GALLERY: Westmeath enjoys huge success at Leinster Fleadh in Wicklow
By Shane King
Local traditional musicians and dancers enjoyed huge success at the Leinster Fleadh, which was held in Wicklow town from July 12-14.
A record-breaking 2,100 competitors took part in the competitions and despite very stiff competition, it resulted in a very successful weekend for Westmeath with a large collection of silverware making its way home to the midlands.
The Leinster competition is the biggest fleadh on the Comhaltas calendar with 12 counties participating. The event attracts the best musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers from across the province making it an entertaining weekend of action.
Competitions got underway on the Friday with ceili, set and sean-nós dancing taking place at various venues. The Lake County showed their strength in these categories and secured many titles along the way.
Jigs and reels could be heard around every corner in Coláiste Cill Mhantáin on the Saturday and Sunday, where the music competitions were being held. The quality of music on display was excellent and Westmeath had some big winners in both the junior and senior ranks.
Castletown Geoghegan CCÉ had gold medalists with Thomas Reynolds in the U12 banjo and Therese Daly winning the 12-15 whistle. The Dunleavy sisters Anna and Aoife, representing Ballynacargy CCÉ, both claimed the top prize in the mandolin U12 and 12-15 categories respectively. Maeve Molloy, also from Ballynacargy CCÉ, was the winner of the senior flute slow airs.
Westmeath continued its strong tradition in singing with gold, silver and bronze medals being won in numerous age categories. Notably, Ballinagore’s Shane Herarty retained his title in the hotly contested senior men’s English singing competition, earning himself a place in yet another national final.
The grúpa ceoil competition is regarded as one of the best competitions at the Fleadh Cheoil with very high standards of music on display. Mullingar CCÉ had three groups competing in the U12, 12-15 and 15-18 age categories. Despite giving excellent performances the competition was fierce and the groups from Wexford claimed the top honours.
Ballynacargy CCÉ were competing in the senior grúpa ceoil competition this year for the first time, with a very young group. Under the mentorship of Aine Ní Raghallaigh the group delivered a stellar performance. The young musicians played a fine suite of music for the eight minutes allowed in front of a large crowd in the Coláiste Cill Mhantáin sports hall.
Following a very entertaining contest the call clerk announced second place was awarded to the Ballynacargy group and a place in the All-Ireland final at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
The céilí band is yet another top-class competition and two bands flew the maroon and white flag. The Moate Céilí Band took to the stage in the U12 category and wowed the crowd with their set of tunes. Despite a flawless performance the adjudicators chose the bands from Wexford and Laois as the prize winners.
The Templeoran Céilí Band were the final group to take the stage in the prestigious senior céilí bands competition. The young outfit, who were on a high following their grúpa ceoil success earlier in the day, performed a lively set of tunes very well. It wasn’t to be on the day for this young band as Ard Eiscir from Offaly were the eventual winners, following a fantastic competition.
The focus now turns to the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann taking place in Wexford in a few weeks time, where a large Westmeath contingent will travel to the sunny south east in the hope of claiming national glory.