Silverware haul for Tuaisceart
THREE UNDERAGE CÉILÍ BANDS TAKE GOLD, AS DOES SENIOR GRÚPA CHEOIL
THE Tuaisceart Loch Garman branch of Comhaltas had its most successful Leinster Fleadh in its six year history recently.
The musicians came back to North Wexford from Ballymahon in Co Longford with first place prizes in the céilí band competition at U-12, U-15, and U-18 level, and first in the grúpa cheoil competition at senior level. They go on to represent their county and province at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann this month where it’s hoped they will get more silverware.
‘We’re thrilled,’ said Tuaisceart chairperson Sinead Tobin. ‘We hoped that one or two groups would go through but didn’t think we’d have four champions. It was our first year ever entering the senior section of the grúpa cheoil, and to win it was such a huge shock.’
She congratulated neighbouring CCÉ branch, Gorey Ballygarrett, for its third place in the U-12 grúpa cheoil.
The Tuaisceart members also had solo success. These included: Caoimhe Mellon, first in senior flute, slow airs, and third in senior flute; James and Fiona Doyle and Aoife McGonigle, first in U-15 trio; Conor Moore, first in senior céilí drums, and in bodhrán; Paddy Doyle, second in U-18 céilí drums; Thomas Tobin, second in U-15 céilí drums; Ava Redmond, second in U-12 piano; Katie Cunningham, second in U-15 accompaniment, and third in U-15 piano accordion; James and Fiona Doyle, third in U-15 duet; and Jenna Cullen, third in U-12 girls’ Irish singing.