Connacht Fleadh launch in Lough Rynn Hotel this May!

The Connacht Fleadh will be officially launched on Friday 22 May at the Lough Rynn Hotel in Carrick‑on‑Shannon, County Leitrim. The event will see the well‑known Leitrim musician John Lee open the festival with a special concert that celebrates fellow local talent Noel Sweeney. The launch is organised by Leitrim Comhaltas in partnership with the organisers of the Connacht Fleadh 2026, who are delighted to bring the festival to the county for the first time.

The Lough Rynn Hotel, a historic venue set beside the lake that gives the area its name, has long been a gathering place for music and community events. Its spacious ballroom and scenic surroundings make it an ideal setting for a festival launch that aims to showcase the rich musical heritage of the west of Ireland. The launch will feature a programme of traditional and contemporary Irish music, with John Lee taking the stage to perform a selection of his own compositions and to pay tribute to Noel Sweeney, whose work has been influential in the Leitrim music scene for many years.

Leitrim Comhaltas, the county’s branch of the national organisation that promotes Irish music, culture and language, will be the main organiser of the event. The launch is part of a broader plan to bring the Connacht Fleadh to a wider audience, with the 2026 festival scheduled to run for several days in the summer. The festival will include competitions, workshops, and performances by musicians from across the country, providing a platform for emerging talent and a celebration of traditional Irish music.

The choice of John Lee as the opening act reflects his status as one of Leitrim’s most respected musicians. Lee has performed extensively in the region and beyond, and his involvement is expected to draw a large crowd of music lovers. Noel Sweeney, who will be honoured during the concert, is a celebrated figure in the local music community. His contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish music have earned him recognition both within Leitrim and across the country.

The launch event is scheduled to run from the early afternoon into the evening, with a programme that will include a mix of solo and ensemble performances. In addition to the musical highlights, there will be a brief welcome address from representatives of Leitrim Comhaltas and the Connacht Fleadh organisers, outlining the vision for the festival and the opportunities it will create for local musicians and the wider community.

The festival’s arrival in Leitrim comes at a time when the county is already busy with a number of cultural and sporting events. In early May, the community will also be preparing for the Carrick Carnival, which will run from 27 May to 31 May and will involve road closures in the Quay and Moon River areas. The carnival is a long‑standing tradition that brings together residents and visitors for a week of music, dance and street performances. The Fleadh launch will therefore be one of several highlights in the county’s vibrant May calendar.

Other notable events in the region include the Ash Wednesday observances in February, the Lourdes pilgrimage in May, and the Knock concert in March. These events, along with the upcoming Connacht U15 handball title and the Love Where You Live awards ceremony at Lough Rynn Castle, demonstrate the diversity of cultural and sporting activities that keep the community engaged throughout the year.

The launch of the Connacht Fleadh at Lough Rynn Hotel is expected to attract visitors from across the country, providing a boost to local hospitality and tourism. The festival will also offer a platform for local musicians to showcase their talent to a wider audience, potentially opening doors to further opportunities in the national music scene.

For those interested in attending the launch, tickets will be available through the Lough Rynn Hotel’s box office and online. The event is free to the public, but a small donation is encouraged to support the local music community and the ongoing work of Leitrim Comhaltas.

The launch of the Connacht Fleadh marks a significant moment for Leitrim, signalling a renewed focus on the county’s cultural heritage and its role in the wider Irish music landscape. With the support of local musicians, community organisations and festival organisers, the event promises to be a memorable celebration of Irish music and culture.

For more details, see the Leitrim Observer article.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.