'MINI FLEADH' and Final Class of the Year 2010
22 March 2010
On Saturday 20th March, Portglenone CCE Branch held their Annual Under age 'Mini Fleadh' event which is aimed at young musicians who are preparing for the upcoming County Antrim Fleadh in May. This years County Fleadh will be held in Dunloy thus quite a few local branch musicians are going to be taking part.
The competition takes the format of the normal Fleadh Cheoil's, the only difference being that it is mainly for Under 12 musicians. 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.
Many thanks to Donal Savage for adjudicating our "Mini Fleadh" and this year was no different to previous ones in that a few of the competitions were hotly contested for and Donal had to make a few difficult decisions before the final winners were selected.
The trophies were presented by Portglenone CCE and new Ulster Chairman, Eamon Graham at the last branch class on Monday 22nd March. 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 Portglenone CCE Tin Whistle Cup was presented to Niamh Wray.
The Fr Felix McLaughlin Fiddle Cup was presented to Erin McIvor.
The competition takes the format of the normal Fleadh Cheoil's, the only difference being that it is mainly for Under 12 musicians. 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.
Many thanks to Donal Savage for adjudicating our "Mini Fleadh" and this year was no different to previous ones in that a few of the competitions were hotly contested for and Donal had to make a few difficult decisions before the final winners were selected.
The trophies were presented by Portglenone CCE and new Ulster Chairman, Eamon Graham at the last branch class on Monday 22nd March. 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 Portglenone CCE Tin Whistle Cup was presented to Niamh Wray.
The Fr Felix McLaughlin Fiddle Cup was presented to Erin McIvor.
The Most Promising Musicians Award and the Ballinasloe Trophy was presented to Caitlin Convery.
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 brilliantly.
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 brilliantly.
Many thanks to local parish priest, Fr Henry McCann, for the use of the parish Loft where the 'Mini Fleadh' was held and also to Mrs Milner, the 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 in the new school buildings.
Also included in this report are photographs of our classes with their tutors in the current St. Mary's PS School building which is to be demolished soon. St. Mary's PS Principal, Mrs B Milner, has confirmed that the Classes can continue to run in the New School Buildings in September.