Success for Comhaltas groups at All-Ireland Fleadh in County Clare

SUCCESS once again followed the county to Ennis last week as Kerry Comhaltas groups picked up 38 accolades at the All-Ireland fleadh competitions held in Ennis from Sunday, August 14 to Monday 22.

Although much of the week was a complete wash out and upset some of the street performances, there was much to smile about for Kerry as representatives collectively gathered 17 golds, 8 silver and 13 bronze medals in a variety of fields from céilí and set dancing to fiddle and flute competitions.

It was a momentous week for CCÉ Killarney Spa with the club claiming honours in several dancing events including two silvers in the under 12 ladies four hand and senior mixed set. Emotions were high as they also stormed the under 15 full set mixed and the senior half set competitions earning gold in both.

Kilcummin dancers retained their under 18 set dancing title and also claimed another half set title over the weekend while the senior ladies picked up bronze.

Youngster Seán Ó Caoimh beat off stiff competition in the sean nós competition to bring his first All Ireland title home to Gneeveguilla.

It was Darragh Curtin from Brosna however who made history at the fleadh picking up first place in the over 18 fiddle competition – a feat that no Kerry performer has achieved since the competition began in 1951.

Darragh’s brother, Gearóid also brought a gold home to Brosna after winning the All-Ireland Banjo Final while Cailín Ó Sé of CCÉ Sliabh Mish bagged the gold in the flute slow airs competition.

There was also joy for CCÉ Ballylongford/Tarbert with one musician in particular dominating the trad competitions. Timmy Flaherty won gold in the banjo and mandolin competitions and was also presented with silver in the uilleann pipes final.

CCÉ Lixnaw displayed a wide range of talent with Donagh McElligott winning the lilting final and Orla O’Connor placing second in the fiddle competition.

There was delight for Kieran Mackessy from CCÉ Ballydonoghue/Lisselton after a stunning performance in the under 12 melodeon competition bagged him a gold medal.

Comhaltas groups around the country will take a well deserved break now until preparations start again for next year’s All Ireland which is scheduled to return to Ennis.

Photograph by Loretto O’Loughlin Ali Cahill, Saoirse Cahill and Conor Heaphy of Listowel, Kerry, who came third in the Trio U-15 category at the 2016 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Spa U15 Full Set Mixed gold medallists: Gary O’Sullivan, Liam Spillane, Christopher Carey and Cian O’Sullivan, Orlaith Spillane, Meghann Cronin, Shona Murphy and Erin Holland

Photograph by Loretto O’Loughlin Alannah Kissane, Lisa Mulvihill and Nicole Ni Dhubhshlaine of Kerry, who came third in the Senior Trio category at the 2016 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Gold Medal winners for Spa in O35 Half Mixed Set were Josie Murphy, Mary Philpott, Tom O’Sulllivan and Tom Kearney

John Power of Sliabh Mish, Kerry, who came first in the Songs In English/Mens age 12 to 15 category

Photograph by Loretto O’Loughlin Gearoid Curtin came first, in the senior banjo category at the 2016 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Kieran Mac Kessy of Listowel, Kerry, who came first, in the Melodeon U-12 category

Timmy Flannery of Moyvane, Kerry, who came first, in the Banjo and Mandolen age 15 to 18 categories