Personal Memories of the 1979 Fleadh in Tralee
By Eoin Mac Gearailt
Thirty seven years have passed since the last time Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí was held in the capital of Kerry, Tralee. When thinking of the 'Kerry Fleadh' of '79, certain names come flooding back into my mind; the ever-busy Diarmuid Ó Cátháin, Treasa and Breandán Feirtéar, Anne and Nicky McAuliffe James O Connor and Máire Bean Uí Ghríofa to name but a few.
Though from Tralee, circumstances dictated that along with concertina maestro Michelle O Sullivan, I was a member of the Ballyheigue branch. The Fleadh in Tralee was the first step in what was to become a very fruitful journey to the All Ireland Fleadh in far away Buncrana for our small branch and for Kerry. Michelle came first in the concertina, I won both the button accordion and tin whistle slow airs and the ultimate accolade was awarded to John Lucid who took first in the senior box.
Despite winning the button box All Ireland that year I wasn't as lucky in Tralee, where I came third and progressed to Munster with a recommendation. Joe Burke was the iconic box player in my youth and the tuning and sound from his box was what was desired by all. My 'off the shelf' Paolo Soprani didn't sound the best in the Tralee Fleadh. There wasn't a John Brosnan in Kerry back then and the expert tuner of the day was a J Nielsen in London, a destination then that wasn't really the cheap hop, skip and jump destination of the Ryanair age. However Diarmuid Ó Cátháin somehow managed to get my box over and back to London. With the new sound in the box I thought I was the bees knees and played with a renewed enthusiasm that was to convince two more adjudicators on the road to the All Ireland to think similarly.
Michelle O Sullivan, John Lucid and I will always remember the 'Fleadh in Tralee' fondly not just because of our successes. Winning is great but it's not really what a Fleadh is all about. A Fleadh is about establishing lifelong friendships, the buzz of the sessions, learning new tunes and above all enjoying yourselves. Friendships we made back then are steadfast to this day.
Thirty seven years on from being a competitor in the Tralee Fleadh I'm still involved with Comhaltas, as are all my family. Though domiciled in Kildare I hope to meet up with many friends at the Fleadh in Tralee this year. I'm sure that the five day 2016 version of Fleadh Cheoil Chiarraí will be a mighty event. Guím gach rath ar an gCoiste agus ar an bhFleadh i dTrá-Lí.
