WATCH: Wonios from St Louis won over by Mullingar's charms

If Fáilte Ireland were looking for ambassadors to promote Mullingar in the US they should give the Wonio family from St Louis a call.

For the second year in a row, young fiddle player Madeline Wonio has travelled to Mullingar to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with her family in tow.

Last year's fleadh was the first that Madeline competed in and she had such a good time with her family in Mullingar that she she decided to come back again.

“I just love it [Mullingar]. I came here last year, so we came back for a reason.”

Madeline, who is competing in the 12-15 fiddle competition on Friday, is accompanied this year by her mother Casey, younger singer Analise and grandmother Pat.

Proud mother Casey told the Westmeath Examiner that while they have Irish heritage, Madeline is the first member of her family to play traditional Irish music.

“She wanted to do Irish dancing when she was in first grade. There is a school in St Louis that does dance and music and they make you play an instrument. She had played traditional violin so it was easy for here to get into.”

Like her daughter, Casey says she and the rest of her family enjoyed their stay in Mullingar at last year's fleadh so much that they were determined to come back again.

“We loved it. That's why we came back. It's a super cute town. It has a good feel to it.”

Video by Shane King.