7 Reasons Why Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann Is The Ultimate Irish Sesh

  Thousands of people have flooded Ennis this week for the annual Fleadh Cheoil. Aka, the most Irish sesh in all of Ireland. It is the biggest Irish music event of the year celebrating Irish culture in its finest form. The location for the legendary Fleadh changes every year but it has been to Ennis before, in both 1956 and 1977.

@fleadhcheoil 1977 what will the crowds be like this year ? #visitennis #fleadh2016 pic via @RowantreeEnnis pic.twitter.com/2zLsLqNgot

— Visit Ennis (@visitennis1) August 11, 2016

1. The streets are alive

With musicians, dancers and performers. The sounds, the smiles and the banter – it is typical, Irish, heartwarming craic. The kind we are all proud of.

Sweet sounds on day five of the Fleadh https://t.co/BGVFgOmFTb #fleadh2016 pic.twitter.com/ch1lGb38US

— The Clare Herald (@theclareherald) August 18, 2016

When the rain comes in Ennis we have plenty of archways :) @fleadhcheoil #fleadh2016 @theclareherald pic.twitter.com/yNzxhLyCiK

— Gary Collins Photogr (@GaryPhotogr) August 17, 2016

Going to #fleadh2016 in #Ennis check out @fleadh2016 see you there pic.twitter.com/yrVSHiXMp3

— #mancirishfest☘ (@mancirishfest) August 11, 2016

2. You will meet everyone and their mother at it

You often hear about that 'six degrees of separation' theory, but at the fleadh ceoil there's literally only two degrees of separation. You'll meet your long-forgotten friends, ex-baes, family, co-workers, mutual friends and classmates. Everyone who is anyone is at the Fleadh.

President Higgins to officially open Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis: https://t.co/cMhw7qLZvr #fleadh2016 pic.twitter.com/AIxuTZiDYA

— Newstalk (@NewstalkFM) August 14, 2016

3. There's enough Guinness to last the week

The pubs have been fully stocked and prepared for this one. No messing around here – they take their black shtuff very seriously. This pub in particular. 

4. It has a unique and special atmosphere

That is made up by the amazing efforts from the unreal team behind the Fleadh and the musicians, artists, dancers, locals, visitors and business owners. A large group of people all passionate about the craic, ceoil agus ól, Irish culture, the sesh and the actual musical seisiún.

5. Not even Michael D could pass on this one

The ultimate sesh legend himself, our very own Uachtarán made an appearance in Ennis, with the lovely Sabina.

Photo: President and Sabina Higgins arrive in #Ennis to open #fleadh2016. (Photo: @patsyflynn) pic.twitter.com/8x0CzxfxUc

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 14, 2016

6. The grub

Ennis has an abundance of great restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars. Here are some options and we would highly recommend Suas Coffee House for a cuppa (they serve 3fe). You'll need it, the head on ya.

7. The fierce competition

The competitions finished yesterday but around 6,000 people took part, singing, dancing and playing for all-Ireland glory in over 180 different categories. People came from all over the world for the competitions. And the talent was out of this world. These annual competitions are held to promote and develop Irish traditional music, both vocal and instrumental, encouraging dance as well as teanga na Gaeilge.

@CCELeixlip performing in the o18 Grúpa Cheoil comp @fleadhcheoil in Ennis in the @SupermacsIRE Dome pic.twitter.com/FIDi3xcgI9

— John FitzGerald (@Jdbfitzgerald) August 20, 2016

If you didn't make it down this year, put it in the diary for next year.

Header image: RollingNews.ie READ NEXT: This ITV Segment Included A Joke About The Famine – And Viewers Were Furious