Musicians and speakers win prizes at the Fleadh

FOUR County Wicklow musicians and speakers took home prizes from the Comhaltas All-Ireland Fleadh Choil in Drogheda.

Eabha Ó Céidigh-Hayes of Bray took second place in Scéalaíocht/Storytelling in the 12-15 years category.

Also representing CCÉ Bray, Aoife Ní Bhriain won second place in Comhrá Gaeilg (13-15 years).

For Amhránaíocht ar an Sean Nós (Mná)/ Irish singing (ladies), Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin of Greystones CCÉ won third place.

Denis Nolan of CCÉ Anne Devlin won third place in the adult Orgán Béil category.

It was an exciting and successful week of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more at the 2018 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Half a million people thronged the streets of Drogheda over eight days, while tens of thousands of people attended the special opening by President Michael D Higgins.

At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers, singers and story tellers competing at All-Ireland level, following victories at regional competitions.

This year over 7,000 competitors played, sang or danced for All-Ireland titles in 180 competitions. The standards were high and the music more than lived up to the expectations of judges, who had a very difficult job choosing winners for each category and competition.

The town pulsed with Irish rhythm and revelry as age-old traditions were celebrated by new generations and the vibrancy of the Fleadh emanated throughout the streets. Each year the Fleadh provides a cultural meeting place for those who carry the great traditions of Irish music, song and dance in their hearts.Fleadh

Dr Labhras Ó’Murchú of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann said that this year saw possibly the largest attendance in the history of the Fleadh Cheoil.

People from countries such as Japan, America, Britain and Australia also attended the event.

Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with almost 900 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.