GALLERY: Westmeath’s traditional talent takes centre stage at Leinster Fleadh

SHANE KING

Local traditional musicians and dancers enjoyed remarkable success at the Leinster Fleadh, held in Drogheda last weekend from July 11–13.

More than 2,000 competitors took part in what is the largest provincial Fleadh on the Comhaltas calendar, drawing participants from all 12 Leinster counties. Despite the high calibre of talent and stiff competition, it proved to be a hugely successful weekend for the lake county, with a significant haul of medals and trophies returning home to the midlands.

Competitions got underway on the Friday with ceili, set and sean-nós dancing taking place at various venues. Westmeath is renowned for its strength in these categories and secured many titles along the way.

Ballynacargy CCÉ led the charge in the dancing competitions, securing an impressive ten medals across various age categories. Among their standout victories were first place finishes in the U-18 mixed half set, the U-12 full set (ladies) and in the 12–15 full set (ladies). The Streamstown ladies set made a memorable return to competition, capturing the Leinster O-18 title with a seamless transition to the senior ranks.

In the senior sean-nós dancing competition, it was a true family affair as the Dully family from Moate CCÉ swept the podium, taking all three top spots. While the family has long been a presence in sean nós dancing, this marked the first time they competed directly against one another, making their achievement all the more special.

By Saturday and Sunday, Ballymakenny College was filled with the sounds of jigs and reels as music competitions took over. The standard of performance was exceptionally high, and Westmeath competitors delivered standout results across both junior and senior categories.

Ballynacargy CCÉ continued their winning streak with gold medal performances from Marty Hanley (O-18 mouth organ), Aoife Dunleavy (12–15 mandolin), and Grace Lambden (U-12 accompaniment). Thomas Reynolds added a second U-12 Leinster title to his name, winning in the miscellaneous category on the bouzouki, following last year’s success on the banjo.

Representing Ballymore CCÉ, Aoife Hickey upheld the area’s proud fiddle tradition with a gold medal in the U-12 fiddle slow airs.

Westmeath’s strong tradition in singing was prominent once again, with gold and silver medals earned across several age categories. Among the standout achievements was Dick Stokes of Castletown Geoghegan CCÉ, who has become renowned for his songwriting, added yet another Leinster title to his name in the Newly Composed Song in English category. In the 12–15 English singing men category, Darragh McCabe also struck gold in what was a debut performance for him at provincial level.

The grúpa ceoil competition is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the Fleadh Cheoil, showcasing top-tier ensemble playing. Mullingar CCÉ fielded three groups across the U-12, 12–15, and 15–18 age categories. While all three groups delivered excellent performances, the competition was fierce, with groups from Wexford and Laois taking the top spots.

Ballynacargy CCÉ returned to the senior grúpa ceoil competition with high hopes, following a silver-medal finish last year. Under the expert guidance of Aine Ní Raghallaigh, the group delivered a powerful and polished eight-minute performance to a packed audience in Ballymakenny College's sports hall.

After a thrilling contest, Ballynacargy were named Leinster champions, an outstanding achievement in one of the most prestigious and competitive categories of the Fleadh. They now march on to the All-Ireland final in Wexford next month.

The céilí band competition is another highlight of the Fleadh Cheoil, and Westmeath was proudly represented by five talented bands flying the maroon and white. Following a strong showing at the county Fleadh in May, the bands from Moate CCÉ and Ballynacargy CCÉ brought their own distinctive styles to the provincial stage, making their branches and families proud.

It was the Tristernagh Céilí Band from Ballynacargy that caught the adjudicators' attention, earning an impressive third place in the U-12 competition in their very first year competing, a remarkable achievement for such a new band.

On Sunday evening, the Templeoran Céilí Band from Ballynacargy CCÉ returned to the stage as the final Westmeath group to perform, this time in the prestigious senior céilí band competition. Riding high from their earlier success in the grúpa ceoil, the young musicians delivered a lively and well-executed performance. Despite their excellent showing, the title ultimately went to the Cranhill Céilí Band from Wexford after a fiercely competitive final.

All eyes now turn to the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which takes place in Wexford in the coming weeks. A large and enthusiastic Westmeath contingent will be making the journey to the sunny south-east, eager to compete on the national stage and bring home All-Ireland honours.

Those placed 1st and 2nd at Fleadh Laighean have qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford. The Westmeath prizewinners from the weekend are as follows:

FIDDLE U-12:

2nd. Ellen Murphy, CCÉ Mullingar

ACCORDION 12-15:

2nd. John Reynolds, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

WHISTLE 12-15:

2nd. Aoife Dunleavy, CCÉ Ballynacargy

WHISTLE O-18:

3rd. Shane King, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

PIANO ACCORDION U-12:

3rd. Shay Hoey, CCÉ Moate

CONCERTINA O-18:

3rd. Caomhán Mac Gabhann, CCÉ Ballynacargy

MOUTH ORGAN O-18:

1st. Marty Hanley, CCÉ Ballynacargy

BANJO U-12:

3rd. Emily Evans, CCÉ Ballynacargy

BANJO 12-15:

2nd. Aoife Dunleavy, CCÉ, Ballynacargy

MANDOLIN U-12:

2nd. Emily Evans, CCÉ Ballynacargy

MANDOLIN 12-15:

1st. Aoife Dunleavy, CCÉ Ballynacargy

MELODEON 12-15:

3rd. John Reynolds, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

MISCELLANEOUS U-12:

1st. Thomas Reynolds, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

2nd. Ciarán Wallace, CCÉ Ballynacargy

ACCOMPANIMENT U-12:

1st. Grace Lambden, CCÉ Ballynacargy

FIDDLE SLOW AIRS U-12:

1st. Aoife Hickey, CCÉ Ballymore

2nd. Ellen Murphy, CCÉ Mullingar

DUETS 12-15:

3rd. John and Thomas Reynolds, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

CEILÍ BAND U-12:

3rd. Tristernagh Céilí Band, CCÉ Ballynacargy

GRÚPA CEOL O-18:

1st. Grúpa Naomh Odhrán, CCÉ Ballynacargy

ENGLISH SINGING (MEN) 12-15:

1st. Dara Mac Cába, CCÉ Ballynacargy

ENGLISH SINGING (MEN) O-18:

2nd. Shane Heraty, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

NEWLY COMPOSED TUNE (ANY AGE):

3rd. Davy Joe Fallon, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

NEWLY COMPOSED SONG IN ENGLISH (ANY AGE):

1st. Rísteard Dé Stóc, CCÉ Castletown Geoghegan

4-HAND CÉILÍ DANCING (LADIES) 12-15:

3rd. St. Lomans

FULL SET, LADIES U-12:

1st. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 1

2nd. Streamstown

FULL SET, LADIES 12-15:

1st. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 2

2nd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 1

3rd. Streamstown

FULL SET, LADIES 15-18:

2nd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 1

3rd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 2

FULL SET, LADIES O18:

1st. Streamstown

3rd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 1

FULL SET, MIXED U-12:

2nd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy - Team 1

FULL SET, MIXED O18:

2nd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy

HALF SET, MIXED U-18:

1st. CCÉ, Ballynacargy

HALF SET, MIXED O18:

2nd. CCÉ, Ballynacargy

FULL SET, MIXED (O35):

2nd. CCÉ, Castletown Geoghegan

RINCE AR AN SEAN-NÓS 15-18:

2nd. Caitlin Mac An Mháistir, CCÉ Clann Lir

RINCE AR AN SEAN-NÓS O18:

1st. Rían Dully, CCÉ Móta

2nd. Aoibh Dully, CCÉ Móta

3rd. Éirinn Dully, CCÉ Móta

STORYTELLING O-18:

3rd. Patrick Heduan, CCÉ Frank Gavigan