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Great results for All Ireland Fleadh 2008

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John Egan Festival 2008 (New)

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The Battle of the Books

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Fiddler of Dooney competition

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All Ireland Fleadh Results 2006

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See a video of Fred Finn and Peter Horan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceol na nÓg Sligeach:

The Battle of the Books

 

a suite of music composed by Michael Rooney

Sligo musical group Ceol na nÓg performed the premiere of show The Battle of the Books in The Southern Hotel Sligo 

The group comprise young Sligo musicians and dancers in what was a spectacular production. The production is a specially-commissioned music and dance show composed by Sligo harper and composer Michael Rooney.

The Battle of the Books

Saint Colmcille copied a book while a guest of St. Finian. Finian claimed the copy as well as the book, but Colmcille refused. The dispute was brought to the High King of Ireland whose edict was: ’To every cow its calf and to every book its copy’. In consequence, in 561 AD, the High King and Colmcille engaged in battle on the slopes of Benbulben. Aided by an angel, Colmcille won. Thousands of men were slain and the King forced to concede the copy of the psalter to Colmcille.

 

Its premiere took place on Saturday, November 25, in the Sligo Southern Hotel at 8pm. This performance was the highlight in a concert that included musicians Michael Rooney and June McCormack, musicians from the Sligo Academy of Music and its director Niamh Crowley.
Over 40 of Sligo’s finest young musicians and dancers experienced the excitement of premiering an original composition based on one of Sligo’s greatest pieces of folklore.

The evening included a wine and finger food reception while proceeds went to Ceol na nÓg and Sligo Academy of Music.

Ceol na nÓg Sligeach was formed last January to support and develop the talents of young musicians in Sligo and to provide various forums to showcase their music.

It is comprised of the best of the emerging traditional musicians from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branches in Sligo and Leitrim and young classical musicians of the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfonietta Orchestra. They commissioned Michael Rooney to compose The Battle of the Books suite.

The Mary Gallagher School of Dancing is renowned for producing prize-winning dancers at national and international competitions

Performers on the night:

Draiocht

featuring Michael Rooney and June McCormack

Sligo Acadamy of Music

Flute Ensemble and Sinfonietta Orchestra

Ceol na nÓg, Sligeach

featuring over 40 traditional/classical musicians and dancers

Tel. +353-(0) -71-9162962 or +353-(0) -71-9142990

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Click below to view and hear  our prize-winning  Grúpa Cheoil, which was managed by June McCormack and also a snippet from the Battle of the Books performance. 

 

Play 

(Requires Windows Media Player)

(about 8 mBytes)

 

 

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Great results for Fred Finn Branch competitors att All Ireland 2008

What a great year it has been for the Fred Finn Branch in 2008. This year at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Tullamore, the Branch captured the blue riband competition , the Senior Ceili band competition. The Innishfree Ceili Band powered to victory. Not only that, but our other ceili band, The Dartry came 2nd in the same competition. Certainly this is a historic occasion for the Fred Finn Branch.

In our junior section Anne Marie Bell won the Concertina 12 -15 competition. This is the 3rd time that a Sligo competitor has won an All Ireland concertina competition. It is the 2nd time that a member of the Fred Finn Branch has won an All Ireland concertina competition. Kate Ruane being the previous branch winner.  Congratulations Anne Marie!!
Clíona Nic Éinrí  was also a winner when she won the Whistling U-12 competition for the 2nd year in a row. As well as that great win,  Clíona came 3rd in the English Singing U-12  Well done Clíona
Another 1st prize winner in Tullamore was Pádhraig Ó Gabháin.  Pádhraig won 1st prize in the  Comhrá Gaeilge 11 -13. As well as this, Pádhraig also got  3rd place in the Button Accordian U-12 competition. Well done Pádhraig.

Another Senior moment in Tullamore was when our Senior Grúpa Cheoil got 2nd place in their competition. Well done to all involved.

Well done also to Niamh Ní Fhearghail who got silver in the Flute Slow Airs 15 - 18

Heartiest congratulations also to the Kelly trio consisting of Hannah, Nell & Jos who also won silver in the Trios 12-15

Our young 12 -15 Ceili Band were also medal winners when they achieved 2nd in the 12 - 15 age group. Well done to all the band, their teachers and parents.

Congratulations to Tomás Ó Gabháin who got a silver medal in the Comhrá Gaeilge U-9

Congratulations to Elsa Kelly got 3rd in the Flute 15-18 competition and also to Hannah Duffy & Déirdre Farrell  who got 3rd in the Duets 12 -15

Apart from the Fred Finn C.C.E. prize winners, there were wins for other Sligo competitors as follows.

Ballymote C.C.É.

Well done to Caoimhe Ní Chiaráin who won the Lilting 15 -18 and to her older brother who also got first in the senior lilting. Cian also came 3rd in the Bodhrán 0-18, 3rd in  Irish Singing Men O -18

Cian Ó Ciaráin, Caoimhe Ní Chiaráin & Sean Farrell 2nd Trios O-18 (Ballymote)

South Sligo Ceili Band 3rd U-12 (Ballymote).

 

 

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