ALL IRELAND CHAMPION

THERE was much to celebrate this week as Comhaltas groups around the county collected accolades in a wide variety of competitions at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Finals held in Ennis.

Some 400,000 trad lovers flocked to the town for a week of craic, ceol and competition with the county’s finest performers picking up some silverware in flute an fiddle competitions as well as set and céilí finals.

Treacy’s West County Hotel pulsed with rhythm as Freemount and Millstreet Comhaltas groups stormed the stage to claim silver and bronze medals in both set and céilí dancing competitions.

There was further success for Freemount in the céilí band competitions as Shandrum Céilí Band and Crossfields Céilí Band picked up gold in the over 18 category and the 15-18 category respectively. Crossfields also added an under 12 bronze medal to their collection.

Meanwhile, CCÉ Ballincollig also displayed the immense talent to be found in the area with one performer in particular picking up three medals. Talented teen Shane Scanlon won bronze in the banjo and miscellaneous finals and also bagged silver in the mandolin competition.

Cillian Ó Cathasaigh also prospered for the Comhaltas group with a silver and a bronze medal in two separate fiddle competitions. Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin of Fermoy claimed silver after her stunning performance in the sean nós singing competition while Mallow’s Tadg de Nógla earned silver in the senior mouth organ competition.

Comhaltas groups around the county will now take a well deserved break before preparations begin again for next year’s All Irelands which are scheduled to return to Ennis.

Eimhear Ni Fhlannabhra from Rockchapel who came first in the Whistle U-12 category and first in the Irish Singing U-12 category at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis last weekend

Diarmuid O Meachair of Cuil Aodha, who came first, in the Melodeon Senior category at the 2016 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Leah Murphy, Rathcoole, third in the Miscellanous 12-15.

William O’Connell, Ballyvourney, second in the Comhra U-18.

Cillian O Cathasaigh, Ballincollig, who came second, in the Fiddle U-12 and third in the Fiddle Slow Airs U-12 categories.