Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Last year, the Fleadh came to Wexford just as I went off to Giggleswick.  Fortunately, as seems to be the tradition, Wexford is hosting it again this year.

Last year it was sheeting down rain when my band played on the Gig Rig on the Monday.  We were worried, with Storm Floris in the offing, that the same might happen this year.  Fortunately, Floris skirted north of us, but we did get some heavy rain overnight.  And winds.  

I had a bad night, with an upset tummy - not sure why.  But it's a chance in a lifetime to play in the Fleadh - next year it moves to Belfast.  So I dragged myself off my sick bed.

We were lucky, it was still very windy when we played, and there were some interesting noises from the roof, but we got through our programme, with plenty of sunshine.  A decent audience seemed to like our offering of a mixture of Irish music and other pieces.

They cancelled some of the shows coming after us, as they thought the winds were just too worrying.

We had intended to drop my rucksack containing  my flute and stand at the sewing shop, have a walk round, and soak up the atmosphere, but I really didn't feel up to it.  The whole thing lasts a week, we'll go in to Wexford again later in the week, without heavy bags.