Hitting the high notes

CLARE’S reputation as a stronghold of traditional music and culture was further enhanced last weekend when over 1,400 competitors participated in the annual county fleadh in Kilfenora. To put this into perspective, some counties have only one-tenth of that figure battling it out for top honours.
Over the weekend, there were 660 entries in solo, 660 entries in solo, duet and trio in music, singing and comhrá Gaeilge, while there were 42 dancing sets and 40 bands.
Not only were there a record number of entries but such is the high standard in Clare in a number of competitions that many second and third finishers go through to the Munster Fleadh.
The crowds that attended all through the weekend were amongst the biggest at county fleadhanna in recent years.
The Clare Fleadh, being held in the historic North Clare village for a third successive year, was officially launched in the Burren Centre in Kilfenora last Wednesday night by fiddle player, Siobhán Peoples, granddaughter of the legendary leader of the old Kilfenora band, Kitty Linnane. Thursday night saw the first of the four céilithe held during the weekend.
John Morgan, chairman of the organising committee, expressed his satisfaction on a very successful fleadh. He said the highlight of the weekend was the Kilfenora Céilí Band playing for the open-air céilí in the square on a fine Sunday afternoon, which attracted a huge crowd.
Mr Morgan said everybody in the community felt an enormous sense of pride in hosting the fleadh and noted the event has a natural home in Kilfenora.
An event that attracted a lot of attention was a regular Riches of Clare concert on Friday in the historic surrounds of Kilfenora Cathedral, which featured Padraic O’Reilly, James Devitt. Anthony Devitt and Noel Donoghue.
The party didn’t end of Sunday night, however. A number of sessions in all local pubs on Monday night brought the curtain down on the Clare Fleadh for 2011.

Results
flute U-9 1 James Kelly CCÉ Corra Finne; U-9 1 Noel O’Gorman CCÉ Naomh Mhichil; U-9 1 Eve McMahon CCÉ Cill Fhionnurach; concertina U-9 1 Katie Elger CCÉ An Tulach; piano U-9 1 Áine Ní Sheanáin CCÉ Corra Finne; fiddle U-9; 1 Cliona Donnellan CCÉ An Tulach; U-9 1 Rionach Feritear CCÉ Tradraighe; banjo U-9; 1 Darragh Whelan Barefield; mandolin U-9 1 Luke O’Neilan CCÉ Corra Finne; U-9 girls’ set dancing 1 Damhsoiri na Boirne Foireann A; U-9 mixed set dancing 1 Hell for Leather Óige; tin whistle band 1 Ceol na nÓg; fiddle U-12 1 Paul Farren CCÉ, Clochliath; 12-15 1 Jennifer Markham CCÉ, Cr na hInse; 15-18 1 Alisha McMahon CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; senior 1 Eamonn Mac Mathuna CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; accordion U-12 1 Aislinn Hehir CCÉ, An Tulach; 12-15 1 Gearoid McNamara CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Daithí McCarthaigh CCÉ, Corra Finne; senior 1 Vanessa Millar CCÉ, Naomh Mhichil; flute U-12 1 Keeva McHugh CCÉ, Craobh na Coradh; 12-15 1 Fergal Breen CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 15-18 1 Bríd Ní Chillín CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; senior 1 David Crowe CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; tin whistle U-9 1 Noel O’Gorman CCÉ Naomh Mhichil;U-12 1 Diarmuid Donnellan CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; 12-15 1 Amy Duggan CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; 15-18 1 Marian Curtin CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; senior 1 Una Hogan CCÉ, Cr na hInse; piano accordion U-12 1 Arlene O’Sullivan, Kilmaley; 12-15 1 Siobhán Ní Cheallaigh CCÉ, Tradraighe; senior 1 Elvie Miller CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; concertina U-12 1 Lily O’Connor CCÉ, An Tulach; 12-15 1 Aisling Lyons CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Aoibheann Queally CCÉ, Croisin; senior 1 Aisling McMahon CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; uileann pipes U-12 1 Sean Lyons CCÉ, An Tulach; 12-15 1 Fergal Breen CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 15-18 1 Mairtín Ó Coighligh CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; senior 1 Siobhan Hogan CCÉ, Cr na hInse; harp U-12 1 Cara Ní Chiarba CCÉ, Cr na Sionna; 12-15 1 Aisling Lyons CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Eimear Coughlan CCÉ, An Tulach; senior 1 Gerard Coughlan CCÉ, An Tulach; mouth organ 15-18 1 Ivanna Nic Mhathuna CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; senior 1 Pauline Callinan CCÉ, Croisin; banjo U-12 1 David Hegarty, Ennis; 12-15 1 Cathal Ó Corbáin CCÉ, Corra Finne; 15-18 1 Sean Kennedy CCÉ, Cr na hInse; senior 1 Killian Shannon CCÉ, Corra Finne; mandolin U-12 1 Eoin Beirne CCÉ, Clochliath; 12-15 1 Cathal Ó Corbáin CCÉ, Corra Finne; 15-18 1 Sinead O’Donoghue CCÉ, An Tulach; senior 1 Killian Shannon CCÉ, Corra Finne; piano U-12 1 Sean O Dochartaigh CCÉ, Droichead an Chláir; 12-15 1 Fergal Breen CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 15-18 1 Siobhan Nic Fhearraithe CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; senior 1 Elvie Miller CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; melodeon 12-15 1 Clár Ní Chatharnaigh CCÉ, Corra Finne; senior 1 Vanessa Millar CCÉ, Naomh Mhichil; bodhran U-12 1 Arlene O’Sullivan Kilmaley; 12-15 1 Shane McInerney CCÉ, Corra Finne; 15-18 1 Daithí Ó Corbáin CCÉ, Corra Finne; senior 1 Eamon McMahon CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; mixed instruments U-12 1 Donal Ó Criodáin CCÉ, Craobh na Coradh; 12-15 1 Ciarán Ó Cillín CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; 15-18 1 Conor Ó hEarcáin CCÉ, Corra Finne; senior 1 Killian Shannon CCÉ, Corra Finne; drums U-12 1 Mike Kirwan CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 12-15 1 Daniel Landers CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Tara Ní hAmhlaigh CCÉ, Cill Fhionnurach; senior 1 Eamon McMahon CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; accompaniment U-12 1 Caitriona Ní Ghormáin CCÉ, Naomh Mhichil; 12-15 1 Sinead Mulqueen CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Eimear Coughlan CCÉ, An Tulach; senior 1 Elvie Miller CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; fiddle slow air U-12 1 Isobel Elger CCÉ, An Tulach; 12-15 1 Fionnula McAodh CCÉ, Corra Finne; 15-18 1 Aine Griffey CCÉ, Cill Fhionnurach; uileann pipes slow air 12-15 1 Fergal Breen CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 15-18 1 Mairtín Ó Coighligh CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; senior 1 Siobhan Hogan CCÉ, Cr na hInse; flute slow air U-12 1 Nathan Garrihy CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; 12-15 1 Fergal Breen CCÉ, Doora/Barefield; 15-18 1 Marian Curtin CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; whistle slow air U-12 1 Chloe Ní Riain CCÉ, Má Rua/An Cheapach; 12-15 1 Ciarán Ó Cillín CCÉ, Laichtín Naofa; 15-18 1 Orlagh Kennelly CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; senior 1 Siobhan Hogan CCÉ, Cr na hInse; harp slow air U-12 1 nna; 12-15 1 Cathal Keane CCÉ, Inis Cathaigh; 15-18 1 Eimear Coughlan CCÉ, An Tulach; duet U-12 1 Paul Farren/Sean O’Doherty CCÉ, Clochliath/Droichead an Chláir; 12-15 1 Caolainn & Aislinn Meaney CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; 15-18 1 Aoibheann Queally/Kevin Kearney CCÉ, Croisin/Corra Finne; senior 1 Aisling & Alisha McMahon CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; trio U-12 1 Laura Chaplin/Lydia Hayes/Laura Donoghue CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; 12-15 1 Roisin Considine/Katie Whelan/Brian Clancy Cree/Doonbeg/CCÉ Inis Cathaigh; 15-18 1 Eimear Coughlan/Marian Curtin/Francis Cunningham CCÉ, An Tullach/Laichtin Naofa/Croisin; senior 1 Mark Burke/David Crowe/Niamh Casey CCÉ, Inis Diomáin/Kildysart; célidh band U-12 1 Burren Band CCÉ, Corra Finne; 12-15 1 Tulla Jnr Ceili Band CCÉ, An Tulach; 15-18 1 Tulla Jnr Ceili Band CCÉ, An Tulach; senior 1 Ceoltoiri na Mainistreach Ennis; music group U-12 1 Burren Group CCÉ, Corra Finne; 12-15 1 Tigh na Coille CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; 15-18 1 Inis Óg CCÉ, Corra Finne; senior 1 Tigh na Coille CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; singing in Irish girls’ U-12 1 Niamh Ní Cheannabháin Drumquin; girls’ 12-15 1 Sinead Quinn CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; boys’ U-12 1 Tim Hannon CCÉ, Lios Uí Chatasaigh; boys’ 12-15 1 Cathal Ó Catháin CCÉ, Inis Cathaigh; singing in English girls’ U-12 1 Aoife Daly Killaloe; girls’ 12-15 1 Sinead Quinn CCÉ, Cr na Coradh; girls’ 15-18 1 Sarah Cunningham CCÉ, Croisín; women’s senior 1 Vanessa Millar CCÉ, Kilmihil; boys’ U-12 1 Rory O’Halloran CCÉ, Croisin; boys’ 12-15 1 Stephen Mullins Kildysart; boys’ 15-18 1 Brian O’Halloran CCÉ, Croisín; senior 1 Aodán Coyne CCÉ, Cr na hInse; whistling U-12 1 Laura Chaplin CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; senior 1 Aisling McMahon CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; lilting U-12 1 Laura Chaplin CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; 12-15 1 Fionnuala McAodh CCÉ, Corra Finne; 15-18 1 Therese McInerney CCÉ, Inis Diomáin; newly composed dance tune 1 Josephine Marsh; Irish conversation 9-11 1 of 5 Cáit Ní Dhonnchu CCÉ, Oirthear an Chláir; 15-18 1 of 5 Josh O Lochlainn CCÉ, Clochliath; Girls’ eight-hand céilí dance U-12 1 Ui Ruairc; girls’ four-hand céilí dancing U-12 1 Ui Ruairc A CCÉ; girls’ four-hand céilí dancing 12-15 1 Ui Ruairc CCÉ, girls’ set dancing U-12 1 St Mary’s CCÉ, Lissycasey; 12-15 1 St Claire’s CCÉ; 15-18 1 Rinceoiri Beoga CCÉ; senior 1 Cois Ceim CCÉ; mixed set dancing U-12 1 Damhsoiri na Boirne Foireann A CCÉ, Cill Fhionnurach; 12-15 1 St Martin’s CCÉ, Lissycasey;  senior 1 Drithle an Iarthair;  O-35 1 Ruagairi an Chláir CCÉ.