Marie Claire and Louise Maxwell from Ballinagore and members of Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin branch getting ready for Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Westmeath County Fleadh returns to Castletown Geoghegan
The Westmeath County Fleadh returned to Castletown Geoghegan at the weekend for the first time since 2015, and what weather it was blessed with.
With the exception of a few damp hours on Sunday morning, it was a shirt sleeves weekend and that kept the mood and spirits high throughout.
Many weeks of planning and preparation culminated with chairperson, Enda Seery, officially opening the fleadh on Friday afternoon at the newly constructed GAA Centre.
The ceilí, set and sean-nós competitions took place there and after a marathon eight hours of polkas, slides, flings, jigs, reels and hornpipes, the curtain came down on a tremendous night’s entertainment.
Saturday was free from competitions but Comhaltas remembered past members and celebrated their cultural heritage with the Fleadh Mass. Everyone agreed that all of the contributors made the night special, but those who were there or those watching online will long remember the special performance of one Christy Dalton, who showed everyone all a thing or two about the rhythm of life with his sean-nós dancing.
The remaining competitions on Sunday were spread between the hall, the national school and the church, where competitors ranging in age from under 10 to over 70 took part in more than 30 events, finishing with the Ceilí Band/Grúpa Cheoil in St Michael’s Church on Sunday evening.
The organising committee, the volunteers, the local businesses and organisations and the community, worked together to make the fleadh a success.
Best of luck to those who have qualified for Leinster in July and for those who have not – keep performing, playing and enjoying your culture and pastimes. That is the most important part of any fleadh, said a spokesperson for Castletown Geoghegan Comhaltas.
Warming up before Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday were Brendan and Sharleen Doyle from Moate Branch.
Marie Claire and Louise Maxwell from Ballinagore and members of Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin branch getting ready for Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Aimee Whelan and her sister Éabha from Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin getting ready to take part in Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Therese Daly and her sister Ava warming up for various competitions prior to the start of Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Diobhán Farrell and Sandra O'Brien were in charge of registration at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Emilie Corrigan and Pat Nea from Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin Branch, were on administration duties at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Brian McGowan, Ballinacargy Branch, taking part in the accompaniment section at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
“The Singer and the song” Shane Heraty, Ballinagore won the senior mens english singing competition, singing Dick Stokes winning song “Mullingar 2022—The Homecoming”. Dick Stokes, Streamstown, was the winner of newly composed english songs at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday. Both Shane and Dick are members of Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin branch.
Amyn Foley Ballinbacargy Branch was 3rd in the under 18 fiddle at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Aoife O'Brien winner of the 12-15 flute competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Emma O'Brien winner of the 15-18 flute competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Sean Nally was entertaining visitors at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Noel and Niamh Nally Ballinea taking part in Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Willie Penrose getting some last minute tips on dodhran from music teacher Tom Flood at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Fodhla Corroon, Ethel Conry and Lynne Clarke all from Mullingar warming up their harps during Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday.
Taking part in the under 18 banjo competition on behalf of Ballinacarghy Branch, at Fleadh Cheoil na hIarmhí in Baile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagaáin last Sunday were Quyen Bartley and her sister Hui Fen both from Mullingar.
