Tá áthas orm a bheith i bhur dteannta inniu chun Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann dhá mhíle is a haon déag a sheoladh. Téann fréamhacha ár gceol agus rince siar na mílaoiseanna. Is páirt dár stair iad. Is páirt dár bhféiniúlacht iad. Le níos mó na seasca bliain, is páírt tábhachtach dár saol in Éirinn Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann a chothaíonn suim, meas agus a chuireann beatha úr iontu. Táim fíor-bhuíoch dóibh siúd a eagraíonn agus a thugann tacaíocht dó ó bhliain go bliain.
There is a phrase in accountancy which refers to “an intangible asset” or “goodwill”. It’s an accountant’s term to place value on something that defies description in a monetary sense – but has a value that is acknowledged and recognised by all. Its ephemeral – but it is real. The Fleadh Cheoil is one of Irelands greatest intangible assets whose value goes far beyond mere accountancy terms.
It is not just a treasure house of music, song and dance, it is a goldmine of enthusiasm, endeavour and, dare I say, endurance! I say endurance not only for the vibrancy and effort put in by the volunteers and the competitors who flock to the event from all over Ireland and the world; but to the dedication of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann who for over 60 years had a vision, stuck to it and as a result we have this great annual flowering of talent that is the Fleadh Cheoil.
As the saying goes “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”. Little did those group of innovative pioneers who gathered in Mullingar sixty years ago realise what they were unleashing when they established Comhaltas and the Fleadh Cheoil. They - you - put in place a structure, and architecture to nurture, encourage, illuminate, preserve and educate. The foundations of your organisation are not bricks and mortar but love of our language, our music and our dance. You share – with the GAA your soul mate in the affections of the Irish people – that wonderful capacity to inspire volunteerism.
Comhaltas embodies that spirit of volunteerism which is so vital to our psyche-through its network of branches across the country. This national treasure delivers affordable, accessible, musical resources to myriads of students of all ages and abilities. With your magnificent archives, educational programmes, branches and regional centres – and growing presence internationally you defy description. I however could suggest the term “an intangible National asset”.
You have grown to be an international organisation with branches worldwide. You were ahead of your time. Long before the term Cultural Ambassador was invented you were it. You spread the gospel of our native music to a world wide audience. Irish music transcends boundaries, and is no respecter of race or religion. It is like a virus that infects – and once infected it stays. You can’t get rid of it – as the 1,000 young musicians from Ireland, the UK, North America, France, Germany, Russia, Japan and Israel who will attend classes in their various disciplines over four days, during the Fleadh will attest.
As we make our way through these difficult times, what better way can one think of to promote Ireland internationally but through our culture. Rebuilding Ireland’s reputation in key territories around the world has been one of this Government’s top priorities from day one. Culture needs to be at the heart of this promotional strategy. It is the most powerful, positive connection for the 70 million global Irish, and for the hundreds of millions more who have come to know and love Ireland for our culture. It is at the heart of who we are as a people and how we are seen by the rest of the world.
Through the year-long initiative of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland is showcasing more than 1,000 contemporary artists to new audiences across America, including a huge spectrum of younger and established musicians and bands. It’s a great example of the energy, the ambition and the can-do spirit of the Irish arts community in promoting the best of Ireland in this key market. Hundreds of top US organisations have come on board as partners and committed their investment to these projects.
Already, in the first six months of Imagine Ireland, there have been many breakthroughs for musicians who have captured new audiences, new bookings and media attention. This level of international profile is priceless. It opens doors and creates opportunities which can now be built on in the coming years.
I also want to recognise the key contribution of Gabriel Byrne, who as Ireland’s first Cultural Ambassador is working hand in hand with Culture Ireland to promote Irish arts and culture to the widest possible audience abroad.
We are very aware that culture is cited by the majority of visitors to Ireland as a key motivator in choosing Ireland as a destination. One has only got to look at the statistics for the Fleadh in Cavan last year. Over 158,000 people attended the Cavan Fleadh over the week, a crowd that is second to the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade (380,000) .
The Fleadh brand is now a major tourist attraction. The economic impact of the Fleadh Cheoil Festival 2010 on the Cavan region is estimated at nearly €20 million. When the spending by local visitors and organisers is included, the total value of the Fleadh to the local economy rises to €35million. It is estimated that 92% of inward spend by overseas and domestic visitors to Cavan would most likely not have come had the event not taken place in Cavan. While I may have made reference earlier in my speech to the term “intangible assets” these are real figures that would make any bank manager smile.
And yet the Fleadh is not about money – it is about music and culture. That is the success of your brand at home and internationally. Music, and the arts generally are important on many levels. Involvement in the arts, particularly at community level, encourages self-esteem, is life and health enhancing-both physically and mentally. They provide connections for young and old alike, and allow us to explore and develop.
Up and down the country festivals, big and small are adding excitement, engagement and colour to our lives, while contributing significantly to the economic and commercial lives of our towns. We could be kept going - and worn out ! - just travelling from one to another – from the Galway Film and Arts Festivals, the Kilkenny Arts Festival, the Earagail in Donegal, the Eigse in Carlow, not to mention the events in Ballina, Kinsale and Boyle Festivals. All celebrating different aspects of our lives. To be enjoyed, but most of all to be participated in.
At national level the importance of these events is reflected in the investments made by our State institutions. Support is provided by our tourist agencies, the Arts and Heritage Councils, the Film Board as well as our local authorities so importantly do they value not alone festivals, but all our arts and cultural attractions.
This year over 20 major global media outlets have been invited to The Fleadh to see and to report back to their various countries on the ‘great hidden Irish Brand -The Fleadh’. If only one of them reports back accurately the experience – it will be a success, if all 20 turn up and report back it will be a marketers dream.
And yet while that may be important – of more importance will be the handing on to the next generation that unique treasure trove of Irish music song and dance. That is where true success lies – in no small part to the activities of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Long may your good work continue.