The Maurice O’Keeffe Fiddle Fest goes with a swing in Kiskeam

MAURICE O’KEEFFE MADE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE

THE 16th annual Maurice O’Keeffe traditional music Festival and the first following the recent passing of Maurice took place in Kiskeam and Ballydesmond over the Easter weekend. It was a poignant and emotional occasion for his family, friends, and those who loved and emulated his wonderful style of music.

The four day event saw talented musicians from all over Ireland and abroad perform at a series of events both in Ballydesmond and Kiskeam with a well attended Céilí getting the music and dancing off to a flying start in Ballydesmond Community Centre on Friday night.

Young musicians from throughout Cork and Kerry competed in the traditional Fiddle Competition in Kiskeam Community Centre on Saturday. The overall winner was Leah Murphy from Rathcoole who was presented with the Maurice O’ Keeffe Perpetual Cup by Maurice’s daughter Sheila O’ Shea. The competition was adjudicated by Sheila O’ Flynn and John Coakley who urged the young competitors to attend as many of the live sessions as they could over the weekend; “You can learn a lot by listening to the older musicians, go to the sessions and soak up the music, the Sliabh Luachra style is very distinctive, full of life and energy” John said.

On Saturday night, local young musicians performed at the Ceolchoirim na nÓg event in Kiskeam Community Centre, while on Sunday night noted musicians took to the stage for the Sliabh Luachra Concert where Dan Herlihy from Ballydesmond was honoured for his life long dedication to traditional music.

Robert Fell playing at the Sliabh Luachra Bar in Ballydesmond during the Maurice O’ Keeffe traditional music weekend. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

RIGHT: U21 winners in the Fiddle Competition at the Maurice O’ Keeffe traditional music weekend in Kiskeam were Leah Murphy, Rathcoole (1st), and Anna Buckley, Rathcoole (2nd), pictured with Sheila O’ Shea, and Adjudicators Sheila O’ Flynn and John...

U15 winners in the Fiddle Competition at the Maurice O’ Keeffe traditional music weekend in Kiskeam were Maeve O’ Connell, Kilnamartyra (1st), Sadhbh O’ Connor, Cullen (2nd), and Claire Lyons, Banteer (3rd), pictured with Sheila O’ Shea, and...

LEFT: U12 winners in the Fiddle Competition at the Maurice O’ Keeffe traditional music weekend in Kiskeam were Kelly Casey, Monagea (1st), Emma Kelly, Newmarket (2nd), and Clara O’ Connor, Cullen (3rd), pictured with Sheila O’ Shea, and Adjudicators...

Sheila O’ Shea and Jer O’ Connor making a presentation to Dan Herlihy, Ballydesmond, at the Maurice O’ Keeffe Festival in Kiskeam Community Centre, in recognition of his contribution to traditional Sliabh Luachra Music over the years.

Sheila O’ Shea presenting the Maurice O’ Keeffe Perpetual Trophy to Leah Murphy, Rathcoole, who was the overall winner of the Fiddle Competition at the Maurice O’ Keeffe traditional music weekend in Kiskeam.