MUSICAL FAMILY.. Erin, Kerri and Conan Whitley who were successful at the Ulster Fleadh
IT’S All-Ireland Fleadh time in Sligo this week and, as is now traditional, Fermanagh is represented in 38 age group categories.
Comhaltas (CCE), the national body that promotes tuition and love in and for traditional music, song and dance, is thriving in the county, with seven branches.
Here, credit goes to the tutors who have organised classes through the branches, making the job that more difficult for the adjudicators attending this year’s Ulster Fleadh in Dromore.
There, first and seconds together with those finishing in third place who were recommended by the judges to compete in Sligo brought Fermanagh its biggest haul to date.
This was best exemplified by Botha (Derrygonnelly, Boho, Monea) winning the very competitive senior (over 18) ceili band title.
But, other branches also provided multiple winners, among them Irvinestown in the 12-15 and 15-18 ceili band sections, and in the under 12 and the 15-18 grupai cheoil (musical groups).
But, where there rivalry between branches within a county, the Lisnaskea and Derrylin branches combined to each provide a qualifier in the 15-18 duets.
The fleadh continues over the weekend.