One of Ireland's biggest traditional music festivals kicked off in Portlaoise today, unveiling a seven-day line-up of more than 600 musicians in over 20 venues.
The international Celtic showcase will be filled with competitions, masterclasses, ceilis, theatre and an arts and crafts fair and will be held in a custom built festival village.
Headliners include some of the best traditional musicians in the business along with world names such as Katie Melua, Deacon Blue and the Proclaimers.
The Fleadh will also boast the largest ever scheduled Irish session trail, with venues across the midlands town taking place.
Festival Director Eric Cunningham said: "The scheduled session trail is a vital part of our programme of events as we wish to ensure that from the first day of the festival until the last, visitors to the festival have a choice of scheduled events right throughout the week.
"Irish traditional music is at the core of what this festival is about and if last year's trail is anything to go by this year's sessions will be fantastic."
To facilitate the anticipated large numbers, a special 1,500-seater dome, a 5,000 capacity arena, an open air stage and a Festival Village was erected for the event. In light of the recent bad weather though, organisers announced last week that many of the outdoor concerts have been moved under cover.
One of the big highlights of this year's event is the World Fleadh Market, which will see stallholders from around the country as well as from Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, Africa and the UK.
The market will showcase a wide variety of exotic foods, including olive oils, pastries, breads, chocolates, seafood, cheeses and cold meats.
In addition to the gourmet foods there will be an array of international crafts on sale including soaps, candles, seaweed cosmetics, Irish crafts and jewellery, funky T-shirts, crystals, and Ecuadorian crafts.
Further information on the Fleadh can be found at www.theworldfleadh.com.