Milltown Bodhran

Milltown may appear to be a sleepy little hamlet to visitors but underneath its relaxed exterior beats a heart that bangs like a drum.

Milltown is home to a very active branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and has the largest membership of that organisation within the Kingdom which has led to Milltown hosting the County Fleadh Cheoil Festival on eight occasions in the last twenty years, most of those in the last decade. The Munster Fleadh Cheoil was also held there in 2002 and was a huge success not only in musical terms but as a boost to the local economy.

In 2005 suggestions about a World Bodhran competition in Milltown were greeted with a little hesitation but initial scepticism quickly turned to belief as, almost immediately, the organisers set about recruiting new volunteers and building the strength of the committee.

And so the inaugural World Bodhran Championships leaped into life on the 2006 June Bank Holiday Weekend. "People were a little sceptical at first," said Owen O'Shea, World Bodhran Championships, Chief Executive. "But the festival created an amazing atmosphere in Milltown and when people saw how dedicated the festival organizers were, everyone came on board very quickly."

"It was absolutely the first time anywhere in the world that a World Bodhran Championships took place and the interest was so great that it's become an annual event," continued Owen.

One of the highlights of the inaugural festival was having Liam O'Maoinlai of the Hot House Flowers and Ronan O'Snodaigh of Kila play and they enjoyed the festival so much they're back for seconds.

"We're delighted that Liam and Ronan have decided to come back again this year," said Owen. "They're playing in the Community Hall on June 2nd."

The World Bodhran Championships will be held from June 1st - 4th in Milltown. For more info please call the Committee Office on 066 976 5601 or log onto http://www.worldbodhranchampionships.com/gallery/index.htm