Kerry Fleadh ad on Set Dancing causing controvvery

Uproar in Kerry as fleadh goes 'sets mad'

By Anne Lucey

Wednesday July 16 2008

"We are sets mad down here". There'll be "straight sets, illicit sets, wild sets, casual sets, gay sets, unprotected sets -- whatever turns you on!'

So goes a radio advert for the normally conservative Munster Fleadh Cheoil.

The advertisement has caused uproar in Kerry, where some listeners claim the ad has left them confused.

The advertisement's creator is Nick Ryan, honorary public relations officer for the fleadh. Some 30 years ago he created the 'Just One Cornetto' ice cream jingle, one of the most popular ever.

Now living in Kenmare, Mr Ryan, who plays traditional music locally, said he tried to liven up news of the Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2008.

Amusing

"At the end of the day it was just an amusing way to present a fleadh, rather than just the usual 'diddle-da' advertisement," he said.

John Greene, a presenter with Radio Kerry, says the radio has had "an unmerciful amount" of text messages and calls about the advertisement, but only about half are complaints. Other calls are defending it and seeing it as a bit of a laugh. Radio Kerry is to continue running the ad.

- Anne Lucey