Two films relating to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Sligo last Summer will be screened on TV during the Christmas period. Both films were produced by Omedia in 2014.

‘Peace in the Fleadh’, an hour-long documentary which followed the preparation and performances of different groups who took part in the Fleadh will be screened on Sky channel 191 as part of the Irish TV schedule. The programme receives top billing, going to air at 4pm on Christmas Day.

In addition, ‘The Sligo Masters’, the film which features the lives of the greats of Sligo fiddle playing like Michael Coleman, James Morrison and Paddy Killoran, will screen on TG4 on Sunday December 28th at 2:50pm.

‘Peace in the Fleadh’ follows the path taken by diverse groups as they get ready to perform at the Fleadh Cheoil. From the colour and pageantry of Fleadh Opening Day, through to live performances on the Peace III gig rig to concerts at more intimate venues around Sligo, this film throws the spotlight on the challenges these groups faced as they prepared for the biggest traditional music festival ever to have been hosted in Sligo.

Viewers will get a chance to relive some of the Fleadh memories which brought Sligo centre stage for a week this Summer, and gave the people of the town and county justifiable reason to feel proud of this wonderful week of music and celebration.

Many of these groups in the film were Fleadh first-timers, and the cameras went behind the scenes to see the rehearsals, the opening night nerves and the performances themselves. We hear from those who directed the Fleadh, who took part, and, as we get set to host another Fleadh Cheoil next Summer, this film will enable us to focus the minds as Sligo gets begins planning for Fleadh 2015.

‘The Sligo Masters’ is an acclaimed film on the lives of the men who - at the turn of the 20th century - put Sligo on the map in relation to the Sligo Style of fiddle playing. Michael Coleman, the renowned master of the instrument, was born outside of Gurteen, just down the road from James Morrison.

Together, they became seminal figures in the recording and playing of Irish music. Having emigrated to New York just as gramophone recording was revolutionizing the music industry, they became two of the most successful and popular recording artists in 1920s America.

Together, with Ballymote-born Paddy Killoran, they became some of the most recognizable musicians in Irish circles in New York, and this fascinating documentary tells of their incredible rise, as well as the challenges and difficulties they faced in the aftermath of the Great Depression. A wonderful depiction of life at the time, ‘The Sligo Masters’ has been described as “captured beautifully … highly recommended … telling this Sligo story with so much quiet authority and gentle enthusiasm.” (Irish Music Magazine), and “fascinating … insightful … tells a great story that is as important today as it was when the trio of Coleman, Morrison and Killoran were furrowing new ground in America.” (Irish Central.com) For the film’s promotional video click on this YouTube link or visit http://bit.ly/sligomasters. For additional promotional material relating to The Sligo Masters visit http://bit.ly/sligomasterspress

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