St Pat’s students hit the high notes at major interschools music festival
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The winning traditional music group with their teacher and mentor Ciarán Tackney (back left). Also at back (from left): Sean Galligan, Diarmuid Martin, Aaron O’Gorman, Oisín Flynn, Rowan Davis and Ruairí Griffin; front, Ultan O’Reilly, Louis McEntee, Caolan Briody, Eoghan McGovern, Lorcan Lynch and Senan Lynch.Image 2 of 11
Aaron O’ Gorman and Diarmaid Martin accepting the 1st prize in the traditional Irish group competition for the fourth time for St Patrick’s College from adjudicator Robert Harvey.Image 3 of 11
The St Patrick’s College Orchestra, which took second place in the competition. Front (from left): Rowan Davis, Joseph Jordan, John Kelly, James Muldoon, Caolán Briody, Eoghan McGovern, Egors Socnev, Lorcan Lynch, Josh Jorvina, Ollie Rafferty, Killian Leddy, Ryan Leddy, Senán Lynch and Peter Flynn; 2nd row, Music teacher Ciarán Tackney, Shane Galligan, Oisín Hilton, Rónán O’Meara, Peter Muldoon, Louis McEntee, Diarmuid Murphy, Michael Mulfaul, Sean Galligan, Oisín Flynn, Aaron O’ Gorman, Diarmaid Martin, Ryan Hand, Charlie Flynn, Caoimhín Cryan, Jay Newman, Odhran McKernan, Eoín Smith, Ryan McGovern and Alexander Gerins. Absent from photo: Senan Burke, Eoghan Gunn, Michal Tarczynski, Cathal McEntee and Conall McManus.Image 4 of 11
Peter Flynn took first place in Classical Guitar.Image 5 of 11
Jay Newman, a third year student, won the U16 brass competition playing the 2nd movement of Joseph Haydn’s trumpet concerto.Image 6 of 11
The Band ‘Bruite’. From left: Odhran McKernan, Benni Gaffney-Schlué, Ryan Mc Govern and Lucien Crowshaw-Neil. Absent from photo: Conall McManus and Michal Tarczynski.Image 7 of 11
The members of the band ‘Detached Grassbox’ were also runners up in a competition with stiff competition from 15 other bands. They delivered a very fine performance of the song ‘By The Way’ by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are (from left): Rowan Davis, Oisín Hilton, Shane Galligan and Ben Lynch.Image 8 of 11
Oisín Hilton & Louis McEntee were placed second in Piano Duet.Image 9 of 11
Conall McManus was named runner up in the Own Performed Song Competition.Image 10 of 11
Odhran McKernan came third in U16 brass.Image 11 of 11
Shane Galligan, Rowan Davis, Louis McEntee and Oisín Hilton accepting the 2nd place award in the second level orchestra competition for St Patrick’s College from adjudicator Elaine Kelly.St Pat’s students hit the high notes at major interschools music festival
The tradition of success at the Wesley Interschools Music Festival in Dublin continued for St Patrick’s College in Cavan when pupils took home several prizes following the competition earlier this year.
On Saturday, March 1, 45 talented students journeyed the well-trodden path to Wesley College for the fourth time since 2020. Representing the school were the orchestra, the small traditional Irish ensemble, two rock bands, a plethora of solo performers, and a piano duet, all competing with students from schools across the country.
The proceedings got off to a very good start with Jay Newman, a third year student, winning the U16 brass competition playing the 2nd movement of Joseph Haydn’s trumpet concerto.
Odhran McKernan placed third in this competition performing Scherzo by Ciarán Tackney.
The traditional Irish group had a fantastic day out. St Patrick’s College has won this competition on all four occasions on which they competed 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025. This year, the 12-member group beat traditional Irish groups from 16 other schools. They presented a very polished performance of contrasting Irish melodies and dance tunes, which greatly impressed the adjudicator Robert Harvey. This group included three first year students and this was a great start to their musical life in St Pat’s.
Peter Flynn had a very busy day at the festival winning first place in the O15 classical guitar competition, taking 2nd in the O15 rock guitar competition, highly commended in the U16 piano competition. He was also a member of the school orchestra, which placed second in its competition.
Oisín Hilton and Louis McEntee had a rewarding day, placing 2nd in the piano duet competition and highly commended in the O16 piano competition. Both were also part of the orchestra success; while Louis was also a member of the traditional Irish group, which placed 1st in their competition.
Caoimhín Cryan and Eoín Smith impressed with their strong performances on trumpet in the O16 brass competition and later contributed to the senior orchestra. Eoghan Gunn and Michal Tarczynski showcased exceptional talent with their interpretations of Debussy and Bach on saxophone before also joining the orchestra.
Additionally, Michal Tarczynski was a member of the Bruite band, who claimed the runner-up position in the U15 rock bands competition. Their rendition of Gerry Rafferty’s iconic ‘Baker Street’ received high praise and was met with great enthusiasm.
St Pat’s has a long and proud tradition of students creating original music and students Ben Lynch and Conall Mc Manus upheld this reputation having been awarded joint third place in the own performed song competition.
The last event of the day was the orchestra competition. For the second year in succession, St Pat’s achieved second place with the host college, Wesley, taking first prize. St Patrick’s College is very proud to have been the only orchestra outside Dublin to have competed in this competition. The 40-piece orchestra delivered a very polished rendition of the Farandole from George Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No 2.
Music teacher, Ciarán Tackney, who co-ordinated the project, congratulated the students and thanked all those who supported them.
“St Patrick’s College’s outstanding success at the Wesley Interschools Music Festival is a testament to the many individuals whose remarkable support made it all achievable. This includes the principal, Mr Seán Stack, as well as the school’s management, administrative, and teaching staff, the incredible instrumental tutors, the deeply supportive parents and the unwavering dedication and co-operation of the students involved,” he said.
He also thanked Eileen Tackney, who accompanied the soloists so well on the day, and teacher Gerard Gunn and all those who contributed in any way to this fantastic accomplishment.