Kildare County Board, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the 6 branches Athy, Clane, Kilteel/Eadestown, Kilcock, Leixlip and Maynooth are part of a new initiative: FleadhFest. This festival is to take place during 2021, when the annual Fleadh Cheoil cannot happen.

Fleadh Cheoil Chill Dara has been held annually since 1967, hosted by many towns throughout the county. It is central to the promotion of the Traditional Arts and to the work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in County Kildare. Due to Covid-19, Fleadh Cheoil 2020 and 2021 have been cancelled and will be replaced by FleadhFest, giving an opportunity to musicians, singers and dancers to reunite virtually with friends and followers throughout the county, country and across the world.

This will involve recording three 40-minute style programmes of traditional music, song, dance, storytelling and the language, which will outline the story of the strong heritage of County Kildare. It will be broadened to include iconic people, places and events outside the realm of Comhaltas. It will encapsulate sporting events, local history and geography, historic buildings and some breathtaking scenery from around the county.

Each branch is undertaking to plan, research, script and present a programme to reflect some of the highlights of their area, supported by traditional music, song and dance from the branch members, along with interviews with local figures. The programmes will be professionally recorded and shared through YouTube

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.