Longford well represented at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Longford will be well represented this week in Mullingar as members of all three Comhaltas branches in County Longford, Joe Callaghan CCÉ, John Dungan CCÉ and Lios Breac-Longfoirt CCÉ, will compete at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Traditional music fans and exponents from across the globe descend on Mullingar all this week for the annual gathering of the finest of traditional musicians, singers and dancers.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 returns to Mullingar where the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was founded and the very first traditional music festival first was staged in 1951.

All of the Longford contingent who won 1st and 2nd place in the Leinster Fleadh in Grangegorman last July go on to represent their county and Leinster at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this week.

The following is the list of Longford participants.

PIANO ACCORDION FAOI 12: Ava Ni Donnchu, John Dungan, Longford; PIANO ACCORDION 15-18: Maria Nic Cionnaith, Joe Callaghan, Longford; PIANO ACCORDION O18: Cáit Ní Bheirne, Joe Callaghan, Longford; MOUTH ORGAN 12-15: Oran Lennon, Lios Breac - An Longfort, Longford; MANDOLIN FAOI 12: Lucy McHale, John Dungan, Longford; PIANO O18: Aine Fitzpatrick, John Dungan, Longford; MELODEON O18: Darren Culliney, Joe Callaghan, Longford Miscellaneous (O18) Cathal Culliney, CCÉ, Joe Callaghan, Longford; Accompaniment (O18): Cathal Culliney CCÉ, Joe Callaghan, Longford; BODHRÁN 15-18: Nadine Ní Gabhann, Joe Callaghan, Longford.

CÉILÍ DRUMS 15-18: Nadine Ní Gabhann, Joe Callaghan, Longford; FIDDLE SLOW AIRS 15-18: Tomás Ó Maolagáin, Joe Callaghan, Longford; UILLEANN PIPES SLOW AIRS O18: Seán Ó Scealigh, Ballymore, Longford; ENGLISH SINGING (LADIES) Faoi 18: Ava Ní Donnchu, John Dungan, Longford and Freya Lily O'Connor, Joe Callaghan, Longford; ENGLISH SINGING (LADIES) 15-18: Erin Ross, Joe Callaghan, Longford.

LILTING FAOI 12: Ava Ní Donnchu, John Dungan, Longford; Lilting, O18: Darren Culliney, Joe Callaghan, Longford; NEWLY COMPOSED TUNES, ANY AGE: Aoibhinn Ní Loinsigh, John Dungan, Longford; Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, 15-18: John Dungan, John Dungan, Longford - members are: Elaine Tully, Roisin Grant, Erin Flynn, Enya Higgins, Sara-Jane Sheridan, Chantel Higgins, Geraldine Hynes, Cadhlagh Browne; FULL SET, MIXED FAOI 12: Naomh Guasacht, John Dungan, Longford - members are: Lorcan Flynn, Oisín Reilly, James Denneny, James McDonagh, Jennifer Drake, Riona Drake, Caoimhe Corbett, Kate Cadam.

FULL SET, MIXED 12-15: Harp, Longford; RINCE AR AN SEAN-NÓS 12-15: Cormac O Loinsigh, John Dungan, Longford; COMHRÁ GAEILGE FAOI 9: Ava-Grace Ní Uiginn, Gaelscoil Longfoirt, Longford Andriú Ó Dúic, Lios Breac - An Longfort, Longford.

49J COMHRÁ GAEILGE 13-15: Sorcha Ní Mhaonaigh, Lios Breac - An Longfort, Longford STORYTELLING 15-18: Chloe Spollen, Joe Callaghan, Longford; Scéalaíocht, 15-18:Laoise Ní hÁinle, Joe Callaghan, Longford.

This is a great showing for Longford at this year's competition. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is far more than a music competition, it also serves as a celebration of traditional Irish culture and heritage.

The Leader would like to wish all those representing Longford the best of luck.