Mayo competitors among winners at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

OVER 6,000 competitors from all over Ireland and beyond took part in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford last week with a number of Mayo participants coming home with medals.

A record 800,000 people was estimated to have travelled to the sunny south-east to take part and enjoy Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which is hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and a celebration of Irish music, culture and the language.

A number of Mayo participants took part in competitions over the eight days of the fleadh and a number of them were crowned All-Ireland champions.

One of the youngest Mayo winners was Ailbhe De Róiste from CCÉ, Craobh Iorrais, who won the under nine Comhrá Gaeilge while Conn Ó hIomhar who is also from the Craobh Iorrais branch came second in the same competition.

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Another young winner was John Greene from CCÉ, Michael Davitt in Swinford who came first in the 12-15 year old category for the Flute Slow Airs while Mícheál Mac Éil, representing CCÉ, Admiral Brown in Foxford came first in the under 12 Whistle Slow Airs,

There was plenty All-Ireland success for CCÉ, Caislean an Bharraigh, with Áine Fox, Aodhán Hughes, Cathal Walsh the winners in the Over 18 Ceol Trír / Trios; Nicole Kilkenny coming out on top in the Accompaniment (15-18) and Cian Kilkenny coming first in the over 18 Flute competition. There were second places for Líadan Siggins, Muireann Nic Aodhgáin, Tríona Ní Shé in the under 12 Ceol Trír / Trios; Darragh Mac Dúnsléibhe for Miscellaneous (O18); Rolling Waves in the Grúpaí Ceoil (12-15) and over 18 categories; Saoirse Moran in the Fiddle Slow Airs (15-18); Aodhán Hughes in the Banjo (O18); Cathal Ó Clochartaigh in Sean Nós singing (12-15) and Cathal Walsh in the Button Accordion (O18).

Martin Woods of CCÉ, Michael Davitt, was first in the Banjo for 15 to 18 year olds while Oisin O'Donnell of CCÉ, Bofield had a very productive fleadh coming in first in the Flute Slow Airs for 15 to 18 years olds, second in whistling and third in lilting.

John Devanney, representing CCÉ, Sheosamh Mhic Ghabhann from Kilmovee was first in the over 18 Harp Slow Airs competition while the Glór na dTonn Céilí Band representing CCÉ, Scoil Acla were the winners of the over 18 Céilí Band category

There were second places for Eilidh Jackson of CCÉ, Ballindine in the Piano competition (12-15); Seán Holmes of CCÉ, Admiral Brown in the Mouth Organ (12-15); Cillian Gallagher of CCÉ, Cleary Coyne, Claremorris in the Melodeon (15-18); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ, Bofield in the Irish Harp (15-18); Conor Ó Sionnaigh of CCÉ, Admiral Brown in Amhráin Bhéarla (Fir) (15-18); Julian Hopkins of CCÉ, Admiral Brown in the Storytelling (Faoi 12); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ, Bofield in Harp Slow Airs (15-18); while CCÉ, Cuilmore, Newport were second in both the Full Set, Ladies (Faoi 12) and the Full Set, Ladies (15-18).

There were third place finishes for Nell Ní Mhongáin of CCÉ, Craobh Iorrais in Sean Nós singing (Faoi 12); Peadar Ó Sionnaigh - CCÉ, Admiral Brown in Rince ar an Sean-Nós (O18); Lucy Canny of CCÉ Cleary Coyne in Irish Harp (Faoi 12); Padraig Maonghaile O'Caoimh, representing CCÉ, Bofield in the Uilleann Pipes (Faoi 12) and Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (Faoi 12); Emily Rooney of CCÉ Sheosamh Mhic Ghabhann in Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) (O18); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ Bofield in the Piano (15-18); Oonagh Kelly of CCÉ Cleary Coyne in the Harp Slow Airs (Faoi 12); Cora Ní Neachtain of CCÉ Bofield in the Comhrá Gaeilge (11-13); Emer de Róiste of CCÉ Craobh Iorrais Scéalaíocht (Faoi 12); Saoirse Moran of CCÉ Caisleán an Bharraigh in the Harp Slow Airs (15-18).