Success for Newcastle at Ulster Fleadh

Success for Newcastle at Ulster Fleadh

NEWCASTLE Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) enjoyed success at the recent Ulster Fleadh.

This year’s Fleadh returned to the town of Dromore, County Tyrone, for the second successive year to celebrate traditional music, song, stories and dance.

Competitors gathered from all corners of the province to compete for the Ulster titles and the chance to represent themselves, their branch and county at the All-Ireland Fleadh.

Once again Newcastle CCÉ branch was well represented with members competing in a range of competitions.

“It was a brilliant weekend of craic agus ceol and the organisers can be truly proud of work well done,” said Newcastle CCÉ chairwoman Roisin Howell.

“Well done to all who took part. They have done themselves, their teachers, parents and branch very proud.”

The All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will now be held in Sligo from August 10 to 17 and Newcastle CCÉ will be there to support its members in various music, singing, comhrá and composition competitions.

Anyone interested in learning a new instrument, traditional song, set dance or Irish language can register with Newcastle CCÉ on the following dates: Thursday, September 4 (7pm-9pm), Saturday, September 6 (10am-12noon) and Thursday, September 11 (7pm-9pm).

Numerous classes are held in the Lodge Cultural Centre, Castlewellan on Thursdays from 4.15 to 9.30pm and again on Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm.

The Newcastle CCÉ results for those qualifying for the All-Ireland Fleadh are as follows: Niamh Howell, Niamh Bloomer and Matthew McAstocker, 1st, Trio (15-18); Ruairi Howell, 1st, Pipes (12-15); Caitlin Bloomer, 1st, Miscellaneous (Oboe, 15-18); Ruairi Howell, 1st, Pipes Slow Air (12-15); James and Jack McAstocker, 1st, U12 Duet (Under 12); Ruairi Howell, 1st, Whistling (12-15); James and Jack McAstocker and Ruairi Howell, 1st, Trio (12-15); Conor McVeigh , 1st, Storytelling (Under 12); Cormac Hyland,1st, Uilleann Pipes (Over 18); Paul Rush, 1st, Ceili Band Drums (Over 18); Darragh McCrickard, Qualified, U18 Comhrá Gaelige; Grupai Cheoil, 2nd, (Over 18); Jack McAstocker, 2nd, Concertina (Under 12); Matthew McAstocker, 2nd, Uilleann Pipes (15-18); Niamh Bloomer, 2nd, Fiddle Slow Airs (15-18); Niamh and Ruairi Howell, 2nd, Duet (15-18); Caitlin Bloomer, 2nd, Whistle Slow Airs (15-18); Terry Cowan, 2nd, Newly Composed Song; Miadhachlughain O’Donnell, 3rd, Flute Slow Air (12-15); Cormac and Eimear Hyland, 3rd, Duet (Over 18); Caitlin Bloomer, 3rd, Flute Slow Airs (15-18).