All-Ireland Fleadh 2005

         The branch had its most successful year to date at the All-Ireland fleadh. In the individual competitions Martin James Howley reigned supreme once again. He got first place in the 15-18 banjo and rogha ghleas competitions and a third place in the mandolin competition. Younger brother David is following hot on his heels, getting a second place this year on the 12-15 banjo, while he also competed in the mandolin and accompaniment competitions. Gerard Forde was probably one of the unluckiest competitors at the fleadh. In the 12-15 piano competition, he finished joint first and had to play again, only to lose out by the narrowest of margins. The branch also had a trio of Rosemary Burke, Cliona Hynes and Nicola Murphy competing in the Under 12 trio competition. They finished in the bronze medal position. For the first time ever the branch had success in the group competitions at All-Ireland level. In the 15-18 ceili band competition the branch band got second place, just losing out to the reigning champions from Ennis. This was probably the highlight of the weekend for the branch as most of this band has been playing together since the branch was formed in 1999 and many of them will be senior next year. The band consisted of Lourda Kennedy on drums, Ferdie Whelan on piano, Martin James Howley on banjo, Jack Sherry and Ciara Stapleton on Flutes, Clare Forde, Mary Connaughton and Siobhan Keane on fiddles, Edel Hynes and Lisa Whelan on accordions. The branch also had an Under 12 ceili band and a 15-18 Grupai Cheoil in Letterkenny. Both groups gave top class performances and were not too far off being placed in the medal positions. The Under 12 Band were Brian Harris on drums, Shauna Coppinger on piano, Maeve Forde on concertina, Nicola Murphy on accordion, Kate Forde on whistle, Niamh Regan and Katie Page on flutes, Peter Whelan, Cliona Hynes and Sheila Forde on fiddles. The Grupai Cheoil consisted of Clare Forde, Mary Connaughton, Jack and Kate Sherry, Emma Lahiffe, David and Martin James Howley, Brendan and Edel Hynes, Lisa Whelan, Niamh Regan, Caroline Murphy, Michael and Rosemary Burke, Ciara Stapleton, Niall Connaire.