Meath winners as Fleadh draws 250,000 to Cavan

There were a number of Meath prize winners at the 60th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which was held in Cavan over the weekend. It was an exciting and successful weekend of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more as the Fleadh was celebrated by 250,000 people. The Fleadh which was last held in Cavan in 1954, is one of the premier cultural events in Europe and this year was no different as the festival provided a feast of music, song and dance with an electric atmosphere of 'craic agus ceol'. The key events of the Fleadh are the competitions with traditional musicians of all ages and backgrounds competing at regional level throughout the year for an opportunity to participate in the All Ireland. The standards were high and the music more than lived up to the expectations of judges and choosing winners for each category and competition was no easy task. Meath winners included Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, from CCÉ Baile Átha Troim, who got second prize in the Songs in Irish (Ladies) category (15-18) and Máire Nic Gabhann from CCÉ Tlachtga who was third in the Songs in Irish (Ladies) Under 12 competition. Aoibheann O'Reilly, from CCÉ O'Carolan Branch was third place winners in the Fiddle Slow Airs Under-12 competition and Tara Canny from CCÉ Tlachtga, came third in the Under-12 Lilting competiton. Kentstown Accordian Band came third in the Under-18 accordian band category and Eamon " Donnchadha from CCÉ Tlachtga came second in the Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (12-15) competition. President of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Séamus Mac Cormaic, extended his heart felt congratulations to all of the competitors, organising committee and noted that they have "taken the standard of Irish traditional music to a new level." He concluded that it was delightful to see so many young people at the festival this year "proving that the passion for traditional culture, song, dance and Irish language is as strong as ever." The week leading up to the Fleadh included Scoil Éigse, which was comprised of a week of workshops and classes of Irish traditional music, song and dance. For all the results and further details on the Fleadh, the competitions and the entertainment, see www.fleadh2010.ie.