Four All-Ireland titles for Cavan and over a dozen medals
Cavan competitors took medals in 17 competitions last weekend at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford in what was a respectable medal haul for the county with most CCE branches featuring.
Leading the charge for the Breffni county was Ellen O'Brien from the Killeshandra branch. She is the All-Ireland Senior flute champion for 2024 but Ellen also brought home silver medals for slow airs in both whistle and flute.
There were eight gold medals going back to Mullahoran CCE as their mixed eight hand ceili dancing team (12-15) were also victorious.
Oisín Flynn was the pride of Milltown when he came first in the piano (15-18) for his local comhaltas branch.
The tradition of lilting in the Breffni county, for many years nurtured by the late lilter Seamus Fay, continues.
Naoimi Smith took gold in the 15-18 age group for Cavan Town CCE.
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Naomi Smith, Cavan Town CCÉ, winner of the Mary McAndrews Memorial Cup for Lilting (15-18 years). Photo by Anna Allen PhotographyImage 2 of 10
Oisín O’Floinn, Milltown CCÉ, winner of the Rouse Jewellers Cup for the Piano (15-18 years). Photo by Anna Allen PhotographyImage 3 of 10
Tom Creegan, Cavan Town CCÉ, 3rd, Button Accordion, U12. Photo by Anna Allen PhotographyImage 4 of 10
Eimear Nic Chába, Cavan Town CCÉ, 3rd, Céilí Drums, 15–18 years. Photo by Anna Allen PhotographyImage 5 of 10
Ruairí Griffin, Ballymachugh, won three medals in Wexford. He got silver in Miscellaneous 15-18; and 3rd in Flute and also Whistle Slow Airs. Ruairí is a member of Dr Brian Galligan CCÉ.Image 6 of 10
Members of Mullahoran CCÉ are All-Ireland Champions - 12-15 Mixed 8 Hand Ceili.Image 7 of 10
Members of Mullahoran CCÉ are All-Ireland Champions - 12-15 Mixed 8 Hand Ceili. They are Orna Higgins, Lorcan Flynn, Shauna Galligan, Killian Leddy, Bridgin Galligan, Rían Higgins, Kara Gibney Columb and Tommy Nannery.Image 8 of 10
Charlie O’Reilly from Mullahoran placed 2nd in Men’s English Singing (12-15). He is a member of Nyah CCÉ.Image 9 of 10
Sinead Halton, Mullahoran CCÉ, came 3rd in Senior Accompaniment. Her musicians were Aaron Glancy (left) and Seamus Tierney (right).Image 10 of 10
The McGibneys from Cornafean all won medals at the All-Ireland Fleadh for storytelling. Doireann placed third in 12-15; dad Michaee came second in the Senior category; while Áine also place 2nd in 15-18. They are all members of Cavan Town CCÉ.Over 500,000 people thronged the streets of Wexford over the nine-day traditional Irish music festival.
At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers, singers and story tellers of all ages and backgrounds competing at All-Ireland level, following victories at regional competitions. This year over 1,500 competitors played, sang or danced for All-Ireland titles in 153 competitions.
Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with over 500 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.
Wexford has been chosen to host the 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from August 3-10 next year.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) announced on Monday that the bid by the town to host the Fleadh for the second year in a row has been a success.
It will be the sixth time the southeast county has hosted the popular festival, which is the world’s largest celebration of Irish trad music, language, songs and dance.
The last time the Fleadh Cheoil was held in Co Wexford was in 2000, in Enniscorthy.
Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council said: “It has been such a pleasure to host the Fleadh this year and we certainly are looking forward to 2025.
Memories have been made that will last a lifetime and the legacy of the Fleadh is the increased interest in traditional Irish music, song and dance that will last for generations to come.”
For all the results and further details on the Fleadh and competitions, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie