'MINI FLEADH' and Final Class of the Year 2006
Saturday, April 1, 2006
On Saturday 1st April, Portglenone CCE Branch held their Under age 'Mini Fleadh' event which is an annual fixture in the local branches calendar. It is aimed at young musicians who are in preparation for the upcoming County Antrim Fleadh in May. This years County Fleadh will be held in nearby Dunloy thus quite a few local branch musicians are going to be making the short trip over to take part.
The competition takes the format of the normal Fleadh Cheoil's, the only difference being that it is mainly for Under 10 musicians but Over 10's can play for the experience. The main priority of the event is to give these young and enthusiastic musicians the chance to perform in front of an audience and an adjudicator. There are a variety of awards to be won ranging from the Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Mandolin and Accordion competitions. This year was no different to previous ones in that a few of the competitions were hotly contested for and a few difficult decisions had to be made before the final winners were selected.
The trophies were presented by Portglenone CCE Chairman, Tony Convery, at the last branch class on Monday 3rd April. Instead of the normal class, the evening took the shape of a concert in the hall of St Mary's Primary School, with each tutor and their students playing a few selected tunes which they have learned over the past year.
The awards were as follows:
The Most Promising Musicians Award and the Ballinasloe Trophy was presented to Roisin Kelly.
The Fr Felix McLaughlin Fiddle Cup for Under 10 was presented to Sephora O'Connell.
The Portglenone CCE Tin Whistle Cup for Under 10 was presented to Jack McLaughlin.
Congratulations to all the musicians who took part and made the 'Mini Fleadh' and the last class of the year very enjoyable for everyone especially the very nervous musicians who overcame their fears and played graciously. Many thanks to Kieran Convery for adjudicating and for Noreen Graham and Eamon Graham for helping out with the running of the event. Also, many thanks to local parish priest, Fr Aidan Keenan, for the use of the parish Loft where the 'Mini Fleadh' was held and to Mr Brady, Principal of St Mary's Primary School, for the use of the facilities over the year to hold the classes on Monday evenings. We look forward to their continued support next year.
The Most Promising Musicians Award and the Ballinasloe Trophy was presented to Roisin Kelly.
The Fr Felix McLaughlin Fiddle Cup for Under 10 was presented to Sephora O'Connell.
The Portglenone CCE Tin Whistle Cup for Under 10 was presented to Jack McLaughlin.
Congratulations to all the musicians who took part and made the 'Mini Fleadh' and the last class of the year very enjoyable for everyone especially the very nervous musicians who overcame their fears and played graciously. Many thanks to Kieran Convery for adjudicating and for Noreen Graham and Eamon Graham for helping out with the running of the event. Also, many thanks to local parish priest, Fr Aidan Keenan, for the use of the parish Loft where the 'Mini Fleadh' was held and to Mr Brady, Principal of St Mary's Primary School, for the use of the facilities over the year to hold the classes on Monday evenings. We look forward to their continued support next year.