Tried to get tickets on the Sunday but found they were all sold out! I missed it too but got the result which is as follows:-
First - Naomh Padraig (Co. Meath)
Second - Turlough Mor (Co. Clare)
Third - Inisfree (Co. Sligo)
Naomh Padraig must have been mighty to win as having seen the Turlough Mor triumph in the Roscrea Munster finals, I would have said they were unbeatable! I hope this band, who've now reached second place in four successive All-Irelands, hang on in there and give it another try as, in my opinion, they are definitely deserving of a place amongst the great céilí bands of all time.
The final was held in the Dome A tent from 8 to midnight. I got there at a quarter past nine (I had previously bought a ticket) just in time to see the Turlough Mor play.
I have friends in the band, and the hope of seeing them win was the main reason I was in Clonmel last weekend.
Sure, Naomh Padraig were good - a little fast, I thought - but then the quality of the final 4 or 5 bands is so good that I don´t envy the adjudicator`s job.
There were all sorts of theories going round amongst the band`s supporters as to why they were pipped at the post again, but I thought the members of the band took the decision very philosophically. The disappointment was much more keenly felt last year.
I have no inside information as to whether the TM will enter next year. There didn`t seem to be much enthusiasm for the idea on Sunday night, but a lot could happen between now and next summer.
The two possible venues for next year`s Fleadh seem to be Ballina and Letterkenny, although the buzz is that Letterkenny has the better chance.
Your praise is very heartening, Bannerman, and I know that the partner of one of the band members is a regular lurker on this site and your sentiments will be very encouraging. Sure you probably know them yourself anyway !
Mike
Letterkenny !!! how will anyone get there ?? fly into Derry or Carrickfinn ?? or a 5 hour drive from dublin ?
Eh ! dont forget Carrick Fleadh October Bank Holiday ...the only Fleadh that takes place after the competitions have finished !
I doubt whether the green jacket brigade will want the Fleadh Cheoil in Donegal ...the Comhaltas doesnt understand Donegal music ! do you know when the last Fleadh was held in Donegal ??
I think it was in Bundoran some time in the seventies.
I agree with you, Bottomcookie, that Letterkenny is a bit out of the way for the majority of fleadh-goers although, of course, it will be popular with those from that part of the country.
I don`t think I`ll be going. In any case there are so many towns and villages all over Ireland now with traditional music festivals, that I could quite happily do without the cowboy hat brigade, the all-permeating smell of rancid cooking fat from the fast food stalls and the overcrowded and often inaccessible sessions.
Mike
For the record the last All-Ireland fleadh in Ulster was Buncrana in 1979 and what a fleadh it must have been! Looking through an old Treoir which lists the results some of those who took honours were "Under 14 Fiddle" - Eileen Ivers, "Under 18 Fiddle" - Martin Hayes, "Under 11 Flute" - Séamus Egan, etc. Does anyone know whether any of these musicians are still playing music!!!
AB, It's about time the Fleadh was held in the North again. Do you realise how much of a pain in the arse it is for Ulster folk to get down to places like Clonmel or Listowel, only to be ignored by the CCE brotherhood when it comes to competition? When I think of all the Donegal fiddlers, Belfast pipers etc. who..... rant, rant, rant.
Anyway, Letterkenny for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2005!
Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
Did anybody get to the Senior Céilí Band Competition in Clonmel. What was it like? I'm really disappointed I missed it this year!
-Fidleir
# Posted on August 30th 2004 by mp3
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
Tried to get tickets on the Sunday but found they were all sold out! I missed it too but got the result which is as follows:-
First - Naomh Padraig (Co. Meath)
Second - Turlough Mor (Co. Clare)
Third - Inisfree (Co. Sligo)
Naomh Padraig must have been mighty to win as having seen the Turlough Mor triumph in the Roscrea Munster finals, I would have said they were unbeatable! I hope this band, who've now reached second place in four successive All-Irelands, hang on in there and give it another try as, in my opinion, they are definitely deserving of a place amongst the great céilí bands of all time.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Bannerman
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
The final was held in the Dome A tent from 8 to midnight. I got there at a quarter past nine (I had previously bought a ticket) just in time to see the Turlough Mor play.
I have friends in the band, and the hope of seeing them win was the main reason I was in Clonmel last weekend.
Sure, Naomh Padraig were good - a little fast, I thought - but then the quality of the final 4 or 5 bands is so good that I don´t envy the adjudicator`s job.
There were all sorts of theories going round amongst the band`s supporters as to why they were pipped at the post again, but I thought the members of the band took the decision very philosophically. The disappointment was much more keenly felt last year.
I have no inside information as to whether the TM will enter next year. There didn`t seem to be much enthusiasm for the idea on Sunday night, but a lot could happen between now and next summer.
The two possible venues for next year`s Fleadh seem to be Ballina and Letterkenny, although the buzz is that Letterkenny has the better chance.
Your praise is very heartening, Bannerman, and I know that the partner of one of the band members is a regular lurker on this site and your sentiments will be very encouraging. Sure you probably know them yourself anyway !
Mike
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by murfbox
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
"Adjudicators`" (for the grammar police)
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by murfbox
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
Letterkenny !!! how will anyone get there ?? fly into Derry or Carrickfinn ?? or a 5 hour drive from dublin ?
Eh ! dont forget Carrick Fleadh October Bank Holiday ...the only Fleadh that takes place after the competitions have finished !
I doubt whether the green jacket brigade will want the Fleadh Cheoil in Donegal ...the Comhaltas doesnt understand Donegal music ! do you know when the last Fleadh was held in Donegal ??
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by ArseBiscuit
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
I think it was in Bundoran some time in the seventies.
I agree with you, Bottomcookie, that Letterkenny is a bit out of the way for the majority of fleadh-goers although, of course, it will be popular with those from that part of the country.
I don`t think I`ll be going. In any case there are so many towns and villages all over Ireland now with traditional music festivals, that I could quite happily do without the cowboy hat brigade, the all-permeating smell of rancid cooking fat from the fast food stalls and the overcrowded and often inaccessible sessions.
Mike
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by murfbox
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
For the record the last All-Ireland fleadh in Ulster was Buncrana in 1979 and what a fleadh it must have been! Looking through an old Treoir which lists the results some of those who took honours were "Under 14 Fiddle" - Eileen Ivers, "Under 18 Fiddle" - Martin Hayes, "Under 11 Flute" - Séamus Egan, etc. Does anyone know whether any of these musicians are still playing music!!!
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by Bannerman
Re: Senior Céilí Band Competition - Clonmel
AB, It's about time the Fleadh was held in the North again. Do you realise how much of a pain in the arse it is for Ulster folk to get down to places like Clonmel or Listowel, only to be ignored by the CCE brotherhood when it comes to competition? When I think of all the Donegal fiddlers, Belfast pipers etc. who..... rant, rant, rant.
Anyway, Letterkenny for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2005!
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by Conán McDonnell