Galway competitors enjoyed an outstanding Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast last week, with musicians, singers and dancers from the county securing 11 first-place finshes and placing in the top three in 45 competitions during the festival.
Among the highlights was a remarkable double success for Lackagh CCÉ, with the Lackagh Céilí Band taking first place in both the Under-12 and Under-15 Céilí Band competitions.
Lackagh CCÉ featured prominently throughout the results, with Carraig Mór also claiming first place in the 15–18 Grúpaí Ceoil competition. There were numerous further top-three finishes for competitors representing the branch across instrumental, accompaniment and group competitions.
Amelia Nic Chonaonaigh, representing Oranmore CCÉ, won the Under-12 Whistle Slow Airs competition, while Shane McGinty of Tuam CCÉ took first place in the Under-12 Fiddle Slow Airs.
Another first-place success came in the piping competitions, where Tara Ní Baoighill, representing Dhúiche Sheoigheach CCÉ, won the 15–18 Uilleann Pipes competition. Tara also secured second place in the 15–18 Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs.
There was a particularly successful Fleadh for Jimmy Ó Curraoin of Maigh Cuilinn CCÉ, who achieved a double victory, taking first place in both the Under-12 Men’s Sean-Nós Singing competition and the 11–13 Irish Conversation competition.
Emma Ní Churraoin, also representing Maigh Cuilinn CCÉ, added another first-place result for the branch by winning the 15–18 Irish Conversation competition. She also placed third in the 15–18 Ladies’ Sean-Nós Singing.
Galway’s dancing representatives also enjoyed success. Ceara Nic Dhiarmada Nic Oirechtaigh of Tom Morrison CCÉ won the 15–18 Sean-Nós Dancing competition, while Corofin Set Dancers, representing Corofin Set Dancers CCÉ, took first place in the Over-35 Mixed Full Set competition.
