CORRIGAN PARK is the venue of one of, if not the biggest, hurling clashes that Ireland's second city is set to witness when reigning champions St John's host their bitter rivals Rossa in the Senior Hurling Championship opener this evening.
IN the end, everything is political. While it might be nice to think that the turf-scented notes from a box accordion or the other-worldly strains of the uileann pipes are immune to infection from the diurnal and the dreary, the fact is that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was never going to be beyond the reach of those addicted to confrontation.
SQUINTER’S acutely aware that there’s nothing quite so boring as an evangelised teetotaller wanging on about the booze. Which is why in just short of three years as a non-swally merchant this is the third time that he has broached the subject of his 50-year overdue Pioneer status.
FOLLOWING on from Tradfest – well done Dónal and everyone involved – Féile and the Fleadh were mighty. Sixteen days of Féile An Phobail, separate but running parallel with a week of the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to be held in Belfast. An 1.6 million Fleadh hoppers meandered their way through Belfast soaking up the music, the craic and the joyful atmosphere as musicians and dancers playing their hearts out on streets and in pubs and music venues.
CLIFTONVILLE manager Jim Magilton insists that past experiences means he will continue to emphasise the importance of his players not taking teams for granted.
A FLUTE band from the Shankill Road have praised the organisers of the Fleadh after they received a "thunderous" reception after performing outside Belfast City Hall.
