Longford parish exceptionally proud of their performers at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024

Mullinalaghta had great representation at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 with competitions taking place on the weekend before last in Wexford, with many people from the area making the trip to the sunny southeast to see all the local musicians and dancers perform and compete. 

Mullinalaghta had interest in four separate competitions at the All-Ireland this year. 

Taking pride of place after receiving first place at the Leinster Fleadh in the Senior Piano Accordion was Jackie Callaghan, who put in a wonderful performance with four delightful tunes. Unfortunately, despite impressing the adjudicators and a full hall, this was not to be Jackie’s year to pick up the senior title, but we all know she will be back in 2025. 

Next up was double All-Ireland winning traditional musician Aoibhínn Lynch who was competing in the Under-18 Button Accordion competition. 

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Aoibhínn put in a brilliant performance on stage to a full house at the magnificent setting that is the National Opera House, and her performance saw her take home a well-deserved third place medal to Mullinalaghta having played brilliantly on her Paolo Soprani accordion. We know Aoibhínn is already looking forward to the Senior Box competition for 2025. Aoibhínn’s younger brother Cormac very narrowly missed out on his second All-Ireland title when he took second place in the Under-15 Sean Nós Dancing competition. 

A fantastic dance by Cormac had many in the packed hall in Wexford believing he would take another title, but his fine performance was rewarded with a still much coveted second place medal. 

Another  competitor with local connections was Mel Comerford, grandson of Pat and Sheila Keogh of Leitrim, and who is the son of Mullinalaghta’s All-Ireland winning solo singer Eilish Comerford (Keogh). Mel put in a great performance in the Under-12 Flute and was very unlucky not to take a medal after playing two brilliant tunes. 

Outside of the competitions many young traditional musicians from Mullinalaghta were to be found playing tunes among the large crowds on the sunny Wexford streets, with two of the area’s most promising young footballers, Cillian Leonard and Patrick Lynch, being seen on camera playing the button accordion and banjo respectively to a large audience.

Playing tunes not too far away from the boys to an equally large gathering were their near neighbours Maria, Lucy and Anna McHale on tin whistle, banjo and fiddle, and they were joined by the talented Emily Fitzpatrick on button accordion. The fantastic Mulfaul family were also seen playing music with Finn, Micheál and Fia enjoying the Fleadh. 

It is truly outstanding to see so many traditional musicians from such a small area as ours playing and competing with the best traditional musicians in the world at the national and international level. We are very proud of all the musicians that represented our small area this year in Wexford and are already looking forward to Wexford 2025.