PICTURES | Longford Fleadh winners from John Dungan CCÉ honoured at presentation night

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A great crowd gathered in the Pikers Lodge Gowna on Friday night February 9 for the John Dungan Comhaltas annual awards ceremony to recognise the brilliant achievements of its members at Fleadh 2023.

The event saw 56 of the branch’s musicians and dancers recognised for their success at the Longford Fleadh in April 2023, while an amazing 24 of them went on to further success at the Leinster Fleadh in Dublin, with a further 10 of these going on to claim medals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

The ten All Ireland medallists were made up of nine young dancers claiming a 3rd place (Full Mixed Set Dancing, St. Guasachts) and one of the branch’s musicians picking up an All-Ireland Title in Mullingar.

The wonderful Cavan Box player Fergus Bogue was on hand on the night to play a few tunes. Fergus is a virtuoso of the button accordion; his mastery of the instrument has captivated audiences worldwide.

Fergus also presented 32 of the branch’s winners from the Longford Fleadh with a beautiful silver custom handmade pin from the wonderful Piece Makers in Co. Derry. The small but mighty adornment included the branch’s logo and serves as a wearable expression of the winner’s passion for traditional Irish music. Handcrafted, the pin possesses a unique charm and character that represents the North Longford CCE branch.

The Branch’s own Elaine Reilly who is one of the foremost tenor banjo players of her generation and in high demand as an accomplished and much sought-after performer and tutor, presented each of the branch’s 24 Leinster Fleadh winners with a beautiful gold custom handmade pin from Piece Makers.

Elaine also presented the Branch’s nine young All Ireland dancers; Lorcan Flynn, Jennifer Drake, James McDonagh, Caoimhe Corbett, Riona Drake, James Denneny, Oisin Reilly, Kate Cadam and Sean Costello with a specially made commemorative plaque to mark their achievement at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar.

Co. Offaly’s Attracta Brady presented the branch’s All Ireland winner Aoibhínn Lynch with a special commemorative plaque to mark her All-Ireland achievement.

Attracta who is a much-celebrated musician and Comhaltas member, her family from Killeigh in Co. Offaly, are one of the many great contributors to the rich heritage of traditional music and culture in Offaly. The much sought-after cup which Aoibhínn won for her newly composed tune, is named in remembrance of Attracta’s late father, John Brady, a great flute player and composer from Co. Offaly.

Attracta commenced her presentation to Aoibhínn by complimenting the wonderful crowd that was in attendance, stating it is brilliant to see so many here, and so many young trad musicians and wonderful dancers enjoying traditional music. With Mairead O’Farrell the branch’s Chair stating the tradition was in safe hands in North Co. Longford, thanks to the work and love for traditional music and dance by all the families present.

Attracta finished the night by complimenting the very talented Aoibhínn on her fantastic All Ireland winning tune, the Mullinalaghta Shout, with herself and Aoibhínn playing it and a final set of tunes to great cheer by the massive crowd present with the further help of Elaine Reilly, Fergus Bogue and Maria Ledwith.

John Dungan CCE Longford Fleadh Winners:
Aine Mulfaul, Micheal Mulfaul, Maisie Drake, Holly Kiernan, Anna McHale, Cara McDermott, Jennifer Drake, Saoirse Reynolds, Charlotte Brady, Kate Cadam, Riona Drake, Rose OCallaghan, Fionn Mulfaul, Aidan McDermott, Mia McGlynn, Donnacha Collins, Arlo Cremin, Saoirse Collins, Annie Drake, Patrick Lynch, Norah Drake, Saidbh Flynn, Amber Fitzpatrick, Shauna Rose McGivney, Cillian Leonard, Maria McHale, Emily Fitzpatrick, Larah Mulligan, Eileen Boyle, Mary Reilly, Maria Ledwith.

John Dungan CCE Leinster Fleadh Winners:
Ava Donohoe, Lucy McHale, Cadhlagh Browne, Cormac Lynch, Mel Mulligan, Erin Flynn, Enya Higgins, Elaine Tully, Geraldine Hynes, Chantelle Higgins, Roisin Grant, Sara Jane Sheridan, Seanna Donohoe, Aine Fitzpatrick.

John Dungan CCE All Ireland Fleadh Winners:
Lorcan Flynn, Jennifer Drake, James McDonagh, Caoimhe Corbett, Riona Drake, James Denneny, Oisin Reilly, Kate Cadam, Sean Costello, Aoibhínn Lynch