Excitement building for Irish trad extravaganza as Longford Fleadh Cheoil 2026 is launched

A large crowd of people and musicians attended the official launch event for the 2026 Longford Fleadh Cheoil on Friday night at the Castle Inn in Newtownforbes.

This year's Fleadh Cheoil Longfoirt will take place in Newtownforbes on April 17, 18 and 19 and it promises a weekend of craic agus ceoil.

Secretary of the local branch Donna McCann said local people are 'very excited' about it and Newtownforbes last hosted the Fleadh in 2018 and 2019 and 'they are very happy to have it back'.

READ NEXT: 'Haven't seen the worst of it yet': Longford Senator fearful of fuel supply running out

"I think it's going to be the boost that we need in the community to get it, whereas music is doing very well, we need the young people to see that it's not just the classes and kids playing on their own, that it's part of a bigger thing."

There will be a range of community events such as an historical village walk on the Saturday, a seisiúin cheoil in Castle Inn and Casey’s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and poetry and storytelling in Loft Hair Salon on Sunday afternoon.

Fleadh Cheoil Longfoirt chair Yvonne Ní Mhurchú said they greatly appreciate the support of Newtownforbes Tidy Towns, Clonguish GAA, Newtownforbes and Killoe Community Project, Newtownforbes Poetry Group and Longford Writer’s Group.

READ NEXT: WATCH: Slow-moving Longford fuel protest and convoy of around 100 vehicles today on the N5

"They have been a great help, running different events over the weekend side by side with the Fleadh Cheoil which means there are other events going on that will involve community and parishioners as well as musicians."

Newtownforbes Parish Choir will also celebrate their centenary at the Feadh Mass on Sunday, April 19 at 10:30 in St. Mary's Church, Newtownforbes.

To read the full preview article see this week's upcoming edition of the Longford Leader on Wednesday