Yes, I too remember ingenious workarounds designed to defeat the restrictive licencing laws that once prevailed in the north. (It's not just a six-counties thing. I also remember when a legal pint could not he had after 10pm in Edinburgh, even during the festival weeks.)

And yes, Fliss, I was reminded about Ballina's bid soon after I posted. They will be strong contenders. But Letterkenny has put together an impressive package and will make much of the fact that the fleadh hasn't been back to Ulster since Buncrana 20-something years ago.

What's the Lichfield session like, and where is Jackfield? I'm usually in north Notts, but I get up and down the A38 a fair bit.