Ballymena Festival 2019

Over twenty of our young musicians made the annual trip to Ballymena Festival on Saturday, 16th February, and had a very successful day. Our young traditional group (captured above during a practice and minus a couple of members) played exceptionally well and were awarded 2nd place while we also had a large number of prizewinners in solo competitions. Congratulations to everyone who took part – a full list of our prizewinners is given below. Pictures of some of our solo prizewinners can be viewed at the bottom of this report or on our Gallery page.

Traditional Group, Primary School age
2nd: Newbridge CCÉ

Traditional Singing, Primary School age
2nd: Éabha Walls

Tin Whistle, Primary 1-4
1st: Cora McPeake
2nd: Katherine Kealey
Highly Commended: Darcy Donnelly

Tin Whistle Primary 5-7
1st: Valentino Lupari
2nd: Peadar O’Neill

Miscellaneous Instruments, Primary School age
1st: Annie Diamond (piano)
2nd: Ava McPeake (concertina)
2nd: Siobhan Magee (concertina)

Harp,Primary School age
3rd: Katherine Kealey
3rd: Annie Diamond

Solo Flute, 14 years and under
1st: Roise McCloy

Tin Whistle, Post Primary and under 14 years
1st: Roise McCloy

Miscellaneous instruments, Post Primary and under 14 years
1st: Roise McCloy (piano) 
2nd: Brídín Níg Ráine (concertina)

Banjo/Mandolin, Post Primary age
1st: Caitríona Lagan

Miscellaneous Instruments, 14 years to Adult
2nd: Brian Magee

Slow Air – Any instrument, Post Primary and under 14 years.
2nd: Roise McCloy

Roise McCloy also received the Roisin McCloskey Award, presented to the most outstanding tin whistle player at the festival.