Huge congratulations to all our competitors at the Ulster Fleadh in Dromore last weekend. We think it’s our most successful ever in terms of results with no less than three of our tin whistle players qualifying for the All-Ireland Fleadh next month. All three achieved third place with recommendations that they progress to compete in Sligo. They are Padraig Mullan (U-12 whistle), Ellie Conway (U-12 whistle slow air) and Caoimhe O’Kane (12-15 whistle). Our other solo qualifier was Roise McCloy (pictured) who was awarded third place in U-12 piano, again with a recommendation that she goes on to play at the All-Ireland.
Other participants in solo competitions were Caitriona Lagan, Caoimhe Purvis and Patrick Magee, all of whom acquitted themselves well and weren’t out of place on the Ulster stage.
In group competitions, Caoimhe Purvis and Patrick Magee qualified as members of the Ceoltoiri Crosskeys 15-18 Grupa Ceoil who finished third in their competition while Caoimhe O’Kane (pictured here with some of her fellow band members) was in the 12-15 Ceili Band from Ceoltoiri Crosskeys who were crowned Ulster champions on Saturday evening. Other participants in group competitions were Brian Magee, Ellie Conway and Caitriona Lagan who played at their first Ulster Fleadh as part of the Ceoltoiri Crosskeys U-12 Grupa Ceoil – we’re sure they’ll be back again next year!
Apologies if I’ve omitted anybody – let me know and I’ll edit accordingly.
Well done, also, to the Dromore branch of CCE and all those involved in the organisation and efficient running of the fleadh.
Finally, the best of luck to all those from each of the nine counties who qualified to represent Ulster in two weeks time.
A full list of results from the fleadh can be found at http://www.ulsterfleadh.com/results/
