should be booming. I worked alongside Little Catch (who bring their own crowd, they could be on the ballast bank and people would swim over), Socafro, The Oven and Bella Napoli. They were all delighted and just loved the vibe in Wexford in general, not just the Fleadh.

But even aside from food, why not music? Yes, theres the Spiegeltent (which in my opinion has become a bit tired) but there could be so much more. Food festivals, beer festivals, music events, markets etc. Its a beautiful quay front, they should use it.

CWMMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501252#Comment_122501252

I think the Spiegeltent has lost its buzz only for one reason, and that is because its the same acts every year. Theres never anything new in it.

Corvo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122505041#Comment_122505041

Yep, when it originally started I attended a bit. I can't believe some of the same acts get recycled every year. It would be lovely to see a stage set up every two to three months and draw in some small local acts and some larger acts from across the country, with pop up bars etc.

Just as an aside, I'm hearing rumours that the Fleadh may come here for the third year, not just next year. That would be an amazing boost to Wexford.

McLoughlin

The problem with the Spiegeltent is one of the main individuals behind it originally is no longer there and a variety of issues have turned people away from it such as standing-only gigs, ticket costs, ignoring local groups etc

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122505718#Comment_122505718

They usually give if for three years I’ve been told

CWMMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122603397#Comment_122603397

I believe it's normally two years but because it's in Belfast next and something about them only doing one year it gives Wexford the option for three years.

McLoughlin

It's two years and there are currently discussions for 2026.

geographica

Listowel have had it for 3 times in a row x 2 times

Sligo have had it 3 times in a row

Clonmel have had it 3 times in a row

Tullamore have had it 3 times in a row

Cavan have had it 3 times in a row