Musicians, singers and storytellers shine at All-Ireland Fleadh

THE All-Ireland Fleadh took place in the beautiful town of Wexford at the start of August and, as ever, scores of musicians from Scotland were taking part in some form. Many musicians, singers and storytellers from Scotland were competing, having qualified from the All-Britain Fleadh in June. It was clear, though, from early on Friday that this was going to be a fleadh to remember as the results just kept on coming.

The All-Ireland Fleadh is the absolute pinnacle of traditional music with competitors coming from literally all over the world in the hope of being proclaimed an All-Ireland Champion—and even just making it that far through the qualifiers is in itself a huge achievement.

Once the competitions had finally concluded on the Sunday evening and we were able to take stock, an incredible 17 medals had made their way to Scotland from the fleadh.

Starting with the Under 12s, Beth McAlaney was crowned All-Ireland Champion in the prestigious fiddle competition and Dominic Smith joined her on the Mandolin as U12 All-Ireland champion alongside a second place in the Banjo competition. Dominic’s brother, Nicholas, also took a third place in the Concertina competition —a very talented family! Bronagh McKnight won an incredible three medals taking second place in the Whistle and Flute Slow Airs and a third in the U12 Flute competition and Tilly Hughes came second in the U12 Whistling competition. Also a huge congratulations to Jessica McWilliams who was placed second in U12 accompaniment on piano from the Irish Minstrels branch—a massive achievement!

In the 12-15 age categories Alexandra Smith—yes you guessed it, from the same Smith family—took the Whistle title and a third place in the Whistle Slow Airs, and Isla Mulloy (above) also won in the Piano Accordion. On the same instrument Harry Macdonald took a third place. Owen O’Connor took a second place medal in the Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs competition and Isla Smith also finished second in the Accompaniment.

Not to be outdone by the youngsters, Scotland also saw success in the senior competition with Phil Westwell adding to his titles in winning the Senior Whistling competition. Micheal O’Grianna came third place in the Senior Storytelling competition and Calum McGregor also took a third in the Accompaniment—what an incredible haul of medals for Scotland!

The fleadh, however, is much more than just a competition and at this year’s Fleadh ‘Ceol le Cheile’ the youth orchestra from Britain made their debut performances.

The orchestra is the brainchild of youth officer Calum McGregor—previously mentioned—and has brought musicians from across Britain together under the musical leadership of Hugh Sheehan. The orchestra had a residential rehearsal weekend in Dublin recently and went on to showcase the fruits of their labour in a sell-out performance at the international showcase concert in Wexford Opera House.

This experience has certainly whet the appetite of the musicians involved and the Ceol le Cheile team are busy working on future performances.

Now the fleadh is gone, attention turns to next year and what’s to come. With the next generation of musicians starting their journey at classes from this month and others who have more experience looking on towards the All-Ireland, which next year will take up residence in Belfast.

Will Scotland build on the unprecedented success from this year? Watch this space!

Paddy Callaghan is the Operations Manager of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Britain. You can follow him on Twitter: @paddy_box and Instagram: paddy_box and contact him via e-mail at: paddy@comhaltas.co.uk