Controversial Cashel Fleadh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland 1969

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association complains about drunken depravity at the Fleadh Cheoil in Cashel.
The ICA have complained about the drunkenness and bad conduct of visitors at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann held in Cashel and say they will do everything in their power to prevent it being held there again
This was the Tipperary town’s first time to host the annual event, a weekend-long festival of traditional music which combines competitions, sessions, parades and céilíthe, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ).
The Fleadh Cheoil is a major financial benefit for any host town and it is estimated that approximately a quarter of a million pounds is generated wherever the venue.
Unfortunately one detrimental aspect of the festival which has been causing controversy in recent years is the type of behaviour exhibited by some who attend it.
The Cashel ICA, who are supporters of Irish culture and music, have issued strongly worded letters of condemnation to the press about the conduct of some people at the event, which took place from 31 May to Monday 2nd June.
Sheila Crowe, press officer for the local branch of the ICA says the people of Cashel did not know what they were letting themselves in for when the decision was made to host the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Littering and drunkenness were identified as the main problems, she claims, as the streets were strewn with broken bottles and intoxicated visitors slept where they fell.
The real issue for the ICA is what Mrs Crowe and fellow Countrywomen’s Association witnessed, which was,
"Debauchery and depravity."
Only one newspaper article covering the Fleadh commented on the alleged drunkenness and hedonism that took place, and the Cashel ICA want to set the record straight,
We felt truthful reporting was not coming out from what was going on in Cashel.
Labhrás Ó Murchú, National President of CCÉ has heard allegations of this sort before, but maintains that the Fleadh was a success.
While some people overindulged in alcohol, the alleged antisocial behaviour was perpetrated by a small minority,
I don’t deny for a moment that you have certain things happening at Fleadhanna Cheoil that we wish weren’t happening there...
Leaving the issues of debauchery and depravity to the clergy, he praises Cashel Urban Council for their cleaning operation. The expected crowds of 30,000 which were due to attend the Fleadh resulted in the ratio of Gardaí increasing accordingly to 400, which is normal for this type of event.
The ICA has also claimed that 248 people required First Aid over the weekend, and were treated by the Red Cross. Surely this indicates that the Fleadh was not all it should be, and these ladies do in fact have a point? Labhrás Ó Murchú does not agree,
I don’t accept this as being any indication whatever that these things that the ICA claim to have happened have happened at the Fleadh Cheoil are true...
This report for ‘Newsbeat’ was broadcast on 24 June 1969. The reporter is Michael Ryan.

[@MikeCCO]

She sounds like an Irish Maggie Thatcher !! if thats poss. 'The Emerald Lady'.

[@gazzanorth4373]

Better than sounding like a culchie knuckledragger...

[@jackf59735]

The best part of this is at 0:1:50 she's asked for specific complaints about debauchery and awkwardly laughs and prevaricates because she's lying about having seen any or even knowing anyone who saw any, and then at 0:6:20 he correctly guesses (educated by experience with her sort) that the people making the complaint can't give any specifics because they weren't there to see, as they were, by her own admission, cowering in their houses, and wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near those tents.

[@seanosiridean1494]

She's not from the parish.

[@connoroleary591]

Gosh, how articulate the two people interviewed are. At ease with language and vocabulary and can speak without hesitancy.

[@Roo986]

It ok, today's youth will exceed them 🤣🤣

[@Brenden667]

I noticed the same. Public speaking and communication was an artform.

[@michaeladrian2210]

Of the two, I wish one would just go home and nap

[@davomccranko]

Many Irish people back in the day put on a 'BBC accent' when being interviewed for television. In the UK especially, but also in Ireland.

[@nomore2001]

Cultural cringe or inferiority complex i think it's called, where the colonised adopt the affect of their coloniser to appear more refined and out of embarrassment of the perceived backwardness or inferiority of their own culture.

[@nomore2001]

@Secondhand Dan The resort to allegations of projection can indicate a struck nerve and a bruised ego and be ironically guilty of its own accusation: you imply I feel the cultural inferiority complex I described, whereas in reality you seem to have found offense in OP's post and my response to him, suggesting it is you who feels personally attacked because you see yourself described in our exchange. The phenomenon I described is not limited to intercultural affect, but is also visible in relation to class. Some people adopt a "phone voice", which might be posher or more refined than their usual accent, in order to sound more "professional" or be treated better, or vice versa, adopting a more working class affect to disguise their privilege and appear more "down to earth" and also treated better, in given scenarios. These are just general observations that are widely made about things that happen sometimes, not universal statements of fact that must necessarily happen all the time, so don't upset yourself about them.

[@edwardtanner6393]

@@nomore2001 what are you talking about old bean what what what. Jolly hockey sticks with lashings of ginger beer old chap .

[@nigefal]

Half true. When you think of it those who wanted to progress in Ireland of a certain era spoke with an affected English accent. The woman would have been educated in the 1920's/30's. It was due to the education system at the time. Remember most of the Civil Service were still British. Nowadays people put on Puesdo-American accents.

[@Roo986]

@@nomore2001 Spot on

[@1seansouth]

Just a reminder that drinking pints on the street while listening to trad was considered "an orgy" in 1969. 5:38

[@johnmc3862]

Every trad session is an orgy.

[@jakmak1199]

She sounds like a blow-in to me, had to laugh when she mentioned " Debauchery in the tents "😉 bet she's never been to Slane or Lisdoon'.

[@luv2luv720]

I was laughing at her snooty self lol

[@elizabethsellors9046]

Bet she’s never been in a tent

[@nervesinapattern7261]

@@elizabethsellors9046 Hell for her is probably electric picnic

[@g.l.6045]

She could do with a good ride ,,, in a tent!

[@dibble2005]

She probably never had a man in her life.

[@bustabloodvessel5327]

"Down with that sort of thing"

[@gavinhillick]

Careful, now.

[@dacautos775]

An orange woman still in Cashel in 69

[@ShapeyFiend]

During the Celtic Tiger years the Willie Clancy festival and the Fleadhs turned into a really messy sesh rather than being much about music but given the last 12 months I've a fierce hankering for some drunken debauchery. You can always just move towards the outskirts with the musicians as these things happen.

[@Irishmuffcabbagyurt]

Cashel's very own Helen Lovejoy. Damn young people going around holding hands and the like. Nearly as bad as a women wearing skirts showing their knees.

[@BadAlBig]

Down with this sort of thing now

[@sirjellybeans6653]

Careful now!

[@BadAlBig]

@@sirjellybeans6653 it was a bit much for me, feck this and feck that, you know what I mean. Ride me sideways, that was another one.

[@mewho8814]

Ah god der was Karen's in d 60s aswell😱😱😱

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

@Rory Well why not?

[@chipsalom]

The boomers are some of the original karen templates. I mean, look at their identity crises through the decades. Hippies of the 60s are some of the most conservative, judgemental freaks of today. Sorry for overgeneralizing but you kinda end up in that place when talking Karen culture because they're such loudmouths they drown out everyone else. Let's not mention that many of the things this group bitched about were probably sourced from the very judgemental trauma their attitude created in the first place.

[@newspaperface]

Id love to give her a running dropkick to the gee.

[@jbspanish9534]

Even the Queen of England doesn't have vowels that strangulated. She sounds like of those colonial relics in Australia who hated all things australian.

[@davomccranko]

2:32 "That is one of our chief Cribs". She's low-key gangsta

[@celticphoenix2184]

Ah fake news was there in 69 too😂😂

[@johnnyfeen1347]

How was this fake news?

[@katoness]

@@johnnyfeen1347 With an accent like that, she hardly represented the community in Cashel. How about talking to the locals?

[@johnnyfeen1347]

@D C it's not presenting her opinion as fact though. Her claims are questioned and the second interviewee dismisses them.

[@PeterFlanagan0987]

@@katoness ah more people had notions back then.

[@mauricegallagher5718]

I was at that Fleadh , she doesn’t know the half of it as regards debauchery in the tents but she was wrong about everything else.

[@donalgeaney626]

What went on 😂

[@Roo986]

@@donalgeaney626 They made babies....

[@Del-yv1qy]

@@Roo986 I got buggered and loved it.

[@Roo986]

@@Del-yv1qy were you the lad with the limp?

[@cinefilmsonebay1526]

@@Roo986 He must have been buggererd hard if he was limping

[@wbafc1231]

Well I'll tell you, the debauchery and the depravity, I'd be inclined to leave to the clergy.....How right you were Labhras.

[@mojoden]

Didn't even have his tongue in his cheek.

[@margaretnesbeth593]

The honesty of the guy, " leave the debauchery and depravity to the clergy" I have not laughed so much in ages.

[@oddities-whatnot]

The woman being interviewed, the way she laughs about the debauchery, as if she secretly approves of that kind of thing haha

[@gustavmarie]

She does. She just doesnt want litter and babies after the fact

[@irishravr632]

She's mad she didn't get to join in lmao.

[@juliusilori]

It's just a 'Twinkle' ALL irish have in their eyes 😉. .....I LOVE the Irish!!.. (all ways up for the 'Craice'. .)...

[@eamonxofarrell]

How terrible to be in someone elses country, and mobs of Irish, behaving as though it was there their country.

[@finolaomurchu8217]

It would be great to travel back in time🇮🇪🧚‍♂️☘

[@charliekavanagh1217]

What was controversial about it wish we had it today

[@MrDonkeyoti]

Irish country women’s association spokeswoman is a never got a ride on a tractor Brit .haha

[@tomburnes6356]

On the ball

[@kelloscully9632]

Ahahaha...

[@Roo986]

Trying very hard to hide being Irish, silly mare....

[@tomburnes6356]

Pure Anglo Irish head on her.

[@MikeCCO]

Now now, dont blame it on the English - She does look like a very fine Irish Lady !

[@frankmcconnellogue3351]

A bit of debauchery is needed every now and then.🥳🥳🥳

[@opencurtin]

Standards were a lot higher back then when judged by todays eyes ..

[@paulgalligan1916]

Ah I love a bit of debauchery me 🤣🤣🤣 🇮🇪🤘🏻

[@MrStoneyburke]

Me and my friends went to Cashel in 1969 and had a great time,yes a lot got drunk but i did not see any fighting or serious disorder. just listen to that woman,s accent it speaks volumes

[@MrStoneyburke]

@@MrResearcher122 I cant stand her Bog Irish accent

[@irishravr632]

@@MrResearcher122 she needs to spit the marbles out of her mouth.

[@tonycurtin2376]

Can we hear your accent?

[@dhss333]

No, her accent is natural(ised) , she's presented as the 'official' educated middle class spokeswoman.

[@dellhell8842]

Ah now, sure what was wrong with a bit of ould debauchery? Depravity though, I wouldn't be having any of that!

[@irishcountrygirl78]

Down with that sort of thing...

[@dellhell8842]

@@irishcountrygirl78 Careful now.

[@JSL2000]

I'd love to have been at that festival!!

[@niallmansfield2250]

I was there,it was an occasion that is stored in my memory It was my first Fleadh and the first introduction to my own culture, it was also the place where I had another first but that's a secret. 😉

[@JSL2000]

@@niallmansfield2250 Glad you enjoyed yourself and got a bit of action along the way!

[@axlefoley8281]

The og Karen, sounds like a tan

[@gazzanorth4373]

Sober up.

[@jackf59735]

We all knew as soon as she started talking.

[@Jesse-B]

Says she with her British accent.

[@LambentIchor]

A fine example of what we called an "oul' wagon' in my day.

[@seannoslecheile960]

Good man Labhrás, what a yoke that woman was

[@1seansouth]

The debauchery and depravity I'd be inclined to leave to the Church - 6:31 Local bishop nods his head slowly.

[@AnalEyesAnalyzeAnalLiess]

I’m glad people spoke out against debauchery.

[@whutteretbrock2181]

That woman would be hard put to represent Irish culture

[@thekingofelfland3294]

Great video .Labhrás Ó Murchú with a lyrical masterpiece of a counter attack...hon the fleadh !!

[@AMan-zt8tz]

Can't believe someone actually spoke of the church like that in 1969

[@rmilrta]

What was wrong with it?

[@AMan-zt8tz]

@@rmilrta nothing, just can't believe we had people who thought publicly like that about the church in those days.

[@Sinnerboy88]

I honestly thought he meant he "would leave the debauchery to the clergy" as in he would leave it for them to deal with, kind of thing.. like, as if it was their area to say what was debauchery and what was right and wrong.. I didn't think he was saying anything about them as such.. in 1969 the church was the law of the land in Ireland.. so, if he was actually saying anything bad about them I'd say that would be the end of his career.. however, the way he said it, I thought it's possible he could have been giving a "sly dig" at them.. who knows.

[@AMan-zt8tz]

@@Sinnerboy88 absolutely

[@Sinnerboy88]

@@AMan-zt8tz Yes, great video anyways. I really enjoy the stuff this uploader posts. Priceless really.. even old news recordings from these days, watching today it's like a time machine. Are you from Ireland yourself? Thank you and best wishes.

[@stevenfielden8955]

She saw the debauchery with her 'own eyes'; - and she didn't look away... she knows all about debauchery doesn't she?

[@moneymandan6217]

She was flicking the bean off herself watching it

[@irishravr632]

@@moneymandan6217 lmfao.

[@georgel74]

Sounds like a great festival..

[@robertsossi3186]

Just spotted a couple of Rockwell lads, bunking off school no doubt. LOL!!

[@stephenryan7855]

Another fascinating video of our past. I am wondering what her background is. I don't know if her accent is genuine or is put on

[@fortroadmassive4095]

Then came Féile!!

[@kwaktots]

Hahaha ruined my life...turned me into a boheme thank God

[@jaqian]

The Trip to Tipp. The was amazing

[@heggy_69]

Oh man, no one tell her what's happening over in Woodstock. She'd have a heart attack

[@stephenryan7855]

I was thinking🤣

[@jamesfagan7823]

Gaelic Woodstock

[@johnkeogh8163]

I see it is still going throughout the country but not back in Cashel.

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

Down with that sort of thing... Careful now.

[@jfurl5900]

I thought she was going to say. " I am unanimous in my decision"

[@nervesinapattern7261]

Wait till they see the state of Galway during Donegal Tuesday

[@df289]

i was 3 years old when tip was shock

[@bruce8429]

Oh the hippie influencers of 1969

[@douglasschaden3475]

@6:27 "Well, the debauchery and the depravity I'd leave to the clergy. That's more their work."

[@georgel74]

She lived a very sheltered life.. 😁

[@Kitiwake]

She has a point.

[@jackf59735]

@@Kitiwake yeah, and her point is bad.

[@stephenryan7855]

0:32 John Lennons Long Lost Tipperary Twin!

[@lordred4116]

Down with this type of thing!

[@johnkeating4221]

One has to wonder what went on in the minds of those ICA women.

[@eddieomordha9718]

More like CIA 😂

[@seandelap6268]

Is the interviewer a younger Michael Ryan it sure looks and sounds like him.

[@e23779]

It’s no fake accent, she’s just a rich Protestant

[@michaelburgess6556]

Is that a Tipp accent?

[@damianflanagan7359]

No it’s not a Tipp accent..

[@sentimentaloldme]

@@jpmcmotor6890 A female Jackie Healy Rea...

[@katoness]

Ole Dan Breen would have had said a few things about that accent!! Ole Wagon.

[@user-jq1ie7iy6s]

Michael Crowe ᄊc how’s it going lad

[@paulgray5923]

no this is a tipp accent... aj jaysssus . aghg dtydvcuuioxutztztxtctivttvvvvvvutkuvt . Wha? yvtyutvyuvtytvuyyuvuryuvytbtbtytb.. its not an accent. its not a dialect .. its a total different language !

[@gtommy67]

she must havebeen jealous

[@Genetulsa1]

Another great upload

[@redchristy]

Debauchery and depravity no less 😳

[@cinefilmsonebay1526]

Shame theres not more like her around now with all the sickening depravity and depauchery everywhere

[@matthewgorman1307]

Bring it back now with the bypass. Her accent is a bit big house of which the cashel environs have plenty. Cashel abú.

[@Ard-mhacha-abu]

People having fun...disgraceful

[@johntelling26]

Tunbridge Wells on any Saturday evening.

[@erikm8372]

Unfortunately, in today's world, one of the main Irish pub music sessions in San Diego, CA was called off due to drunks downtown. A mixture of tourists, sailors, transients, travelers, and some locals. All loud, ignorant and, at times, bothering the musicians. Trying to play our instruments when they're drunk, singing loudly.. and rudely even. Talking to us while we're in the middle of playing. Just annoying. I lived in Ireland for a year and people don't get trashy drunk. Ok, well sometimes they do, yet it's in a self-controlled way. You can't tell Irish people are drunk, 99% of the time. There is the one percent. Haha. But Americans get "fucked up" and "wasted" when we go out: we go OUT..

[@moneymandan6217]

That was me pulling the box out of a young wan at the start of the clip

[@patrickambrose5372]

Lol lol!

[@MB-pe1dw]

Some women showed a bit of leg. Disgraceful by Irish standards

[@FromCouchto]

Now all she would have to ask is if they are insured!

[@roleat]

Without women like her nothing would stay in check.

[@dhss333]

A handsome woman, all the same. I'd like to bring her to a plateau >>>> peak of passion.

[@CamStLouis]

Lol the first tune is "The High Reel"

[@niallsmith6650]

She speaks with an English accent. Who is this person. Its an Irish tradition.. We are Irish in Ireland.. Also she is very annoying to listen to.. Some words I never ever heard before 🇮🇪🙄

[@baliksupper6043]

Irish Mary Whitehouse!!

[@gyorkshire257]

The legions of something or other...

[@karlt1180]

3:46 "The howwwling of the crowwwd"

[@jackf59735]

You can tell that she's wonderfully titillated but it all. They're far too repressed to participate, so talking about it like she is, especially in meetings with their friends, is how they experience it vicariously.

[@baizhanghuaihai2298]

Jaysus if only the big fleadh was still like this! Woooot!!!

[@RawHeadRay]

@5:23 with her fake English posh accent she admits shell use propaganda if she has to stop Irish people from having fun.

[@gazzanorth4373]

Just because she doesnt sound like the village idiot doesnt make her any less Irish.

[@FBICPS]

Disgraceful behaviour

[@softwaretechnologyengineering]

The pioneer Karen

[@abitdazed]

omg, shes fucking raging! Watch the eyes blink menacingly lol

[@garydavid1788]

..... obviouslya very superior type of human being compared to us riffraff !

[@jamescollinsireland8629]

He sounded like a real journalist......ahh the old days.

[@patrickball2493]

He is the man who used present nationwide.

[@apjpisared]

Sadly I have never been to any festivals like this, nothing bigger than a gig with a few hundred people or a club, as I used to spend all my money on GAA and Ireland football tickets. However jaysus it would make you glad you weren't around in 1969. That lad in the last 3 mins got a lot less air time but himself and the journalist were right-middle aged women with medieval values who never leave their villages and like to politburo local politics by committee will never tolerate social life or public festivals. Sure look at the same types now, in their seventies and eighties, they can't even tolerate an apartment building down the road FFS cos it'd drive down the value of their own overpriced crapholes. Sure when that lady was growing up in the 1930's she'd probably have been whipped by her Da or made shovel shite for a week for kissing a boy, no wonder she's so agitated as that fella said about what even back then was a normal once a year event.

[@charliecroker6445]

Is this the Irish version of Mary whitehouse

[@iseegoodandbad6758]

People had great skin and features then as most were breastfed as infants and fed a boring but organic diet!!

[@Kitiwake]

The fleadh isn't like that now.

[@seandelap6268]

Why does she sound like Margaret Thatcher.

[@bruce8429]

Did she see the faeries and pixies too. Come on reporter.

[@irish5043]

even Karen's were around back then

[@elizabethsellors9046]

She’s bitter because she wasn’t invited but her hairdresser was hence she’s never had a decent hairstyle since.

[@mkAYY825]

what a yoke

[@petergannon3752]

For fuck sakes

[@g.l.6045]

An old Crowe.

[@Gilloringsend]

Bending over backwards 😀

[@headgroundsman1650]

00:41...condoms?...the dirty feckers

[@johnmorrissey2124]

what load bull rip

[@gearoiddom]

01:33 Is that Tom Waits?